Bronny James: Ready for any level with Lakers after summer

Los Angeles Lakers latest signing Bronny James said he is ready for any level with the team after the summer. The Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the second round of the draft. 

Bronny, 19, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per game in his lone season at USC. But he was sidelined for five months after suffering a cardiac arrest.

However, James is shooting 6-for-26 overall (23.1%) and 0-for-12 from 3 in three summer league games. The youngster is open to suggestions and wants to improve as a player.

“I’m just looking forward to any basketball I play, no matter what level I’m playing at,” James said after the Lakers’ 99-80 loss to the Houston Rockets in Los Angeles’ opening game in the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday.

“I just feel like I’m in a little slump right now,” James said.

Against the Houston Rockets, James finished with eight points on 3-for-14 shooting (0-for-8 from 3) with three turnovers despite getting off to a good start.

Dane Johnson, the Lakers’ summer league coach backed James to have a long career and improve along the way.

“Shoot, he’s going to have a long career,” Johnson said. “This is just the beginning. We just keep instilling [confidence], keep that in their heads. So we’ve got a long way to go.

“I don’t know about that yet, so I can’t really comment on that,” Johnson said when asked if James will spend time in G league next season. “But I think all these guys are going to be in the G League at some point — the draftees.”

Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, James’ agent, said he had no interest in his client joining any NBA team on a two-way contract.

“I got the word out early to teams that if you plan on bringing Bronny in, here’s what you need to know: If you won’t give him a real deal, there’s nothing to talk about,” Paul told ESPN. “It’s hard to get real development on a two-way deal.”