Dane Johnson, the Lakers’ summer league coach, shrugged off James’ early offensive woes.

“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.”

Johnson, who primarily coaches Los Angeles’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, was asked about James potentially spending time in the G League next season.

“I don’t know about that yet, so I can’t really comment on that,” Johnson said. “But I think all these guys are going to be in the G League at some point — the draftees.”

Dalton Knecht, an L.A. rookie taken with the No. 17 pick, led the Lakers with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting (5-for-11 from 3), 6 rebounds and 4 assists against the Rockets.

LAS VEGAS — Bronny James says he will welcome any assignment in his first season as a professional, as long as it comes with a chance to play and improve as a basketball 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.

James was asked about the possibility of spending time in the G League after Houston’s Cam Whitmore, the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft, finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

As a rookie, Whitmore played 13 games for Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and averaged 26.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

After scoring a quick six points to put Los Angeles up 13-10 midway through the first quarter against Houston, James struggled on offense the rest of the way, finishing with eight points on 3-for-14 shooting (0-for-8 from 3) with three turnout.