Media by Associated Press – FILE – Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic looks to pass the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ziaire Williams, front, and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game April 7, 2022, in Denver. Jokic and the Nuggets agreed Thursday, June 30, to a $264 supermax extension, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the player nor team announced the agreement. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Darvin Harm spent 15 years as an assistant coach before getting the call to lead the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2022-23 season.
While the Lakers’ roster featured Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James at his hiring, Los Angeles has tried to make changes before the season starts. Talking at the NBA Summer League Friday, Ham said he loves what the team has.
Ham will be happy to coach this team if the roster stays the same. What Ham and the Lakers’ will need is the above players to stay healthy. Only Westbrook — who suited above for 78 games — played a majority of the games.
James played 56 games, and Davis played 40 last season as Los Angeles missed the playoffs last season with a 33-49 record, which put the Lakers in 11th place in the Western Conference.
Top 5 showdown
While the Summer League is more about gaining experience and less about results, top pick Paolo Banchero, who was selected by the Orland Magic, earned a small victory over Jabari Smith Jr., who was chosen No. 3 by the Houston Rockets. Many people believed for much of the offseason that Smith, who is 19 and played at Auburn, would be the top pick.
However, Banchero moved late on draft boards and was ultimately chosen first. In his Summer League debut, Banchero scored 17 points, grabbed four rebounds, and handed out six assists to help Orlando beat Houston 91-77. Smith put up 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the loss.
Looking for a new home
Recent reports are that the Portland Trailblazers will release 12-year veteran guard Eric Bledsoe. Bledsoe was traded to Portland from the Clippers last season but never ended up playing a game for the Trailblazers due to injury. During his career, Bledsoe has played in 756 games between stops with the Clippers, Suns, Bucks, and Pelicans.
He has a career average of 13.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. In 54 games with the Clippers last season, Bledsoe averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.
Staying a mile high
Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic continued his excellent play last season, becoming the first center to win back-to-back MVPs since Moses Malone did in the early 1980s.
Jokic was the first player to average 25 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists for an entire season. Jokic was also the first player to record 2,000 points, 100 rebounds, and 500 assists in one year.
As a result of his success, Jokic was signed to a multi-year contract extension. The agreement between the two sides was a five-year, $264 million supermax extension.
Golden State adds depth
The Warriors added some depth to their roster Friday, signing former Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo.
DiVincenzo was a member of the Bucks’ team that won the 2021 NBA Finals but was only able to play in three games of the playoff run due to injuries. Last season, DiVincenzo was traded to Sacramento for the second half of last season.
DiVincenzo, who also won a national championship with Villanova in 2018, is a former first-round pick. So far in his career, he has averaged 9.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
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