Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham knows that the team he has now could look different in the future, but he is embracing his current group just the same.
At the half of L.A.'s summer league loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Ham told reporters that they loved everyone on the roster. We're going to try to get better with the group that we have until you're not on it. The bottom line is what matters.
I don't know a player that hasn't been part of a trade rumor at some point in their career. It's what it is. The nature of our business makes it that way. I'm proud of the guys on our roster and we want to maximize everything they can do to help us get to that ultimate goal.
If the Lakers attempt to run it back with the same core of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook that, in their first season together, contributed to one of the most disappointing campaigns in franchise history, Ham's vote of confidence can only help him with player relationships down the road.
That is a large if.
The Lakers' summer league squad might have been on the court playing the Suns, but all eyes were on the sideline at Thomas & Mack Arena, where James and Westbrook couldn't have been closer to each other.
James sat on the south baseline with his agent, Rich Paul, and Lakers executive administrator, Randy Mims. The Lakers' bench was next to the opposite sideline.
Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka walked over to greet James after the first and second quarters. Pelinka and the L.A. star covered their mouths with their hands as they talked.
With the Lakers engaged in trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets and the Indiana Pacers, the positioning of James and Westbrook was notable.
Several Lakers players made their way to James.
The two superstars stayed in their corners, with James leaving after the third quarter and Westbrook leaving at halftime.
The summer schedule has made it difficult for him to build camaraderie among the marquee names in the Lakers.
This is a good time of year. There is a baby on the way." These guys have a lot of work to do. They're working hard. Russ is wearing clothes. There are a lot of things going on with the basketball player. We have been locked in communication. It's difficult when guys have other things to do. They do a good job of staying connected whenever I need them and whenever I need thoughts from all three of them.
While James and Westbrook were far away, they had an impact on the game, particularly with Pippen Jr., who signed a two-way contract with L.A. last month.
Pippen led L.A. with 19 points, but also had five turnovers, as the Lakers' defense focused on him as their primary point guard.
"He gave me some pointers and I used them," Pippen said of the advice he received from the man.
James helped lift Pippen off the floor after he absorbed contact at the rim in the first half and fell near his feet.
"That was cool, but he threw me up a little too high," Pippen said.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
