Ex-Kings exec suspected of embezzling $13M

Darvin Ham’s future as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers is in “serious peril,” according to Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Some close to the organization have indicated that Ham’s return next season is highly unlikely.

The Lakers plan to reassess the season over the next couple of days before reaching a decision.

Ham made several decisions throughout the season that caused doubt within the Lakers. For example, Ham benching Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell during a losing streak after the In-Season Tournament did not sit well with players nor the organization.

There was a sense that Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish were allowed to play through their mistakes, unlike Reaves, Russell, and Rui Hachimura.

Many within the Lakers felt that Ham rarely blamed his own schemes, game plans, or rotations.

Ham signed a four-year contract with the Lakers in 2022.

The New York Knicks are looking for ways to upgrade their rotation. New York would like to land a wing and potentially another big. That’s led a member of their front office to a couple of familiar faces.

The Knicks and Utah Jazz have talked a trade that would see Evan Fournier, Obi Toppin and draft picks sent to the Jazz for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt. Both Beasley and Vanderbilt were signed to their current contracts by Knicks assistant GM Gersson Rosas when all were member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Toppin would fill the Jazz goal of continuing to build around players under team control, while adding additional draft picks. Beasley and Vanderbilt would be rotation upgrades for New York as they chase a playoff spot.