Is Jimmy Butler right about Towns and Wiggins?

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to part ways with Darvin Ham in the near future, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Ham was hired by the Lakers in 2022 to replace Frank Vogel.

“My sense is nothing has changed on that front in terms of the Lakers’ plans. As we reported, the Lakers wanted to do their due diligence over the 24 to 72 hours or so after being eliminated. And really just think it over, make sure they were not making a rash decision.

“I think they caught a lot of flak for how the Frank Vogel situation happened where he was essentially fired at the buzzer and had to do a press conference with us and he was asked about it. It was just a really awkward situation. The Lakers didn’t formally announce it until the next morning and then tried to say that was how it all played out.”

The Lakers conducted their exit interviews immediately after their loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, but Rob Pelinka has yet to address the media.

“The latest I’ve heard is the plan is still to move on from Darvin at some point, likely by the end of the week. Potentially as early as [Thursday]. Then, the head coaching search will start. I’ve already started to hear some names from different people… From what I’ve heard over the last couple of days, the plan is still to move on from Darvin.

Joel Embiid was asked by Rachel Nichols over the weekend at Vegas Summer League for his reaction to James Harden opting into his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers with the intention of being traded away.

“Disappointed,” said Embiid. “But then again, I also understand it’s business, people make decisions and I’m more appreciative of the way he’s handled the whole situation. We’re gonna be boys forever. Want him to come back obviously, so we can go out and accomplish what we want which is to win a championship. So hopefully his mindset can be changed. But other than that, I’m just so happy to be his friend. We’re close and we’ve grown since he got here and that’s what I’m excited about. And I’m excited to keep that friendship for the rest of our lives.”

The Sixers and Harden have been at a stalemate as they wait for his trade market to develop. While it was initially reported that Harden has likely played his final game with the Sixers already, there has been some follow-up reporting that they hope he remains with the team.

Embiid and Harden spent time together at two recent parties hosted by Michael Rubin since the start of free agency.