Wolves’ DiVincenzo out indefinitely with toe injury

In recent days, it surfaced that that the Washington Wizards are talking trades involving Rui Hachimura. Following Saturday’s home win over the Orlando Magic, Hachimura offered his thoughts on his game and the trade rumors.

After tying his career-high with 30 points, Hachimura expressed confidence in his game.

“I just got to play my game. I know what I can do, and I can help the team to win,” Hachimura said. “It’s either here or another team. I can help teams.”

On the rumors, the fourth-year forward said he wants to go somewhere that he’ll be appreciated.

“I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,” Hachimura said. “And I want to be somewhere that loves my – likes my game, you know? I just want to be somewhere that trusts, believes in me. Just I can be myself – that’s my goal.”

Hachimura is eligible for restricted free agency this summer, with the Wizards or with a team that trades for him. When asked if he’s asked for a trade, Hachimura didn’t want to discuss those specifics and said, “No comment.”

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.