NBA Rumors Roundup: Darvin Ham entertains the idea of playing LeBron James at the 5, LA Lakers could still retain their draft pick next year, and more - October 31st, 2022
The last 24 hours have seen a fair share of rumors surface from around the NBA. With the second week of NBA action in full flow, teams began to hit their stride as they rounded out into game conditioning.
A majority of the rumors in the last 24 hours see us based in the Western Conference. With specific emphasis upon the LA Lakers, we take a look at their current positional strategies and debatable aspects of their near future.
Meanwhile, other teams in the West such as the Phoenix Suns may be in a patch of trouble as a key player features on the injury report. Heading east, the Detroit Pistons are rumored to have ensured a key player stays with the side for the near future.
Meanwhile, concerns in the Brooklyn Nets locker room regarding a start teammate are addressed by their superstar.
With a lot of rumors to cover, let's dive right in.
Darvin Ham opts to play LeBron James at center this NBA season
The thought of LeBron James playing center hasn't been lost upon Lakers fans. However, carrying forward with former head coach Frank Vogel's strategy, new head coach Darvin Ham has entertained the notion of playing LeBron at center this NBA season.
Ham mentioned this after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Lakers played without Anthony Davis and Thomas Bryant. He said:
"Like we went small towards the end of the game, and that’s another lineup that I’m gonna play close attention to and take good looks at, with Bron at the 5. Having Russ cross-match with the opposing team’s bigs is something I’ma look at.
"It was a great rhythm to the game tonight, it just sucks that, I wish we could have some of those turnovers back, turn them into field goal attempts."
Darvin Ham seems to like playing LeBron James at center:
lakersnation.com/lakers-news-da… https://t.co/H71KBxmfzl
The LA Lakers enjoyed quite some success with LeBron James playing the 5 last NBA season. However, given the impact it has on a player's body, it may not be wise down the stretch.
LA Lakers could still retain their draft pick next year
A pivotal figure in the upcoming draft next season is 18-year old phenomenon Victor Wembanyama. Considering the amount of attention the French national has drawn in the NBA, it is widely expected that several teams are tanking for him.
While the LA Lakers aren't necessarily tanking for the Frenchman, they find themselves in a complicated position. Considering that they have a poor record at the moment, they have a solid claim in the lottery pick sweepstakes.
However, the pick for next season was part of a deal that went to the New Orleans Pelicans during the Anthony Davis trade. While this would likely give the Pelicans the pick via the Lakers, the Lakers can still benefit should the Pelicans opt not to swap the picks.
The Pelicans dont HAVE to swap with the Lakers this year. It's an option. They can be gentlemen and let the Lakers keep their potential number 1 pick. That would be BALLER of them, honestly.
However, this remains wishful thinking. With a talent like Wembanyama at stake, it seems highly unlikely.
Bojan Bogdanovic to sign extension with Detroit Pistons
With our first rumor coming out of the NBA's Eastern Conference, Croatian sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic agreed to a two-year extension with the Detroit Pistons.
Bogdanovic was acquired via trade with the Utah Jazz in the offseason. Considering the Jazz' attempt at a rebuild, Bogdanovic was a vital piece that was offloaded to acquire draft capital and young players.
Bojan Bogdanovic's two-year deal is worth up to $39.1 million dollars. This will also see him locked in with the side until the summer of 2025.
Bojan Bogdanovic Agrees To Two-Year, $39.1M Extension With Pistons Through 2024-25 Season basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/269207…
In the short span of time in Detroit, Bogdanovic has shown a lot of promise as a bucket-getter in the young squad.
As an ideal counterpart to Saddiq Bey and Cade Cunningham in the starting lineup, the Pistons certainly benefitted from Bogie's shooting against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
Deandre Ayton to miss at least a week of NBA action due to injury
In the West, the Phoenix Suns found themselves in a bit of trouble. With superstar big man Deandre Ayton sustaining an ankle injury, the Suns are likely to see him miss at least a week of NBA action.
Deandre Ayton to miss at least one week with left ankle sprain nba.nbcsports.com/2022/10/30/dea…
Ayton sustained the injury to his left foot after stepping on New Orleans Pelicans big man Jonas Valanciunas' foot on accident. After playing only eight minutes in the game, the Suns were required to play the rest of the game with Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo.
While the situation is concerning, Ayton is fortunate to get away with a minor injury. Considering the Suns' current position in the league, Ayton could also return at full strength while the team holds the fort down.
Kevin Durant assures people of Brooklyn's locker room state after Kyrie Irving's controversial remarks
Kyrie Irving finds himself in the media firing line once again as the Brooklyn Nets struggle to secure wins this NBA season. With Irving making some controversial comments on social media, the team were under a rather bright spotlight.
In this regard, ESPN reporter Nick Friedell hoped to gain some information from Nets superstar Kevin Durant. Upon asking Durant about the situation in the locker room after Irving's recent activity, Durant responded:
"Absolutely not. Only impacted you guys and everybody outside the locker room."
Nick Friedell: "Do you think anything that's gone on with Kyrie recently with what he posted and backlash he's faced from it has impacted the group at all?"
Kevin Durant: "Absolutely not. Only impacted you guys and everybody outside the locker room." https://t.co/TZM0Q0zmIN
The stance taken by Durant suggests that the Nets aren't affected by the current storm surrounding Kyrie Irving. But considering that Irving's comments could have further impact, Durant taking a backseat could be viewed negatively by some.