EL SEGUNDO, CA – OCTOBER 2: Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on October 2, 2023 in El Segundo, California #28. Notice to User: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photo, User agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
With the end of the 2023-24 season for the Los Angeles Lakers, the journey to the 18th championship in team history has officially begun. There’s still a long road ahead, but after weeks of lull, fans finally have something to talk about.
There will be plenty of news for the Lakers as the team prepares for the start of the regular season in training camp and the preseason. It’s truly a moment of insight into the team when results don’t matter at all.
Fans already know a lot about this team before they take the field in preseason games. There are several exciting (and interesting) storylines that fans should keep an eye on before the team’s first preseason game this Saturday.
Lakers news roundup:
- Davin Hamm revealed that he knows who the Lakers’ fifth starter for the 2023-24 season will be, but has not revealed it yet. Hamm will have several candidates to consider, with the eventual winner set to start alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reeves and D’Angelo Russell. Jared Vanderbilt appears to be the fans’ choice.
- LeBron James has brought Rui Hachimura under his wing and has nothing but praise for the young forward. LeBron said Hachimura He was the only teammate to “follow” him this summer, and he even went to practice with James.
- Rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino has been eye-catching in the early stages of training camp. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves both raved about JHS, and Ham said no one would object if he called JHS the Day 1 MVP.
NBA news roundup:
- The Athletic’s Sam Amick reports that the Clippers offered the 76ers a salary-filling package, an unprotected starter and the potential for James Harden this summer. Pick exchange. The Sixers reportedly rejected the offer and offered Mann, while the Clippers did not offer Mann during the initial negotiations.
- Joel Embiid has committed to play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. LeBron James publicly leads the way to the Olympic roster, while Embiid joins Kevin Durant as another superstar trying to compete.
- The Chicago Bulls are unsure if guard Lonzo Ball will play for the team again, according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier. Ball has undergone multiple surgeries on his knee and has not played in a game since January 2022. Ball will miss the 2023-24 season, but he has a player option for the 2024-25 season.