Los Angeles Lakers: 6 potential free-agent targets with ties to Darvin Ham

By Jason Reed | May 29, 2022

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Darvin Ham Assistant Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks talks with Wesley Matthews #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Toronto Raptors at Fiserv Forum on January 05, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raptors defeated the Bucks 117-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews doesn’t just have ties to Darvin Ham but he already has existing ties to the Los Angeles Lakers. Granted, his first stint with the Lakers was not that memorable but he is exactly the kind of player that the Lakers were missing this past season.

The Lakers didn’t have a single wing that could defend and provide consistent shooting on the offensive end. Los Angeles had shooters in Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony as well as defenders in the likes of Talen Horton-Tucker. They did not have someone who could do both.

Kent Bazemore and Trevor Ariza were meant to be those options for the Lakers but both crashed and burned in LA. Bazemore got a big role in the rotation early on and struggled immensely while Ariza missed time with an injury and was horrible once he returned.

Matthews may not be the same player that he used to be but he is still someone who can get minutes in a playoff rotation, playing good enough defense with the ability to hit a shot. He has had two different stints with Ham and we know that Rob Pelinka has no problem bringing back former Lakers.

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