Darvin Ham gets last laugh on Lakers as new team steals key wing

The Los Angeles Lakers are having a rough offseason. They brought back LeBron James, but the GOAT was willing to take a pay cut if the franchise could add a difference-maker. The Lakers struck out, and they have a full roster with Dalton Knecht and Bronny James as their biggest upgrades.

Los Angeles hopes new head coach J.J. Redick can maximize their roster. The Lakers made the conference finals in 2023 with virtually the same cast. Keeping LeBron James and Anthony Davis healthy is their top priority. The Western Conference is loaded with talent, but do not count out LA. They can be in the mix if everything breaks correctly.

The Lakers lost a key role player on July 3, and it hurt even worse when fans found out he was leaving to join former head coach Darvin Ham’s new team.

Darvin Ham gets the last laugh as the Bucks steal Taurean Prince from the Lakers

LeBron James taking a max contract pushes the Lakers into the second apron. He may still take slightly less to keep them out of it, but the franchise was rumored to be interested in bringing Prince back on a two-year deal. It was one of the simplest ways for LA to get more talent on their roster for the 2024-25 season. They certainly need depth on the wings, and the 30-year-old played 27.0 minutes per game last season.

The Bucks swooped in and agreed to sign Prince on July 3. They needed a starter after former Laker Malik Beasley entered free agency, and Prince was willing to take a minimum contract for the increased role.

Prince reunites with Darvin Ham in Milwaukee. The former Lakers head coach agreed to be the lead assistant under Doc Rivers next season. The Bucks figure to be back in title contention and desperately needed a wing upgrade. Prince will see plenty of action and should be a key piece for Milwaukee in 2025.

The Lakers were willing to offer more money, but Taurean Prince turned them down. Klay Thompson did the same in what is becoming a nightmare offseason for the iconic franchise. The Lakers are reliant on a first-year head coach and a rookie wing to make them title contenders. Los Angeles should be healthier next season, but that and two inexperienced upgrades is not enough to turn them into an elite team.

Darvin Ham got the last laugh on the Los Angeles Lakers. He quickly found a new job on a championship contender and stole a key free agent from his former team. Ham is in a superior position to compete for a title next season, and the Lakers hope they can figure out some way to improve their roster. So far, it has been nothing but airballs for LA.