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Lakers Rumors: Rasheed Wallace Will No Longer Join LA

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Lakers' Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham

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Lakers’ Rob Pelinka and Darvin Ham

A four-time All-Star and NBA champion is reportedly out of action for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.

According to a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic on July 25, Rasheed Wallace will not be joining the staff of new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.

“Following further talks, former NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace will no longer be joining the staff of new Lakers coach Darvin Ham,” Charania said. “Wallace was an assistant under Penny Hardaway at the University of Memphis last season.”

Charania reported on June 6 that Wallace “was recently identified as a candidate for Ham’s staff.” Ham and Wallace won the 2004 championship together at the Detroit Pistons over the Lakers, who missed the playoffs last season despite LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook.

Since retiring in 2013, Wallace has gained coaching experience in high school, college, and the NBA, with stops at Charles E. Jordan High School in North Carolina, the University of Memphis, and the Pistons.

Wallace finished his NBA career averaging 14.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 1,109 games with the Washington Bullets, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Pistons, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

Kevin Garnett was excited about Wallace at Lakers

Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett was thrilled that Wallace was joining the Lakers. On June 11, Garnett spoke about Wallace’s potential impact on James and Davis.

“My dog ​​Sheed Wallace on the couch with big Ham. I think this is great for this Laker team,” Garnett said further KG certified. “I think Anthony Davis needs an influence he can have. Someone in his ear. Listen, Rasheed Wallace is one of the best fucking power forwards and players that has ever played in our league. He’s full of knowledge. He’s got that knowledge not shared with the world but I talk to him several times about basketball he is nothing short of a genius and a mastermind when it comes to the block he understands everything from both sides of the ball when it comes to scoring and defending “I think he’ll be great for Anthony Davis. I think he’ll be great for LeBron James. I think he’ll be great for this Laker team. Straight up and down.”

During his introductory press conference with the Lakers on June 6, Ham said Wallace was a “candidate” to join him in LA. It is unknown why Wallace will not be with the Lakers next season.

Lakers are still trying to trade Westbrook

The Lakers are still trying to trade Westbrook, who was second in the league in revenue and had the sixth worst effective field goal percentage last season. Charania reported on July 25 that “Utah, New York and Indiana are among the teams that have negotiated deals with the Lakers” involving Westbrook.

“Utah, New York and Indiana are among the teams that have discussed deals with the Lakers involving Russell Westbrook and design capital,” said Charania. “There doesn’t seem to be a deal imminent in those talks — as the general trading market is in the next two months of the off-season.”

Westbrook took his $47.1 million player option with the Lakers for next season. The 2016/17 MVP started 78 games last season, averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field, 29.8% from the arc and 66.7 % from the free-throw line.

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