NBA News Roundup, Sunday, June 2nd: Lakers among contenders to sign James Harden, top draft prospect to undergo surgery and more

The NBA Finals are finally here, and Toronto's surprise Game 1 win over the Warriors is currently the talk of the basketball world. Yet, with the summer quickly approaching, there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away, and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, and a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

So, with plenty happening around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for June 2nd.

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Kemba Walker hints at Hornets stay

Kemba Walker is eligible for a supermax deal this summer

Kemba Walker will become a free-agent this summer, and following the Charlotte Hornets' failure to make the playoffs, the point guard has been linked with a move to the likes of the Lakers. However, during a recent interview with The Athletic, Walker expressed his desire to stay in Charlotte:

Charlotte’s definitely my first priority. That’s where I’ve been for eight years and that’s all I know. Not many people get a chance to play for one NBA team throughout their career. When I go on my Instagram, I see, ‘Kemba leave! Kemba get out of Charlotte!’ People don’t understand, when they say you need to go ‘here’ and win, that winning is not guaranteed anywhere.

Charlotte is my home, man. I’ve been there for eight years and it’s been the most amazing eight years of my life. My family, they love it. The fans love me. The organization has been great and gave me my opportunity.

A lot of people didn’t think I was going to become the player I am today, so I have to have that love for Charlotte and that is definitely the team I want to be with, for sure.

During the 18-19 season, Walker averaged 25.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Ja Morant to undergo minor knee surgery

Ja Morant is projected as the No.2 pick in the NBA Draft

The NBA draft is just two weeks away, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the projected No. 2 pick is set to undergo surgery on Monday:

Murray State guard Ja Morant -- the projected No. 2 pick in this month's NBA draft -- will undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Monday, league sources told ESPN. Morant is expected to be fully recovered in three to four weeks, sources said. The scope is designed to remove a loose body in his knee, sources said.

Ja Morant enjoyed a breakout season with Murray State, averaging 24.5 points and 10.0 assists per game. Despite his injury setback, the Memphis Grizzlies are still expected to select Morant with their No.2 pick - and the teenager is expected to become the team's new starting point guard.

Lakers among teams that could complete a deal for James Harden

James Harden averaged 36.1 points during the 18/19 season

The Houston Rockets were eliminated from the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors for the fourth time in five years, and ESPN is reporting that the Rockets will now listen to offers for their entire roster.

Experts are split as to whether the Rockets will actually trade James Harden, although Metro Bet is reporting that the Lakers are among the teams that have the trade pieces to complete a deal:

Trading Harden would give the Rockets unbelievable cap relief for sure. But these four quarters for a dime trades rarely work out for the team receiving the silver George Washingtons. Morey would need to be overwhelmed by a deal.

As for which teams could actually pull off a Harden deal, it's the usual suspects: the Celtics, the Lakers, the Knicks, the Sixers and Bulls. All of those teams have tradeable assets that the Rockets would covet under a massive rebuild.

During the 18-19 season, Harden averaged 36.1 points, 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game.