Latest news with #Lakers
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks Linked to Ex-Lakers Star After Kyrie Irving News
Mavericks Linked to Ex-Lakers Star After Kyrie Irving News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After suffering a season-ending ACL injury back in March, there was a bit of uncertainty regarding Kyrie Irving's future with the Dallas Mavericks due to him having a $43 million player option to decide on this offseason. Luckily for Dallas, Irving chose to decline his player option to sign a three-year, $119 million contract to stay with the team (h/t Shams Charania of ESPN). Advertisement Now that their first big move of the offseason is complete, the Mavericks will look to continue bolstering their roster, which will likely include top prospect Cooper Flagg, who most believe the team will select No. 1 overall during Wednesday's draft. However, per the latest reports, the Mavericks have other moves in mind, including landing a former Los Angeles Lakers star. Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7), guard Kyrie Irving (11), and forward P.J. Washington (25).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images After missing out on the playoffs last season following their NBA Finals appearance in 2024, the Mavericks will look to get back to the big stage, and it all starts with making the right moves in the offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks are interested in Brooklyn Nets free agent guard D'Angelo Russell. Furthermore, Stein reported that the Mavericks are "now regarded as a leading suitor" for the former Laker. Russell began the 2024-25 season as a member of the Lakers before getting traded back to Brooklyn in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith. On the year, Russell averaged 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1 steal per game. Advertisement If the Mavericks were to land Russell, they would most notably reunite him with Anthony Davis, who the team acquired from the Lakers in the blockbuster trade involving Luka Doncic. As Dallas looks to become a playoff team once again, their offseason moves are going to be crucial to monitor, which may include adding Russell into the mix. Related: Lakers Eyeing Trade for Specific Player to Pair with Luka Doncic Related: Atlanta Hawks Player in Kristaps Porzingis Trade Posts Immediate Reaction This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Named Favorites to Land Ace Bailey After Jazz News
Lakers Named Favorites to Land Ace Bailey After Jazz News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a bit of a shocking move, the Utah Jazz selected Rutgers forward Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Bailey reportedly declined a workout with the Jazz prior to the draft, making the team's choice to select him a confusing one. Advertisement Furthermore, according to recent reports, Bailey is "having second thoughts about reporting to the Jazz" and reportedly did not fly out to Utah following the draft. "Reports surfaced that Ace Bailey is having second thoughts about reporting to the Jazz, which has forced the organization to address the situation," the Athletic posted on Friday. "The Rutgers product was clearly and visibly not happy being selected by Utah. But the Jazz did the necessary thing." Following the latest news surrounding Bailey's status with the Jazz, in another surprising turn, the Los Angeles Lakers (+235) have been named the favorites to land the 18-year-old if Utah opts to move him. Advertisement Alongside the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks (+350) have the second-highest odds to trade for Bailey despite selecting Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick. The Phoenix Suns (+400), Toronto Raptors (+450), and Miami Heat (+575) round out the rest of the top five. If Los Angeles were to trade for Bailey, that would add a lot of intrigue to the team. This offseason, the Lakers will look to bolster their roster and build around star Luka Doncic, whose first full year with the team will be next season. Pairing Doncic with a potential young star in Bailey would be exciting. Additionally, LeBron James has yet to make a decision on his $52.6 million player option this offseason. If he chooses to return to the Lakers, and if they were to acquire Bailey, the team would likely inch even closer to legitimate title contention. Advertisement Nothing is official yet, but Bailey's status in Utah will be worth monitoring this summer. If the Jazz decide to trade him, there will likely be a few teams interested in his services, and that may include the Lakers at the top of the list. Related: LeBron James Called to Retire by Former NBA All-Star Related: Jayson Tatum Makes Cooper Flagg Gesture After NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James Called to Retire by Former NBA All-Star
LeBron James Called to Retire by Former NBA All-Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA star LeBron James officially wrapped up his seventh season with the team and 23rd in the league. Advertisement With the offseason now officially here, James is a key player to keep an eye on. As has been the case for each of the past few seasons, there is some uncertainty about what his playing future will look like as the 40-year-old has a $52.6 million player option he must decide on this summer. As it stands, nothing is official. Recently, a former NBA All-Star provided his opinion on what the Lakers star should do and urged him to retire and finally call it a career. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23)Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Though it is safe to assume his best days are behind him, James has shown he can still produce at a high level. Last season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1 steal per game. However, despite another incredible season, retirement could still be an option for James, and that is exactly what former NBA guard Jeff Teague thinks he should do. Advertisement In a recent episode of the Club 520 Podcast, Teague urged James to retire, jokingly saying he is "tired." 'And Bron [LeBron James], this ain't no disrespect. You my favorite player, bro. I think you the GOAT all-time. But I'm tired, bro," Teague said about James potentially retiring. Regardless of whether James does retire this offseason or not, Los Angeles is in a good spot. They now have a full offseason with Luka Doncic on the team as they look to bolster their roster and re-solidify themselves as title contenders. Whether they will also have James past this summer or not remains to be seen. Related: Atlanta Hawks Player in Kristaps Porzingis Trade Posts Immediate Reaction Related: Mavericks Linked to Ex-Lakers Star After Kyrie Irving News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers and Austin Reaves are both motivated to find a long-term deal
One of the issues the Los Angeles Lakers have to resolve in the immediate future is the contract status of rising guard Austin Reaves. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season that he can turn down in order to become a free agent next summer, and according to a recent report, he is expected to seek a new contract that would pay him around $30 million a year. On Thursday, it was reported that he turned down a maximum contract offer from the Lakers that would've given him $89.2 million over four seasons. But according to ESPN, both sides do want to work something out in terms of a long-term deal. "In the summer of 2026, Reaves is eligible to sign a four-year, $98 million extension, or he can opt out of the final year of his contract, become an unrestricted free agent and be eligible for 25% of the salary cap for 2026-27. The Lakers made the offer, sources said, understanding that Reaves would turn it down, but the franchise wanted to show its interest in him nonetheless and would not have wanted to send the wrong signal by not offering it. Both sides, sources said, are motivated to find a deal next summer." Reaves has increased his production in each of the last three seasons. This season, he averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists a game and put up even bigger numbers following the arrival of Luka Doncic. He's now considered by many to be an All-Star level player, which has, in the minds of plenty of people, given the Lakers a "Big Three" of Reaves, Doncic and LeBron James.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
John Calipari Sends Strong Message About Lakers' Second-Round Draft Pick
John Calipari Sends Strong Message About Lakers' Second-Round Draft Pick originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers entered the NBA draft with only the 55th overall pick. However, on Wednesday morning, they made the decision to trade up from No. 55 to No. 45—before ultimately moving up again to secure the No. 36 pick. It quickly became clear they had a specific target in mind. Advertisement With that pick, the Lakers selected athletic two-way wing Adou Thiero from the Arkansas Razorbacks. Thiero was originally recruited out of high school by John Calipari and spent two seasons at Kentucky before following Calipari to Arkansas, where he had the best season of his collegiate career. Shortly after Thiero's name was called, Calipari took to social media to share a strong message about the player he helped develop—making it clear just how much belief he has in Thiero's NBA future "I'm so proud of how far Adou has come from a 5'11 9th grader to becoming an NBA player. Incredible journey. Forget what round he is drafted in he is a player they will look at and go 'how did he get drafted there that was a steal,' Calipari said. "We have had guys go in the second round or even undrafted that go on to have a great NBA career! He has what it takes mentally and physically to succeed in the NBA. Go do it Adou!" Thiero made significant strides during his college career. As a freshman, he didn't start a single game and averaged just 2.3 points per contest. That changed in his sophomore season, when he started 19 games and boosted his average to 7.2 points per game. Advertisement Then came the pivotal decision—he followed head coach John Calipari to Arkansas for his junior year, where he truly broke out. Thiero started 26 games and averaged 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. His growth as an athletic, two-way player made him an ideal fit for the Lakers, who are actively seeking versatile defenders who can run the floor and stretch the court. Former Arkansas Razorbacks forward Adou Thiero (3) Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images After being selected by the Lakers with the 36th overall pick, Thiero shared his excitement about joining one of the most prestigious franchises in NBA history. 'It feels good, dream come true, just happy to be here,' Thiero said. 'Playing for the Lakers too—that's a blessing for sure.' Advertisement As for his role under new head coach JJ Redick, Thiero made it clear he's ready for anything. 'Whatever Coach JJ needs me to do, I'm ready to go out there and do it. Just put me on the floor—I got you. I'm gonna go out there and do all the little things. Whatever needs to be done will be done.' Related: Auburn Reacts to Johni Broome Being Selected in Second Round of NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
