Latest news with #LakersNation
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Deandre Ayton talks about his relationship with Shaquille O'Neal
Deandre Ayton seems eager to prove himself now that he's a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. He said at his introductory press conference that he wants to improve his rim protection, something that has been a big letdown throughout his career, and that he wants to make his critics eat their words. He also revealed a somewhat surprising fact about his personal life that is Lakers-related. He said that he has a relationship with team legend Shaquille O'Neal that goes back to his days as a kid playing in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. Via Lakers Nation: 'Truly. It's the L.A. Lakers. I've been watching them all the time when I was younger as well,' Ayton said of the team's history when it comes to great centers. 'And just knowing the greats. One of the greats I do know is Shaquille O'Neal growing up. I had a good relationship with him. 'As a child growing up playing for EYBL teams, me and his son, Shareef O'Neal, and I've created that relationship with him. And playing in the playoffs and getting to talk to him, it's like 'Big Unc.' And we know how he had my back when I was winning as well. And just having that here is pretty cool.' As everyone knows, O'Neal was as dominant a big man as the league has ever seen. In eight seasons with the Purple and Gold, he averaged 27.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 blocks a game, and he and Kobe Bryant led the franchise to three straight NBA championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Ayton was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, and at seven feet and roughly 250 pounds, he was expected to be a sensation, especially given his 7-foot-5 wingspan and excellent athleticism. Even though he has solid career averages of 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds a game, there is a sense that he has been something of a disappointment so far as a pro. He may not get the opportunity to increase his scoring average, given the fact that the Lakers boast LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but he can greatly improve his reputation around the league by dedicating himself to becoming a plus defender.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Insiders: Rockets May Target Lakers' Wing As He Rejects $15.4 Million Player Option
NBA Insiders: Rockets May Target Lakers' Wing As He Rejects $15.4 Million Player Option originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Following the first-round exit in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers were anticipating a very active offseason amid contract negotiations, the NBA Draft, and free agency. They had two players who had to decide on their player options for the 2025-26 season this summer: LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith. James exercised his player option while Finney-Smith chose to reject it. Advertisement While James was anticipated to pick up that player option since the end of their 2025 playoff run, Finney-Smith declining his player option is more surprising considering his close bond with teammate Luka Doncic. Considering that Finney-Smith's market value is approximately in the range of $15-20 million a year, there are various potential landing spots for him. According to NBA Insiders Jake L Fischer and Marc Stein, the Houston Rockets are in the race to sign Dorian Finney-Smith. Free agency begins on the night of June 30th, when the Lakers can also enter negotiations with him for a potential extension. "The Houston Rockets have emerged as a viable free agent landing spot for Dorian Finney-Smith, league sources tell @TheSteinLine and me, after the veteran declined his $15.4 million player option for 2025-26 with the Lakers today," wrote Fischer on X. While Finney-Smith may have rejected his player option, a Lakers return is also possible, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Advertisement "Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith is declining his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season and will enter free agency, sources tell ESPN. Multiple contending teams are expected to pursue Finney-Smith beginning Monday night, and a Lakers return is possible." Assessing Dorian Finney-Smith's Fit On The Rockets Dorian Finney-Smith is a versatile defender and a 3-and-D wing who shot 40.8% from range last season, including his time with the Nets. Since he got traded, he played 43 games for the Lakers in the regular season and averaged 39.8% shots made from deep on 4.8 attempts per game. The Rockets recently traded away Dillon Brooks in their move for Kevin Durant. He was the best three-point shooter on the Rockets last season, especially among the high-volume shooters like Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green. He shot 39.4% from three-point range, while averaging 6.1 attempts per game. Only Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday had a better percentage than Brooks last season, but they averaged less than five attempts per game. Advertisement Therefore, Finney-Smith fit into the role that Dillon Brooks played on the Rockets last season. With Durant, they have already improved their scoring efficiency, but they need defensive wings like Finney-Smith to provide that necessary depth off the bench. He is not expected to get a starter role on the Rockets if he does join the team, but it may be the only genuine title contender in the market for him, a good fit for him as well, in my opinion. The Rockets could either sign him directly in free agency or offer draft assets and players in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers. It would be more likely in free agency directly, as the Rockets would prefer not to give any assets in order to get Dorian Finney-Smith on the roster. Related: NBA Insider: LeBron James May Request Trade After Picking Up $52.6 Million Player Option This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Perfect Lakers Trade Scenario To Land Young Player And Two FRPs For Austin Reaves After $246M Max Deal Rumors
Perfect Lakers Trade Scenario To Land Young Player And Two FRPs For Austin Reaves After $246M Max Deal Rumors originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers' offseason continues with more troublesome news as their star, Austin Reaves, has declined the four-year, max extension offered to him. While this was expected, considering he is worth a lot more in the market, this decision puts the Lakers in a very complicated position. Advertisement Reaves' contract is undervalued, currently set to earn under $14 million next season. When factoring in last season's averages of 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, all while shooting 46.0% from the field, he is a bona fide star. The 27-year-old's decision to decline the max extension sets him up to be a free agent in the summer. Reaves expressed his desire to remain with the Purple and Gold. This will allow the team to sign him on a new contract in the 2026 offseason. The Lakers can potentially offer him a five-year deal worth $246 million. This has major implications for the team, particularly due to Luka Doncic's pending contract extension and LeBron James' future outlook with the team. James is currently expected to opt in to the final year of his contract, rendering him a free agent next summer. If the Lakers' superstar comes off the books, re-signing Reaves at this value doesn't become as much of a challenge, especially with the additional spending power that the team will have thanks to their new owners. Advertisement In the unfortunate situation that the Lakers cannot do so, we take a look at a potential trade the Purple and Gold can try to swing to get the most out of his contract. Potential Trade Details Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Devin Vassell, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick San Antonio Spurs Receive: Austin Reaves This trade is beneficial for both teams involved. For the Lakers, this deal sees the arrival of a talented young player in Devin Vassell, along with two essential first-round picks. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs continue to build upon their extensive backcourt rotation by adding another star-caliber player. Advertisement The addition of Devin Vassell could bring major changes to the Lakers' overall starting rotation. The 24-year-old had seen a relative decline in productivity after falling out of the Spurs' main rotation and receiving fewer minutes. Regardless, he recorded an average of 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. He was impressive on the offensive front as well, shooting 44.3% from the field while knocking down 36.8% of his shots from beyond the arc. Vassell's creativity as an offensive player may not be on par with Reaves, but his ability to finish on plays may make him a better outlet option in this case. At 24 years old, he is also three years younger than the Lakers star, and with four years left on his contract, the Lakers will have some flexibility with managing their cap space after acquiring him. Meanwhile, the Lakers will also add two draft picks to their depleted reserves. Given the number of picks the Purple and Gold have used in trades, it would be a fortunate sight to see the team get some back in return. Although these only become relevant two years from now, the possession of draft capital is always a positive sight. Advertisement For the Spurs, acquiring Reaves could effectively transform the team from a playoff contender into a title contender. San Antonio features some incredibly talented players in the backcourt. From De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle to their rookie Dylan Harper, the Spurs are stacked in the guard position. While the addition of Reaves could theoretically pose problems for the development of players like Castle and Harper, it could also be invaluable to have him aid their development. The competition for the starting spot could see the two grow at a much faster rate, a positive sight for a young team. Reaves' versatility on offense would pair well with Fox, who often operates in the midrange. While the Lakers' star is also known to do the same, he has shown himself to be a capable three-point shooter even while playing off-ball. Reaves' ability to distribute and function in the pick-and-roll also makes him a solid partner for Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The one-two punch of Reaves and Wembanyama could have opposing defenses confused due to Reaves' ability to create shots for himself and the big man's ability to shoot the long ball. Advertisement San Antonio's roster since drafting Harper has looked interesting. With title aspirations in the future, adding Reaves would become a part of the overall picture, lending to the need of fortifying their frontcourt. While this trade wouldn't necessarily help the Lakers become title contenders, the Spurs could very well become a genuine threat as favorites in the West. Related: The Lakers' Dream Starting Five For The 2025-26 Season This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Analysts Break Down If DeAndre Ayton Can Solve The Lakers' Center Problem
NBA Analysts Break Down If DeAndre Ayton Can Solve The Lakers' Center Problem originally appeared on Fadeaway World. As the Los Angeles Lakers seek to address a glaring void at the center position, former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton has emerged as a potential trade target. But according to analysts Trevor Lane and Ron Gutterman on the Lakers Nation podcast, Ayton may not be the solution the Lakers are hoping for. Advertisement Ron Gutterman: "I think he's one of those guys that, theoretically, maybe. I'm not as high on the Nick Claxton fit as I think a lot of people would be, just because he doesn't quite have the frame to be a big body that goes toe-to-toe for thirty-five minutes a night with these other centers." "At the very least, Deandre Ayton has that frame, but he doesn't have much else in terms of defensively being able to go toe-to-toe with some of the better centers in the Western Conference. Offensively, he can do some things." "He's not the most dynamic. He doesn't have the highest motor. He's not really particularly special at any of the things you would need out of a center." "But I think, theoretically, because he's a bigger body, because he does have some post game, he is a lob threat in some ways. He does have some of the tools you're looking for. He's just not particularly great at any of them." Advertisement Trevor Lane: "You sound very hesitant to endorse the idea of going after a big man like Deandre Ayton. Ironically, taken first overall in the year that Luka was drafted third overall. The Lakers would have two of the top three picks in that draft class if they were to get Deandre Ayton. But I do agree with your concerns." "There's certainly motor concerns there. You see it when you watch the film. You see it in the numbers. That, I think, is a big red flag for me. It's the motor concerns you need. If you're going to be a big physical player, you're not going to really shoot the three." "He has dabbled with shooting the three a little bit, just not particularly effectively. By the way, he shot eighteen percent from three last season. Not good enough to really be a true threat out there." "But I do think you've got to be somebody that is really going to give all of the other things out there on the court, the rebounding, the hustle, making the intangible plays. I don't know that you're going to get that out of Dendre Ayton." Advertisement "But he is seven-foot-one. He is a big body. He is a negative deterrent at the rim. I mean, he negatively impacts opponents' field goal percentage at the rim — maybe not quite to the degree that we would hope." "But is this a case where, on a one-year contract — that's all he's got left on his deal, it's worth the risk for the Lakers?" Ron Gutterman: "This will be his age 27 season. The expiring contract, I think, is interesting only because there's almost no way he plays good enough next season to warrant another thirty-five million dollar multi-year contract." "So you are getting him at kind of the last year that he'll have this really expensive value, and you'll have the chance to probably sign him at a better rate next season. You'll have his bird rights to do that. Like, there's some intrigue there." Advertisement "But I do think that thirty-five point five million dollar figure is really daunting, to the point where I personally just don't see how it's worth the risk, given the fact that he doesn't do anything that the Lakers need their center to do well enough to do it at a thirty-five-minute-a-night level." Trevor Lane: "Like, if you had the option of trading for Deandre Ayton — and we'll get into what an Ayton trade would look like or sign a thirty-seven-year-old Brook Lopez to a one-year deal and use your full taxpayer mid-level, or Clint Capela, would you rather go that route than commit to Deandre Ayton being your starting center for at least this year?" Ron Gutterman: "Yeah, I would say definitely Clint Capela and probably Brook Lopez over Deandre Ayton at that number. Now, if Deandre Ayton was making eighteen million, we'd be having a much different conversation." "I'd say, yeah, let's just do this. This is worth the risk. But at thirty-five point five million, he becomes your third-highest-paid player by a lot, especially because of who you'd have to trade to get him. So he kind of and he just won't be able to produce at the level of the third-highest-paid player on a Luka–LeBron team." Advertisement On paper, Ayton seems like a reasonable fit. At 7-foot-1, he possesses the size and rebounding ability the Lakers sorely missed during their first-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds this season while shooting an efficient 56.6% from the field. However, both Lane and Gutterman emphasized that numbers don't tell the full story. Ayton appeared in only 40 games and delivered his lowest statistical output in four seasons. More troubling are the persistent questions about his motor, focus, and fit in high-intensity playoff situations. The financial cost is another major concern. Ayton is owed $35.5 million in the final year of his contract, making him the third-highest-paid player on a roster that already features Luka Doncic and LeBron James. So what would a deal for Ayton even look like? Lane suggested a framework built around Rui Hachimura's $18 million salary, combined with one or more players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, or Maxi Kleber. Even Shake Milton's smaller salary could be thrown into match contracts. Still, this would be a steep price for a player who has never truly lived up to the hype of a No. 1 overall pick. Advertisement In the end, the consensus was clear: Ayton is intriguing in theory, but the price tag and underwhelming impact make him a highly risky option. For a Lakers team trying to maximize LeBron's twilight years and Luka's prime, there may be smarter, more cost-effective solutions available. Related: Lakers Predicted To Acquire No. 8 And No. 36 Pick In 2025 NBA Draft In A 3-Team Deal This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Insider Lists Lakers' Potential TPMLE And Vet-Min Targets
NBA Insider Lists Lakers' Potential TPMLE And Vet-Min Targets originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The NBA's free agency period commences on Monday, and the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a couple of moves in it. Lakers Nation's Trevor Lane recently listed out the players he'd want the team to target with their taxpayer mid-level exception and for the veteran minimum. Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception: - Clint Capela - Brook Lopez - Luke Kornet - Bruce Brown - Kevon Looney - Jake LaRavia The Lakers need both a starter and a backup at the five, so it's no surprise that four of the six players listed here are centers. Let's have a look at each of them. Advertisement Capela averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Atlanta Hawks in 2024-25. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus has predicted that the Lakers would land Capela with the taxpayer mid-level exception, and his defense and rebounding are certainly something this team needs. We get to Lopez next, who has reportedly been a target for the Lakers for a few years now. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024-25. Lopez isn't a great rebounder, but he provides spacing, having shot 37.3% from beyond the arc last season. Lakers insider Anthony Irwin had also named Capela and Lopez as players the team was targeting for that backup center spot. These two are certainly worth keeping an eye on. As for Kornet, he averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Boston Celtics in 2024-25. He'd be a solid backup option, which was the role he played ever so well for the Celtics. Advertisement Looney was the last of the centers, and he averaged 4.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Golden State Warriors in 2024-25. He has spent all 10 seasons of his NBA career with the Warriors, but has seen his playing time go down lately. Perhaps a parting of ways is finally on the cards, and Looney, with his championship experience, would be a quality pickup for the Lakers. Brown is the only backcourt player listed here, and he is another who has reportedly been a target for the Lakers for quite some time now. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds. 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans in 2024-25. Brown is no longer the player he was when he helped the Denver Nuggets win the title in 2023, but he would be a solid addition nonetheless. Lastly, we get to the 23-year-old LaRavia, who is the only non-veteran here. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings in 2024-25. LaRavia is a versatile forward who shot 42.3% from three last season and would be a solid rotational piece. Advertisement It will be interesting to see if the Lakers land any of these six. Veteran Minimum: - De'Anthony Melton - Malcolm Brogdon - Gary Payton II - Chris Paul - Amir Coffey - Dante Exum - Gary Trent Jr. - Jaxson Hayes - Jericho Sims - Larry Nance Jr Among these options, Chris Paul is certainly the one that stands out. Paul reportedly wants to play closer to home in Los Angeles, and you'd reckon he would love to team up with his good friend LeBron James. Only time will tell, though, if they're able to convince him or any of the other names listed here to come on board. Related: Lakers Can Offer Dorian Finney-Smith $96.5 Million Extension To Secure His Future This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
