Latest news with #LeBronJames
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
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Lakers Urged to Strike Trade for New $61 Million Starter
Lakers Urged to Strike Trade for New $61 Million Starter originally appeared on Athlon Sports. One of the Los Angeles Lakers' concerns last season is the frontcourt. After trading away All-Star forward Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, the Lakers didn't have an elite big man for the rest of the season. The team settled for Jaxson Hayes as their starting center, which wasn't enough. Advertisement The player that has been linked to the Lakers for a long time is Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. However, another trade prospect has emerged for the organization. Atlanta Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu could become available as a trade target. This is because of the Hawks' recent trade move, acquiring 7-foot-2 big man Kristaps Porzingis. The Latvian center is a championship-caliber starter and could very well be the favorite to take over the starting spot for the team in the 2025-26 season. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Lee-Imagn Images Last season, Okongwu started in 40 of the 74 games he appeared in. There was an expectation that the young big man would be the team's official starting center next season. However, the recent trade move that led them to acquire Porzingis suggests otherwise. Advertisement This gives the Lakers the perfect opportunity to trade for the 6-foot-10 forward-center. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox suggested that L.A. should make a trade for Okongwu, if Kessler isn't available in the trade market. "With Porziņģis headed to Atlanta, Okongwu may now be even more available than he otherwise might have been this offseason. Regardless, he should become L.A.'s top trade target if Kessler is indeed unavailable," Knox wrote. It's a good move for the Lakers since Okongwu is on a team-friendly contract. The big man will be on the second year of his four-year, $61.9 million contract. This allows the organization to have more flexibility and add players as they try to contend for a championship. With the Hawks, Okongwu has averaged 9.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. He had his best year last season, as he put up 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Related: Hawks Among Favorites to Land $251 Million 3-Time All-Star in NBA Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- 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 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
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Greg Cote's Poll Dance: What's your level of support for Heat's Pat Riley? Vote now!
Miami Heat president Pat Riley speaks to the media during his season-ending press conference at Kaseya Center on May 9, 2025, in Miami. Note to readers: The Poll Dance and Hot Button Top 10 are taking next Sunday off for the long holiday weekend. See you back here with a new edition of each on July 13! Pat Riley since joining the Miami Heat in 1995, first as head coach and later as club president, has drafted Dwayne Wade, promoted Erik Spoelstra, signed LeBron James, and overseen three NBA championships -- among other successes and accomplishments that over 30 years have made him a towering figure in South Florida sports history. Advertisement But he is not above criticism. Now 80, Riley's Heat have not won it all since 2013, and the misses have outnumbered the hits lately in the whale-hunting category, most recently going after but failing to close a trade for Kevin Durant. I would hope Riley might still have the broad faith and support of most Heat fans. But you also see and hear lots of game-has-passed-him-by rhetoric on social media. So you be the judge, right here. Take our latest Poll Dance and vote for which option best reflects how you feel about Riley today. Vote as many times as you'd like or until your fingers ache. GREG COTE POLL DANCE: ON PAT RILEY:
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
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NBA Team Releases LeBron James' Former Teammate After Draft Night
NBA Team Releases LeBron James' Former Teammate After Draft Night originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, and a new wave of talent is ready to leave its mark. While draft night brought fresh excitement and hope for franchises, it also marked the beginning of tough roster decisions as teams prepare for the NBA Summer League. Advertisement Ahead of Summer League action, front offices are actively reshaping their rosters to make room for newly drafted talent. That often means parting ways with players who no longer fit the team's long-term direction or developmental goals. One such move involved a former teammate of LeBron James. According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, "the Brooklyn Nets have waived Maxwell Lewis.' Lewis, 22, is a Las Vegas native who played college basketball at Pepperdine. He was selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, then traded to the Lakers on draft night. During his rookie season with Los Angeles, Lewis appeared in 34 games but averaged just three minutes per contest. He played seven more games in the 2024-25 season before being included in the trade that sent D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn. Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis (20).© Candice Ward-Imagn Images Lewis' Nets debut was delayed after he fractured his left tibia, sidelining him for four weeks. In total, Lewis played 21 games for Brooklyn, including one start, and averaged 5.3 points per game. Advertisement The Nets were busy on draft night, making five first-round selections. They began by picking Egor Demin, a 6-foot-9 guard from Russia who played at BYU. They followed with Nolan Traore from France, Drake Powell from North Carolina, Ben Saraf from Israel and Danny Wolf from Michigan. After the draft, Nets general manager Sean Marks shared his thoughts with ESPN. 'I'm thrilled with the group we got tonight,' Marks said. 'We've got some guys who play the right way, move the ball the right way and have some untapped skills there.' Brooklyn's Summer League campaign begins July 10 in Las Vegas. Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Better Than Michael Jordan, Claims Former Bulls Star Related: Luka Doncic Reportedly Makes Big Change in Physical Appearance This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Donovan Mitchell Sends Clear LeBron James Message on Friday
Donovan Mitchell Sends Clear LeBron James Message on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs as one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference and popular pick to make the finals. But after winning just five total games in the postseason, their run came to a disappointing end. Advertisement That failure wasn't because of Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers' leading scorer delivered in the second round against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 33 or more points in four of the five games. In the lone game he didn't reach that mark, he played just 20 minutes due to a left ankle injury. In a recent sit-down with Taylor Rooks, Mitchell opened up about a variety of NBA topics. Naturally, the conversation turned to the Cavaliers' early playoff exit and the weight of trying to bring a championship back to Cleveland. On Friday, Bleacher Report posted a key quote from the interview, highlighting Mitchell's mindset: When Rooks asked if he felt pressure being the star player on a franchise that's won just one title, Mitchell gave a direct and honest response: Advertisement "No, because I'm not Bron. I'm not going to do it the same way he did it. What did he do six times in a row? Maybe we can do it the next six years. Maybe we don't. We are not the LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers. We do it different." Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell doesn't want to be compared to the Lebron James-Cavs era.© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Mitchell added more context on how he sees the future for himself and the Cavaliers: "We are going to try to accomplish what they did and be the second team in franchise history, but we are not the 2016 Cavs. That was a special team." Mitchell has two years remaining on his current contract with the Cavaliers. He also holds a player option for the 2027-28 season worth $53.8 million. After that, he can become an unrestricted free agent. Advertisement One thing is clear: Mitchell isn't trying to be the next LeBron. He's focused on building something different and winning on his own terms. Related: Pacers Prepare for Expensive Roster Move After NBA Finals Loss Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Better Than Michael Jordan, Claims Former Bulls Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
