Latest news with #Los Angeles Lakers
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider claims Lakers have had trade talks about three new targets
While mid-July usually marks the start of the quiet part of the NBA's offseason in terms of player movement, teams aren't necessarily done making moves. The Los Angeles Lakers are one team that could still make a move or two if there is an opportunity available for them that they deem appropriate. They can free up most of their bi-annual exception — $3.9 million, to be exact — to spend on at least one more free agent if they waive guard Shake Milton by July 20. There is also the remaining possibility of a trade, especially since they have the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Gabe Vincent to offer a team looking for some salary cap relief. According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, L.A. has talked to teams about wing Matisse Thybulle, guard Marcus Smart and backcourt player Ayo Dosunmu. "Sources say Matisse Thybulle, Marcus Smart (though most teams are watching to see if he's going to be bought out), Ayo Dosunmu and others are names the Lakers have had preliminary conversations with teams about availability and price, though no offers have been made," Irwin wrote. Right now, the NBA's main summer league is taking place in Las Vegas. There are plenty of team executives there to watch their young players in action, which presents Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka with an opportunity to talk to other executives about potential deals. 'Rob (Pelinka) likes Vegas because he can just pull so-and-so aside and have a conversation that would otherwise take a little planning,' an Eastern Conference executive said. 'Summer league has become a real opportunity for all of us in that way.' Thybulle is a 3-and-D player who is 28 years of age and could fill a big need for Los Angeles. This past season, as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, he averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 20.8 minutes a game and shot 47.7% from the field and a career-high 43.8% from 3-point range. He made the All-Defensive second team for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Smart isn't a 3-point sniper — he has a career mark of 32.4% from that distance and made 34.8% of his 3-point attempts this past season — but he is a defensive pest. He has made the All-Defensive first team three times and was named the Defensive Player of the Year three years ago. The 31-year-old 6-foot-3 guard can also serve as a facilitator and has averaged 4.6 assists a game over his 10 NBA seasons. Dosunmu, 25, is 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, and his 3-point shooting is a work in progress — he made 40.3% of his attempts from downtown during the 2023-24 season but fell to 32.8% this past season. But he's a solid defender and has shot 50.2% from the field in his four pro seasons. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider claims Lakers have had trade talks about three new targets
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers legend Robert Horry on what went wrong with the Boston Celtics title defense
The Boston Celtics probably could have done a better job defending their 2024 NBA title, and former Los Angeles Lakers star Robert Horry thinks he knows how it all went sideways for the Celtics. The University of Alabama alum knows a thing or two about what it takes to win multiple titles in close succession as one of the only players in league history to have won multiple titles with three different teams (the Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets), so his words should perhaps carry more weight than most. The Andalusia, Alabama native sat down with the folks behind the "WEEI Boston's Sports Original" YouTube channel, who put together a clip of Horry's talk with the eponymous hosts of the "Jones and Keefe" show, Adam Jones and Rich Keefe. The trio took a deep dive into what went wrong for Boston's title defense, among several topics. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say! This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Lakers icon Robert Horry on what went wrong with Celtics title defense
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers are reportedly still interested in Al Horford
The Los Angeles Lakers may not be done making roster moves this summer. Their center rotation seems set with Deandre Ayton as the starter and Jaxson Hayes and possibly Maxi Kleber as the backups, but they would surely love a better second-string option in the middle. Even after Ayton agreed to sign with the Lakers on July 2, it was reported that they were "in strong pursuit" of veteran big man Al Horford. Nearly two weeks after that report, Horford remains unsigned. Advertisement With the Boston Celtics, the team he played for over the last four seasons, looking to seriously trim salary, Horford is thought to be looking to move to another team. According to Marc Spears of ESPN, Los Angeles is still interested in the 39-year-old. 'Golden State, obviously, expected him to sign last week. He didn't. Lakers, Milwaukee and Atlanta, I believe, are also interested in a nearly 40-year-old guy who also has retirement on the table. He's still considering retiring; he's not in any hurry. He's got a sixth kid coming on the way, he lives in Atlanta and Boston in the offseason. But I'm hearing that whether it's Golden State or, a lesser extent if it's the Lakers, being away from the family that far isn't going to be in that decision.' Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 27.7 minutes a game while shooting 36.3% from the field this past season. He played a key role in Boston winning the 2024 NBA championship, and he could likely have one more productive year in his tank, perhaps in limited minutes. He would be a better option off the bench at the 5 than either Hayes or Kleber, and perhaps a massively better one, as he can contribute in multiple areas and perhaps even be a glue guy of sorts. Horford could also perhaps be a fallback option for L.A. should Ayton, who had attitude problems while with the Portland Trail Blazers over the last two years and has never been a plus defender despite outstanding athleticism, not pan out. Advertisement This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers are reportedly still interested in Al Horford
