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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James' Camp Denies Trade Rumors, Says He Never Asked For Extension Or Exit
LeBron James' Camp Denies Trade Rumors, Says He Never Asked For Extension Or Exit originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Despite rising speculation about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James is staying quiet, for now. During the Lakers' Summer League game, James declined an interview request from ESPN's broadcast team, telling them, 'I got nothing to talk about.' But behind the scenes, his camp is speaking up. According to ESPN, Rich Paul says LeBron has not asked for a trade, did not request an extension, and has not discussed leaving the Lakers, despite receiving calls from at least four teams interested in a potential deal. Advertisement 'I checked in with both the Lakers and LeBron's camp on this one. For the Lakers, it's business as usual," said ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "They have the motivation to compete at the highest level and maximize not just LeBron's timeline, but they want to compete now with Luka Doncic's. Some are positive that the true cause of the situation was the Lakers not offering LeBron a contract beyond next season, but Rich Paul also clarified that LeBron has not requested a trade, and hasn't even brought up the possibility of one in future discussions with the Lakers. Paul did tell me that four teams contacted him with interest in trading for LeBron, though. So now we wait. The Lakers have a full roster and have a decision to make on Shake Milton's contract by July 20th. They also have three expiring contracts in Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, plus their 2031 first-round draft pick they can use in trade scenarios." Ever since reports surfaced about LeBron's growing distance from the organization, the situation in Los Angeles has felt increasingly unstable. As Luka Doncic has settled into his new home in Southern California, LeBron has felt more and more isolated. Yet, despite the noise, LeBron has denied the chance to speak out for himself. "Now, I asked LeBron before tip-off if he'd like to join the broadcast to discuss everything, and he told me, quote, 'I got nothing to talk about',' said ESPN's broadcaster during Summer League. We don't know what teams called for LeBron (maybe the Warriors?), but the fact that he never entertained the idea is proof that he still wants to be a Laker. While it hasn't been easy, LeBron has never forced the issue or openly pushed for a way out. Of course, that doesn't mean these past few months have been easy for him. Advertisement For a guy used to superstar treatment, this is unfamiliar territory, and he's still learning how to adjust. Through it all, LeBron and his camp (including his son, Bronny) have done their best to adapt, even with the arrival of Luka Doncic and all the changes that came with it. For now, both sides appear committed to making it work, at least publicly. But with LeBron on an expiring contract and his influence reportedly waning behind the scenes, the next few months could define whether this partnership still has a future. The King may not be ready to speak yet, but the league is watching—and if the silence continues, it may only fuel the speculation further. Related: LeBron James Trade Watch: 20 Best Deals The Lakers Would Immediately Accept This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"All that he and the Bucks are doing is postponing the inevitable" - Chris Broussard implores Giannis to leave Milwaukee already
"All that he and the Bucks are doing is postponing the inevitable" - Chris Broussard implores Giannis to leave Milwaukee already originally appeared on Basketball Network. Fox Sports' Chris Broussard thinks that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are beating around the bush. Antetokounmpo has been linked to trade rumors since last month but neither he nor the Bucks have confirmed such story. Advertisement There were recent reports that Giannis was observing the 2025 NBA Draft and the start of the 2025 NBA free agency period. But according to Broussard, that's another indication that The Greek Freak wants to leave but just can't say it because he does not want to be portrayed as the bad guy. "He wants to give the Bucks a shot. Giannis is a good guy. I don't know him personally, but he's been a great guy. He wants to give the Bucks a chance. He doesn't want to be the bad guy and come out and demand a trade. But all that he and the Bucks are doing is postponing the inevitable. If he wants to stay, fine. But you need to leave. You should be winning championships. That's what Giannis wants to do," Broussard explained. Without Lillard, next season is a wash for the Bucks Giannis has spent his entire 12-year NBA career with the Bucks who took a chance on him as a raw and skinny 18-year-old teenager by selecting him 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. Giannis has done everything in Milwaukee - win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star Game MVP, Finals MVP and the 2021 NBA title. Advertisement But since their championship campaign, the Bucks have struggled to get back to the top. In the last three years, Milwaukee has been eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. And after Damian Lillard suffered an ACL tear in the 2025 NBA playoffs, next season is expected to be a wash, which would mean more frustration for Antetokounmpo. "You don't have much cap room to go out there and make a splash in free agency. They could lose Lopez, Bobby Portis, Porter Jr.. Damian Lillard's hurt, there's nothing…They would have to pull off a basketball miracle to get a special player in there to really give them a chance to compete at a high level next year. I don't see it coming. So that's why I'm 'Look, just rip off the band-aid and Giannis should be able to say 'I'm ready to move on,'" Broussard emphatically claims. Related: "My heart was pounding so fast I thought I was having a heart attack" - Larry Bird on why Finals against Houston was the most intense series of his career Windy gave a cryptic reply about Giannis' future ESPN's Brian Windhorst also talked about Giannis' plight during his recent appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show." Windhorst said that there is no Giannis trade market right now because he has not asked for a trade and the Bucks have not said they want to trade him. However, Windy also wonders why teams like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks did not go all-out to acquire Kevin Durant. Advertisement "When you see teams not go after Kevin Durant to save their assets for something bigger, I can't say for sure. I can't say absolutely what's in Pat Riley's mind, as he doesn't put all of his assets on the table that he could for Kevin Durant. I can't say exactly what Leon Rose is thinking as general manager and president of the New York Knicks when they elect to pass on Durant. But I can state those facts surrounding the Bucks and you can extrapolate what you can extrapolate," said Windhorst. What fans and experts are extrapolating is that Giannis will eventually become available. That's why teams are seemingly saving their assets for a bigger prize. And that's why Brou is saying that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are just delaying something that is bound to happen. Advertisement Related: "Giannis is tough to play with" - Antetokounmpo's former teammate John Henson reveals why it is hard to be on his team This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Scout Says Teams Only Want Kevin Durant To Sell Jerseys And That He Is No Longer An Alpha Superstar
NBA Scout Says Teams Only Want Kevin Durant To Sell Jerseys And That He Is No Longer An Alpha Superstar originally appeared on Fadeaway World. As Kevin Durant trade rumors heat up across the league, one NBA scout has cast doubt on his current value after a miserable season in Phoenix. In a wild statement that went viral this week, the anonymous expert said Durant was no longer capable of leading a team to a championship and that he's not worth a premium trade package at this stage of his career. Advertisement 'Most teams that want him are teams that just want to sell some jerseys…At this stage of the game, though, he's 36, 37 years old, I don't see a real benefit in giving up much for him," said the scout, via Amico Hoops. "He's not leading anyone to the promised land anymore…A team could take him as a rental to move merchandise for a year, and that's not a terrible idea. Just don't mortgage the future. Anyone from that 35-and-over crowd isn't worth it these days. Kevin Durant is part of that crowd now.' On paper, Kevin Durant is still an elite NBA athlete, and he put up big numbers last season with averages of 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 42.7% shooting. As a 15x All-Star, 2x champion, 4x scoring leader, and 11x All-NBA player, his resume is impressive, and he's considered one of the defining players of the generation. So far, Durant has only been traded one other time in his career -- in 2023 to the Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap to the Nets. It was a monster haul at the time, and the Suns are looking for a similar deal this summer when they trade him out. Unfortunately for Phoenix, Durant's stock isn't as high as it used to be, and some critics are doubtful that he's worth giving up any major package. Durant, 36, has been on a steady decline since the 2021-22 season when he averaged 29.9 points per game for the Nets. As his numbers decreased gradually, his teams increasingly struggled to keep up with the competition, and it resulted in a shocking lack of playoff success over the past six years. Now, after an abysmal season in Phoenix, Durant finds himself on the trade block yet again for the second time in two years, but his situation is entirely different than before. Advertisement After 16 years in the NBA, Durant is at the end of his career, and he might be better fitted for a sidekick role rather than one as the leading star of a team. But regardless of where he goes or what role he takes, Kevin's arrival is sure to make things exciting for the team he joins, and it will surely help power an elite offense. With three teams in the running for Durant (Spurs, Rockets, and Heat), it's impossible to be sure where he'll end up, but it's no secret that he prefers the Spurs. Alongside Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, Durant could spend the last stretch of his career with the support he needs to remain competitive in the title race. If he's able to help the Spurs (or another young team) to a major playoff run next season, it will do wonders for this legacy and disprove all the doubters who continue to question his worth. Related: Kevin Durant Wanted To Join The Celtics Or Knicks At February Trade Deadline This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
