Latest news with #ex-Mavericks
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic insiders have surprising take on post-Mavericks transformation
Dallas Mavericks insiders have issued an intriguing insight into the now-Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard Luka Doncic's offseason body metamorphosis. Doncic, 26, was traded by Dallas — along with big men Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris — midseason to L.A., in exchange for 10-time All-Star center/power forward Anthony Davis, shooting guard Max Christie, and just one first-round draft pick. MORE NEWS:Kendrick Perkins utters bold take on ex-Mavericks star Luka Doncic Both teams also sent a 2025 second-round pick, each, to the Utah Jazz after that club facilitated the deal by taking on the contract of second-year Lakers guard Jalen Hood-Schifino. After Doncic had been flipped, Dallas brass claimed the team had questions about his long-term fitness, criticizing him for playing while out-of-shape. The 6-foot-6 guard had been sidelined by a calf injury for much of the season, ultimately only suiting up for 50 games between the Mavericks and Lakers. Earlier this week, Doncic appeared on the cover of "Men's Health" magazine, debuting a surprisingly shredded physique. Per Dan Woike of The Athletic, sources within Doncic's camp are convinced that he would have made this fitness journey — which includes a rigorous new workout, an expanded training staff, and a new diet — even had he remained on the Mavericks. "That plan, according to some around Doncic, was going to be fulfilled no matter what happened in his pro career. To everyone else, it's so clearly a response to the humiliation and pain caused by the Dallas Mavericks' decision to cast him away from the city where he'd planned on spending the entirety of his career," Doncic adds. The five-time All-NBA superstar, still just 26, certainly seems to be on a vengeance tour. After all, he managed to bring the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals with his prior, less-focused approach to fitness. "Some sources in Doncic's inner circle believed he was on the path toward this kind of physical transformation whether or not Dallas general manager Nico Harrison had bet against him," Woike adds. MORE NEWS:One key factor derailed Dallas Mavericks' pursuit of Kevin Durant
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Lakers check in with Heat on Andrew Wiggins trade
The post NBA rumors: Lakers check in with Heat on Andrew Wiggins trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. As Miami Heat star Andrew Wiggins has reportedly been made available in trade talks, there is one team that has shown interest in acquiring the former champion with the Golden State Warriors. With the immense rumors about the Lakers and looking to improve, it looks as if the team sees Wiggins as a potential acquisition. Advertisement According to ClutchPoints' Senior Lakers insider Anthony F. Irwin on his show 'Lakers Lounge,' Los Angeles has 'checked' on Wiggins and even has asked Miami 'about what the price would be.' He would go on to say that with the team's ties with Heat president Pat Riley, since he was the head coach of the Lakers from 1981-1990, the franchise is gauging what he saw from Wiggins ever since he was traded to Miami in the Jimmy Butler deal. 'I will say that the Lakers again, because of their relationship with Pat Riley, I would imagine they are very well in tune with what Pat thinks of what he saw from Andrew Wiggins, which I don't think was all that great,' Irwin said. 'I don't know, but the Lakers have checked in on him. They have asked about what the price would be.' 'In practice, you know, the thing with Wiggins is that the practical application of Andrew Wiggins isn't always what the theoretical Andrew Wiggins gets hyped up to be,' Irwin continued. 'And you arrive at a pretty meh experience, sometimes.': Lakers with interest in Heat's Andrew Wiggins Sam Navarro-Imagn Images While the Lakers have rumors surrounding such players as Austin Reaves, the primary goal is to continue to build around Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Wiggins has been a productive player, but Irwin has some concerns in regards to how 'driven he is,' which the team takes 'very seriously.' Advertisement 'Have I heard of any interest in him? I think right now the Lakers are interested in any athlete,' Irwin said. 'But there have been some other situations there where it's like you aren't necessarily sure if basketball is the highest priority, and when you have a guy making that much money, like, I better eat, sleep, and breathe the sport,' Irwin continued. 'So some of those questions about how driven he is, those are the kinds of things that the Lakers take very seriously.' At any rate, Los Angeles looks to improve after a disappointing early playoff exit after finishing third in the West. Related: Lakers' LeBron James hilariously recalls 'most egregious' travel of his career Related: Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers' LeBron James hilariously recalls ‘most egregious' travel of his career
The post Lakers' LeBron James hilariously recalls 'most egregious' travel of his career appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently looking for ways to retool this offseason in the hopes of maximizing however much time LeBron James has left in the NBA. James still has plenty left in the tank at 41 years old, but his patience may be wearing thin after the Lakers' second straight first round exit this past spring. Advertisement Recently, James took to his newly relaunched Mind the Game podcast with co-host Steve Nash, and one of the topics discussed was what James views as the most egregious uncalled travel of his career. James recalled a 2017 game against the Washington Wizards, at which point he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, in response. 'We were down one. I got the ball in transition at about half court, and I was driving the lane. It's late in the game… I got into the lane and I traveled like a motherf*****, and missed the layup' said James. 'I don't know if I felt guilty. It felt weird. I had a wide open layup and missed it.' Of course, moments later, James would go on to hit one of the most iconic shots of his career when Kevin Love launched an inbounds pass down to him with less than three seconds on the clock and the Cavs now trailing by three. Advertisement James spun off of defender Bradley Beal and lofted in a turnaround three-pointer from the wing off the glass to tie the game and send it into overtime, where Cleveland eventually won. It's safe to say that the incredible shot more than made up for the layup blunder seconds earlier. James is hoping to create more memories like this one with Lakers teammate Luka Doncic, but the team has some serious work to do this offseason if they want to reach the level of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. Related: Sources: The major change Lakers won't be making this offseason Related: Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate
The post Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers are hot in the rumor mill, as the front office aims to improve the roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. There is plenty of speculation that L.A. plans to find an upgrade at center, but the roster still needs help in other key areas as well. Advertisement For that reason, it sounds like the franchise could be eying another one of Doncic's former teammates on the Dallas Mavericks. Rumors suggest that the Lakers are eying guard Dante Exum, according to insider Anthony F. Irwin. During the latest episode of the 'Lakers Lounge Podcast,' Irwin claims Los Angeles is going to make a push for Exum this offseason. 'Rob Pelinka was previously [Dante Exum's] agent. So you have that built-in relationship… He is a very solid perimeter defender. I like that he's a little bigger, a little longer, which is something the Lakers [need]… He is somebody the Lakers are going to be interested in.' The 29-year-old guard is an unrestricted free agent after playing two full seasons with the Mavericks. Irwin hints that if the Lakers can sign Exum to the minimum, then the team's interest in him only increases, especially considering what he brings to the table athletically and defensively as well as his chemistry with Luka Doncic. Advertisement Dante Exum will be coming off an injury as he suffered a fractured left hand in the Mavericks' 133-96 loss to the Houston Rockets in mid-March. Injuries are a concern for Exum as he's had a difficult time remaining healthy. He only played 20 games for Dallas last season, which is something the Lakers must consider. However, in those 20 games played, Dante Exum served as a solid contributor. He started in 13 contests and averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 47.8% from the field and 43.4% from beyond the three-point line. Related: Sources: The major change Lakers won't be making this offseason Related: Lakers' LeBron James hilariously recalls 'most egregious' travel of his career
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers rumors: Insider shoots down Luka Doncic-Kristaps Porzingis reunion
The post Lakers rumors: Insider shoots down Luka Doncic-Kristaps Porzingis reunion appeared first on ClutchPoints. Rumors are ramping up with the NBA Draft kicking off on Wednesday. After some trades have already been finalized, other teams like the Los Angeles Lakers are rumbling around the rumor mill. There has been some speculation that L.A. might be on potentially trading for Kristaps Porzingis from the Boston Celtics. But one insider is saying not so fast! Advertisement From the sounds of it, Lakers fans should not be expecting the front office to reunite Luka Doncic with his former Dallas Mavericks teammate, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. With speculation growing that Los Angeles wants to add a center this offseason, it sounds like Porzingis won't be the answer. 'One thing that won't happen — another Doncic-Kristaps Porzingis pairing. There's no indication that anyone wants to see that sequel.' Woike lists a few names that could be on the Lakers' radar; however, they might not be deals the organization may see as worth going through with. He names Daniel Gafford and Nic Claxton as possible options, but it sounds like Los Angeles is more likely to go a different route at the center position. 'The talk at the start of the Lakers' offseason was that Dallas' Daniel Gafford and Brooklyn's Nic Claxton were the two players who made the most sense. There just remains so much leaguewide skepticism that the Mavericks could optically make another trade with the Lakers after the open revolt of the fan base following the Doncic deal. Claxton isn't thought of as a shoo-in as the answer at the position, and if he costs you your best trade package, is it a gamble worth doing?' Advertisement The NBA Draft should make things clearer for Los Angeles. Expectation is that changes are coming, as the Lakers are also rumored to potentially trade guard Austin Reaves. With the league essentially in a wide-open race for the title next season, L.A. has some big decisions to make to ideally get back to championship status. Related: Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate Related: NBA rumors: Lakers check in with Heat on Andrew Wiggins trade
