Los Angeles Lakers Articles - Page 40

When the Los Angeles Lakers allowed Dorian Finney-Smith to walk in free agency after he opted out of his contract, they suddenly found themselves with the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal. That gave them around $14 million to spend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as a surprise free agent […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ recent addition of Deandre Ayton has not only addressed a critical roster need but also added an unexpected layer to LeBron James’ already historic resume. With Ayton’s arrival, James will now have played alongside nine No. 1 overall NBA Draft picks during his career, a staggering stat that only adds to […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are never ones to shy away from the spotlight. They are always in the headlines, and the NBA offseason has been no different. The team was sold for a record amount of money, and there has been massive trade speculation surrounding LeBron James. Now, there are reports that Lakers general manager […]

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2025 NBA Summer League with one of the most compelling storylines—Bronny James’s playing time, development, and his strategy to earn a real role at the next level. In a recent media session Wednesday afternoon, James made it clear that his focus is becoming a defensive anchor. The Athletic’s Dan […]

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2025 offseason with one goal; sign a starting center. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka missed out on his top targets on the first night of free agency. A couple of days later, Los Angeles finally filled the hole, signing former Portland Trail Blazers big man Deandre Ayton. Ayton […]

The Los Angeles Lakers and Deandre Ayton, the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, have agreed to a 2-year contract in free agency, league sources told ClutchPoints. This contract with Los Angeles contains a player option in the second year, allowing Ayton to potentially maximize his value after the 2025-26 season. Ayton, 26, was […]

Will the Los Angeles Lakers trade LeBron James? Rumors have swirled around the subject over the past few weeks. Fans are curious as to which team James will finish his NBA career with. LeBron’s son, Bronny, addressed the matter while speaking to reporters after NBA Summer League practice on Wednesday, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. […]

As free agency continues, trade speculation around LeBron James has continued to be a headline of the offseason. The conversations about James potentially being traded from the Lakers started to circulate after he opted into his $52.6 million option to return to the team for the upcoming season. To further enflame the conversations, Rich Paul’s […]

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the offseason with big goals. However, LeBron James put pressure on general manager Rob Pelinka after he opted into his $52.5 million player option. So far, Los Angeles has underwhelmed and lost out on most of their free agent targets. Austin Reaves turned down his extension and Luka Doncic might […]

As the Lakers close in on a center option in free agency, it appears that the Jazz’s asking price for Walker Kessler is still unachievable per a report by Jovan Buha. “I’ve just heard nothing, but they want two picks plus a young player for Walker Kessler,” he said in the latest edition of his […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Free Agency and LeBron James trade buzz just took an unexpected turn. As recently as yesterday, most believed LeBron James wouldn’t be traded. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst now admits he’s not so sure anymore. “My conversations over the last three days have crystallized that the Lakers are essentially viewing LeBron […]

A day before free agency began, LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million option with the Los Angeles Lakers. It wasn’t just that move that raised eyebrows, but it was the comments that his agent, Rich Paul, had to say afterwards about James and how he wants to compete for a championship. That led many […]

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue reshaping their roster following the blockbuster midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne revealed Tuesday that the 26-year-old star is playing an active role in the franchise’s offseason strategy. “My sense with Luka is he’s involved in everything they’re doing,” Shelburne said during an appearance on ESPN LA. […]

Damian Lillard is suddenly a free agent for the first time after the Milwaukee Bucks decided to waive and stretch his contract in order to make room for signing Myles Turner. A number of suitors have already reached out to Lillard’s camp about a deal even though he’s rehabbing from a torn Achilles, with The […]

The Los Angeles Lakers were immediately linked to Deandre Ayton after news broke that the Portland Trail Blazers were buying him out. ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported the Lakers as a “reluctant favorite” for Ayton on Tuesday, and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line later said the “safest forecast” is the big man teaming up with […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have been put on the clock by LeBron James, who, after opting in, said (via his agent Rich Paul) that he and his camp will be assessing the team’s roster and may look for a move elsewhere if the Purple and Gold fail to find the requisite pieces to mold the […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have been seeking a center upgrade on the trade market throughout the offseason. After rescinding their trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, who was recently traded to the Phoenix Suns this summer, executive Rob Pelinka and his front office have made it their top goal to add a rim-running big […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 offseason is not going very well. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka entered the free-agency period with one goal: sign a center to put alongside Luka Doncic. However, he and Los Angeles could not convince a big man to join their team on Monday night, watching centers go to teams all […]

In an era where centers are now valued more than almost any other position, a former first overall pick who has averaged a double-double for his career and played in a Finals series is a free agent. He hasn’t suffered any major, career-threatening surgeries. He hasn’t had any off-court controversies or criminal activity. He’s just […]

NBA legends Steve Nash and LeBron James have a podcast called “Mind The Game.” It has taken over as of late and has produced some great content since it first began in 2024. Nash took over for JJ Redick, who happened to become the Los Angeles Lakers head coach a few months after starting that […]

Trade rumors are swirling around LeBron James even after he opted in to his player option. There is speculation that the four-time NBA champion could demand a trade as he seemingly wants to play for a contender. Amid the ongoing rumors, insider Bobby Marks hit James with a harsh reality check if the superstar forward […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have historically been a franchise that doesn’t shy away from the spotlight, and one former NBA champion thinks their front office could see some massive changes under their new ownership. Matt Barnes recently speculated that franchise legend Magic Johnson could return to the Lakers. Additionally, Barnes also suggested that former Golden […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly traversing through an extremely crucial offseason. LeBron James has opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season but is understood to be “monitoring” the front office closely as he continues to consider his future past the upcoming season. Recently, the Lakers passed on the opportunity to […]

The Los Angeles Lakers may have just caught their biggest break of the NBA Free Agency. Deandre Ayton is now a free agent after a buyout from the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers had been locked in a tight race with the Milwaukee Bucks to land Deandre Ayton. But that race may have just ended. […]

The Los Angeles Lakers sent $2.5 million to the Chicago Bulls as part of their draft-night maneuvering during the 2025 NBA Draft, according to a report from Sports Business Classroom and Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. Pincus revealed the financial details of the transaction on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating the cash sent to Chicago […]

The Los Angeles Lakers wasted no time making moves in NBA Free Agency. After losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, the Lakers quickly pivoted to Jake LaRavia. The Lakers locked LaRavia in with a two-year, $12 million deal. The 6-foot-7 sharpshooting wing emerged as one of the more intriguing under-the-radar options this offseason. Memphis […]

LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, made comments after James picked up his player option that alluded to the all-time great not being happy with the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers roster. Some took this to mean that James wants to be traded, but more likely, he is just putting pressure on the Lakers’ […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have made their intentions clear this NBA Free Agency period: flexibility over long-term commitments. One of the biggest ripple effects of that Lakers mindset is the decision to let Dorian Finney-Smith walk to the Houston Rockets, despite having both the cap space and positional need to retain him. According to team […]

Deandre Ayton is one of the most intriguing NBA free agents on the market this summer, and it looks like the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are the most interested in acquiring his services. By trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and with their midseason trade for Mark Williams falling apart due to a […]

Since his release from the Portland Trail Blazers, DeAndre Ayton has received serious interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. While the move makes sense on paper, the apparent reason why Ayton is available in the first place should concern any team looking to sign him. Following Ayton’s release, details emerged suggesting the […]

LeBron James may have recently opted in for his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season. However, instead of quelling rumors about his immediate future, the move has only increased the noise, with James understood to be monitoring the Lakers’ offseason closely. As things stand, James will be a […]

Jake LaRavia has not even suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers yet, but he already knows exactly how to get fans on his side. After agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers, LaRavia posted a simple message that instantly energized the team’s massive following and hinted at the mindset he plans […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are once again making headlines—this time not for on-court moves, but for their long-term financial strategy. According to recent reports from Shams Charania, the Lakers are prioritizing 2027 salary cap flexibility, with plans to preserve space for a potential max-level free agent signing. This forward-looking approach follows LeBron James’ player option […]

Although LeBron James hasn’t formally requested a trade, it appears that several teams around the league are looking into ways that they can aquire the four-time NBA Champion. On today’s trade deadline edition of NBA Today, Dave McMenamin gave a pivotal update about the future of James with the Lakers and potential interest for his […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ obvious need for a center has garnered headlines since the team was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs. But with the free agency negotiation period beginning on Monday, the Lakers first move was to come to an agreement with a wing in Jake LaRavia. The free agent market […]

Even though LeBron James exercised a $52.6 million player option to stay with the LA Lakers, rumors persist of a possible trade.  They stem from Rich Paul’s recent comments that James would be open to a trade if the Lakers aren’t up to championship caliber. However, Paul clarified, saying that no trade option is available.  […]

Despite losing wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have made their first addition of the 2025 NBA offseason with Jake LaRavia. LaRavia will sign a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Monday. “Free agent forward Jake LaRavia has agreed […]

The Los Angeles Lakers remain the top suitors for DeAndre Ayton following the center’s buyout with the Portland Blazers. For many, Ayton is best suited to address the Lakers’ needs at center as a rim protector who can clean up around the glass. One NBA insider believes there’s a strong chance, Chris Haynes. Ayton signing […]

Veteran free agent forward Dorian Finney-Smith and the Houston Rockets have agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract, league sources told ClutchPoints on Monday night. Finney-Smith is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after spending a portion of the 2024-25 season with the team and recently declining his $15.4 million player option. The Lakers traded D’Angelo […]