If there is a definite weakness on the Los Angeles Lakers' remodeled roster, it is the team's lack of a starting two-way forward or wing. That is at least one reason why it has been looking to acquire Jonathan ****** inga over the last few weeks.
Kuminga would be a sizable risk, given his below-average 3-point shooting, inconsistent defense and suspect attitude, although his potential is still high. One alternative that Lakers fans have mentioned as far as a trade target is P.J. Washington, who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks and spent some time alongside Luka Doncic there.
Now that the Mavericks have given a significant contract extension to Naji Marshall, some feel Washington could be a bit expendable for them. But if fans are dreaming of the Lakers making a play for Washington, perhaps they should keep dreaming.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Los Angeles hasn't made an attempt to acquire the 27-year-old forward (h/t Sports Illustrated).
"I haven't heard that the Lakers are making any pursuit of P.J. Washington," Fischer said. "His name just gets brought up by Lakers fans and by Mavericks fans with that trade mechanism, but nothing I've actually heard behind the scenes."

#given

The Los Angeles Lakers have recently been linked with a move for one of Luka Dončić's former Dallas Mavericks teammates. However, before the speculation could gain momentum, one respected league insider swiftly dismissed the possibility.
The Lakers have officially entered a new era centered around Dončić after LeBron James' departure from the franchise. Los Angeles has shifted its focus toward surrounding the Slovenian superstar with the right supporting cast.
Throughout the offseason, the Lakers have been connected to several notable names, including Dončić's former Mavericks teammate P.J. Washington. The speculation intensified after senior NBA writer Marc Jacobs reported that the Lakers and the Mavericks had engaged in trade discussions involving the versatile forward.
Amid this, league insider Evan Sidery revealed that Dallas has been actively making Washington available. That update naturally fueled speculation among fans that Washington could reunite with Dončić in Los Angeles.
However, veteran league insider Jake Fischer quickly dismissed the rumors, making it clear that he has not heard anything to suggest the Lakers are actively pursuing Washington behind the scenes.

#Lakers #former

Luka Doncic went through a fairly public split with his former fiancée Anamaria Goltes in 2025, but things have taken a surprising turn in the court case.
The unbelievable NBA trade which saw the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks had some intense consequences on the superstar's personal life.
Doncic and his long-time girlfriend and fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, went through a messy breakup in the aftermath. The split wasn't straightforward either, with issues arising over custody of their two daughters, Gabriela and Olivia.
Goltes filed a lawsuit against Doncic in California for child support, which the 27-year-old and his attorneys disputed. And now, it seems that things are finally moving in a positive direction for Luka.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

#fianc #things #angeles

According to reports, Luka Doncic is set to hold a minicamp for his Los Angeles Lakers teammates in his native Slovenia. Even better, he will reportedly pay for his teammates to make their way to Slovenia for that minicamp.
This will be an important event for the Lakers, given that they have so many new players on their roster for the upcoming season. One player who could play a key supporting role is Cameron Carr, the promising rookie guard who was the No. 24 pick in June's NBA draft.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, every player on the roster will attend Doncic's minicamp — except Carr, who is required to participate in an official NBA orientation for rookies.
"The aforementioned Dončić has chartered a plane and is paying the full bill to fly and host every single Lakers teammate in his native Slovenia later this month. I'm told that 16 of the 17 players on the Lakers' roster not named Dončić — from Austin Reaves to Walker Kessler to Bronny James to two-way signees Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon and AK Okereke --have all committed to attend.
"League sources say it would have been 17 of 17 if just drafted swingman Cameron Carr wasn't required to participate in an official NBA rookie orientation that conflicts with what Dončić is calling a 'team bonding trip.'"

#carr

Luka Doncic announces that he is 100% healthy ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
To end the 2025-26 season, Luka Doncic was on a high, performing at an unreal level. Unfortunately, that all came down after he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for the end of the regular season and both rounds of the Los Angeles Lakers' postseason run.
It was a huge blow for the Lakers because with the way he was playing, no one could stop him. Now that he has taken some time to fully rest, it seems Doncic has no more problems with his hamstring or any other part of his body. He is ready to take on the challenge of being the true superstar in LA.
As one of the most talented players in the league, it is fair for Doncic to be in the headlines all the time. He is on the same level as the MVP-level players like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and he is doing it in the Purple and Gold.
When he was healthy, Doncic was playing arguably the best basketball of his career. He was dominant on offense with his scoring and playmaking, which helped the Lakers reach a level where they could compete with the best teams in the league.

#doncic #luka #healthy

Cooper Flagg to LA for golf with Luka Doncic — the rumor that almost was originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NBA fans spent the weekend buzzing over a supposed meetup between two of the league's biggest names. A claim spread fast across social media, tying together a Los Angeles Lakers superstar and a Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation during a quiet stretch of August.
The story gained traction before anyone could confirm a single detail behind it. By Sunday night, a veteran NBA reporter stepped in to set the record straight for good.
An account called MavsMuse posted over the weekend claiming Cooper Flagg would fly to Los Angeles to golf with Luka Doncic, and the idea spread across fan pages within hours. NBA insider Marc Stein addressed it directly, confirming there was no golf summit scheduled between the two.
Doncic has spent this summer fully rooted in Slovenia, a stretch that follows his three-year contract extension with the Lakers that runs through 2028. Stein made clear where each player actually stands. "Luka Dončić is in Slovenia and will be for the whole offseason," Stein wrote. "Cooper Flagg is training in Maine and occasionally Dallas all summer."

#cooper #dallas

Kevin Durant has been one of the league's most prolific scorers since entering the league with the Seattle SuperSonics back in 2007. Although he's known for his mid-range pull-up jumper, Durant has shot a healthy amount of 3-pointers during his career, converting on 39.2% of attempts.
The current Houston Rockets forward was recently recognized for his 3-point shooting ability, as Durant was named among the highest-rated 3-point shooters in the newest edition of NBA 2K. In a top-10 list that came out Monday, the former Texas Longhorn was ranked in a tie for sixth with a 92 3PT rating. Durant was tied with Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards, as Stephen Curry took home the top spot.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: NBA 2K ranks Rockets forward Kevin Durant among the best 3PT shooters

#point #Seattle #supersonics #although

There are question marks about how capable the Los Angeles Lakers' new-look roster will be on the defensive end, especially on the perimeter, after they were 20th in defensive rating last season. New starting center Walker Kessler could improve their overall defense by himself, but there still seems to be an overall lack of high-level perimeter defenders.
But when it comes to the other end of the floor, there is a feeling that the Lakers will be very good and perhaps even elite. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves give them an outstanding foundation offensively, and the additions of Quentin Grimes, Collin **** ton, Sandro Mamukelashvili and even Matisse Thybulle will give the team the ability to hit from the outside and score in transition more than it has in a while.
Per Keith Smith of spotrac.com, a rival NBA scout raved about the Lakers' ability and potential on offense this coming season.
"Well, there's certainly a lot of offense. And I think it's offense that all fits together pretty well. They have way more shooting this year than last year. More off-the-dribble creation too. They should be a really good passing team also," a rival scout said. "Defensively…well, they'll score a lot of points! (laughs) If (head coach) JJ (Redick) can get this group in the top-20 on defense, give him Coach of the Year, because they'll probably be awesome."
Last season, L.A. was first in overall field-goal percentage, but just 10th in offensive rating, 14th in 3-point accuracy and 16th in fast-break points. Its offensive rating, 3-point shooting and fast-break points should increase now that it has a roster that is younger, more athletic, more fluid and more offensively well-rounded. Grimes and Mamukelashvili can not only hit from the outside but also operate off the dribble, and **** ton will help a bench that was starving for offense last season.

#well #Lakers #points

Several of Tottenham's reserve and academy teams have had Great Bavarian Journeys in recent years with loans to Bundesliga clubs. That's included former Spurs development player Luka Vuskovic's year at Hamburg, as well as Kota Takai spending last spring at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Now it looks like another young Spurs player will be heading to Germany.
Fabrizio Romano posted yesterday that German side FC Köln have submitted a proposal to Spurs to take Mikey Moore on loan for the season, and that the two clubs are in negotiations to confirm the deal. Moore is said to be open to the move.
Mikey's had something of a mixed preseason. He was named on the squad that toured to New Zealand and Australia, but didn't really impress that much in his limited minutes, despite flashing some of the prodigious talent that's brought him this far in his career. This might be exactly what he needs to unlock the next stage of his potential — a season on loan in what is perhaps the third best league in Europe.
I'd be hard pressed to call Köln a GOOD team — they finished 14th out of 18 in the Bundesliga last season — but that might provide Moore some more opportunities that he might not get at other clubs. ***** uming he's not sold, Moore would also play alongside (and in rotation with) Said El Mala, a precocious 19-year-old German winger with a high ceiling and links to bigger clubs. Sounds familiar, huh?
I don't hate this move at all if it happens. The preseason makes it feel like Moore still needs a little more time in the oven to cook before he's ready for Spurs' first team, and I think the Bundesliga will provide a new and different challenge than just dumping Mikey into the Championship this season. We'll see if, now that the team has returned from their tour, if this gets announced in the next couple of days.

#moore #SPURS #bundesliga #german

Managerless Newcastle announced the signing of Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Portuguese side Braga on Monday.
Hornicek has agreed a five-year deal after the Magpies activated his 30-million-euro (£25.7 million, $34.6 million) release clause, and he becomes the club's fifth signing of the summer.
"The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster from when I first heard about the move and now I'm so happy to be here," said the 24-year-old, who is expected to supplant Nick Pope as first-choice goalkeeper.
"I know Newcastle is a huge football city, with 52,000 fans at St James' Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game. I can't wait to play in front of them."
Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson said Hornicek had "firmly established himself as one of Europe's top young goalkeepers".

#signing #czech

A rebuild was always on the cards on Tyneside this summer, not least in the goalkeeping department.
Leaky Newcastle kept just eight clean sheets in the Premier League last season and conceded 55 goals, 15th overall with only relegated Burnley, West Ham and Wolves plus Leeds and Tottenham below them.
Newcastle's outfield players clearly did not offer enough protection, but goalkeeper Nick Pope made a handful of significant errors leading to goals while Aaron Ramsdale never fully convinced during his loan spell and has since returned to Southampton.
A new number one was therefore a priority and Newcastle have once again looked to the continent.
The club have mainly targeted players aged 20 and under from abroad, having already recruited Jaouen, Sean Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba, so Lukas Lukas Hornicek will feel like something of an elder statesman in comparison.

#lukas #leaky #league #west

Newcastle United have announced the signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from SC Braga a deal worth €30.578 million.
Hornicek was officially unveiled as the Magpies' latest signing this morning, having put pen to paper on a five-year contract — running until June 2031.
"The last few days have been an emotional rollercoaster from when I first heard about the move and now I'm so happy to be here. It's a brilliant opportunity in a new league, which I'm very excited about," the Czech international said on his arrival.
"From the very first moment I arrived here, I received a fantastic welcome and really felt the warmth of the club. Everyone has been brilliant in helping me settle in.
"I know Newcastle is a huge football city, with 52,000 fans at St. James' Park creating an incredible atmosphere and pushing the team every game. I can't wait to play in front of them."

#united #magpies

Lakers predicted to trade Jarred Vanderbilt, major draft capital for $88M Luka Doncic rim runner originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to continue what has already been a successful offseason after making several major acquisitions during free agency. Los Angeles immediately made a splash by acquiring Walker Kessler in a trade to begin the summer.
Now, the Lakers are looking to add more depth, whether that means finding another backup center behind Kessler or strengthening the power forward position.
"The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike reported. "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity."
Los Angeles has several trade ***** ets it could use to improve the roster. One name the Lakers have reportedly been looking to move throughout the summer is veteran forward Jarred Vanderbilt.

#Lakers #vanderbilt #walker

Mavericks fans will love Cooper Flagg already loading up for Year 2 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg will enter his sophomore season with an entirely different mindset. Last year, he started as an unassuming newcomer in the background, trying to learn the ropes from his veteran teammates. Now, he will be at the forefront of the Mavericks right from the onset.
Flagg lived up to the hype of being the first overall pick, giving Dallas an instant cornerstone following the departure of Luka Doncic. He quickly adjusted to the rigors of the NBA and showcased his all-around acumen, which was a testament to his maturity.
Remember: He is still a teenager.
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#clutchpoints

The Los Angeles Lakers made a few polarizing moves this offseason to upset fans hoping to have an easier path towards NBA Championship contention. One common criticism comes from Lakers fans unsure of why the team paid one of their bigger contracts to Collin ******* ton. The team already has Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as starters who will dominate the guard minutes.
Sexton likely knows of the criticism surrounding his name and shared the following promise to Lakers fans:
"I'm super excited to be a part of this organization and this team. You can expect someone who's going to come in every single day with energy and juice, ready to give it my all. You'll know you've got a dog on the court.
It's the Lakers, you know, it's so much going on here, so much history in the building. I feel like they're the best fans in the world. So, being able to go out there and put that jersey on each and every night, it's going to be a good time for sure."
The quote shows that ******* ton wants Lakers fans to know he is taking this opportunity seriously and wants to give his all. Winning is most important to ******* ton, and this will be one of his most noteworthy roles yet. ******* ton, Quentin Grimes, and Walker Kessler are the biggest additions needed to pan out for success.

#Lakers #sexton #going #criticism

Lionel Hollins explains how LeBron James made Anthony Davis a better player on the Lakers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now that LeBron James has left the Los Angeles Lakers, it marks the end of an era for the Purple and Gold. Of course, it's not too bad for them because they have another superstar to build around with Luka Doncic. However, there was a time when they did not have that megastar.
When James signed with the Lakers in 2018, he inherited a young team. However, they made a splash when they traded for Anthony Davis, a player who was toiling away on the New Orleans Pelicans at the time. That move sealed the deal for the Lakers, giving them a superstar duo.
When he was with the Pelicans, Davis was clearly one of the league's most gifted players. He was physically imposing with his height and length, but he also paired that with unreal talent. Davis could defend at the highest possible level in basketball, but he could also serve as the go-to option on offense.
That made him enticing for almost every team in the league. However, it was the Lakers that got him in a trade that had a significant package centered on Brandon Ingram at the time. It was a worthy gamble for the Lakers because it ended up with the team winning the 2020 championship.

#team #lebron #anthony

This article from SI.com's NBA Draft page takes a look at Duke big man Patrick Ngongba and what he needs to work on.
They're correct to say that, while he's a good athlete, he's not elite. However, intelligence is a more valuable ******* et than raw athleticism. Look at some guys who have carved out nice NBA careers despite limited athleticism, at least by NBA standards: Jared McCain, Jalen Brunson, and Luka Doncic, to name a few. Now look how many great athletes have washed out of the league or failed to live up to expectations.
Never bet against smart players.
Ngongba needs to prove he can stay healthy, but ******* uming he can do that, he has a lot to offer, and not just post play: "Ngongba will have to be much better to overcome his age, and potentially even add some skills not yet seen. Though it's not out of the question the NBA values his play-making big archetype, and ancillary skills, enough to take a shot on him in the late-lottery.
"Regardless, he should be a locked-in first-round selection with even limited improvement."

#needs #duke

Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be part of the Napoli project under new head coach Massimiliano Allegri and the latest reports indicate that MLS side Atlanta United are interested in picking up Belgium's all-time record goalscorer.
Lukaku is into the final year of his contract with Napoli having joined on a three-year deal from Chelsea during the summer of 2024. He went on to play a major role on Napoli's route to the 2024-25 Scudetto but was limited to just five league appearances in an injury-ridden campaign in 2025-26.
The 33-year-old is no longer a guaranteed starter at the Stadio Maradona, particularly with Rasmus Hojlund in the equation, and his agent has recently made it clear that the Belgian "isn't the kind of person who stays where he's not wanted."
Now, according to reports from Belgian expert Sacha Tavolieri, MLS side Atlanta United are 'pushing hard' in an attempt to sign Lukaku from Napoli this summer.
Talks between the relevant parties are reportedly already underway and Lukaku has supposedly given his approval to a move away from Napoli this summer, but at this stage, negotiations are still at an 'early stage'.

#summer #atlanta #united #stage

Fullcourtpass: AJ Dybantsa says he WANTS to guard Luka Doncic "I just want to be on like an ISO island. This sounds crazy, but I want to be on an ISO island and just really see if he's moving that slow." (Via RoadTrippinShow)
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "I just want to be on like an ISO island. This sounds …

#want #like #wants

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is in Europe this offseason, spending time with his daughters while rehabilitating from his hamstring injury.
Doncic missed the entire postseason and the end of the regular season after his left hamstring tore.
Despite talk about Doncic possibly coming back in time for the playoffs, the Slovenian and the Lakers decided against being irresponsible and held him out.
He has been a star for years, but Doncic is only 27 years old, and the organization was intent on protecting his long-term future, which LA hopes will be in purple and gold.
Mar 25, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball down court during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

#star #time

Sunderland continued their pre-season preparations with their second of three Premier League Summer Series games, this one resulting in a 1-0 loss to Leeds United.
But what are the main points of discussion following this match?
Our Swedish goalkeeper has taken a fair bit of flak on social media since conceding the only goal of the game.
After the ball was given away cheaply by Enzo Le Fée, Lukas Nmecha attempted a shot from around 40 yards out, which may well have been mishit. However, Ellborg found himself out of position and was unable to get back to stop the ball nestling in the bottom corner.
In my eyes, Ellborg did enough last season in the games he played to warrant his position as our number two.

#premier

Just days after acquiring center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Deandre Ayton, their starting 5 last season, to the Washington Wizards for two second-round draft picks and guard Jaden Hardy.
While some understood the reasoning behind the trade, others felt it was ill-advised. To them, Ayton would've made an outstanding backup center behind Kessler, although Ayton has never averaged fewer than 27 minutes a game in eight NBA seasons and would've likely gotten no more than about 15 minutes a game on this new-look Lakers squad.
Jovan Buha, who covers the team on his "Buha's Block" podcast, revealed during a recent episode an interesting reason why L.A. jettisoned Ayton, and according to him, it wasn't just to recoup a bit of the draft capital it gave up to get Kessler.
"My understanding with the Ayton situation is it's not just that they traded him to replenish the cupboard. I mean, they needed to save some money, and they got some ****** ets back. So I think those were the two driving forces of that move. Remember, they needed to save some money to get under the cap to execute several of their moves. However, it wasn't just that."
"There was also an element of Ayton and Luka [Doncic] sharing an agent, and they wanted to put Ayton in a position where he could continue to play and rehab his value. He's not going to be playing a ton. He's not going to be starting, but maybe AD (Anthony Davis) gets traded."

#kessler #Lakers #center #starting

Romelu Lukaku is about to return from his post-World Cup vacations, and the conversations to sort out his Napoli future, involving also Massimiliano Allegri, will ramp up. The parties are distant from finding a solution, Gazzetta dello Sport informs.
The striker has no plans to spend a campaign backing up Rasmus Hojlund, who was recently bought out for over €40M. The new Partenopei gaffer has exclusively rehearsed schemes featuring just one striker so far. The gaffer has frequently utilized 3-5-2 in his career, but they have a few wingers to employ.
Napoli can't give Lukaku the prominent role he aspires to. At the same time, they have no interest in keeping a reserve with a €11M gross salary. The center-forward seemed surely destined to leave after last season's events, but he had changed his tune earlier in the summer.
The Azzurri suggested extending his contract to dilute his wages to make them more manageable, but they were rebuffed. His exit isn't easy to orchestrate, considering his age, demands, injury history, and €10/12M valuation. The side aims to avoid a loss on its balance sheet. The team is hoping his performances across the pond will help in that regard. He wasn't a full-time starter for Belgium, but still made his presence felt with three goals and one ******* ist.
He's proven he can be dangerous in small doses, but the club also has to weigh other stuff, especially the economic side. Everything points toward an exit, with perhaps Saudi Arabia or the MLS coming to the rescue, if the Azzurri aren't too rigid on his price tag. But, as often happens with him, it'll get messy first.

#striker #time #exit #side

The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the NBA's busiest offseasons, losing 22-time All-Star forward LeBron James at the outset of free agency before replacing him with a hodgepodge of players they felt could complement superstar guard Luka Dončić.
While LA has exhausted most of its resources to appease Dončić, including making an all-in push for a high-level starting center, franchise icon Shaquille O'Neal doesn't see a viable path to the 2027 NBA championship.
Despite its strong 53-win finish to the 2025-26 season, LA's ******* le contention hopes were thwarted by Dončić's absence (hamstring) throughout the 2026 playoffs. The shorthanded squad was forced to put an excessive workload on 41-year-old James en route to a second-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers' inability to match up defensively against OKC and lack of complementary scoring options contributed to James seeking greener pastures in free agency. The four-time MVP announced his exit in late June, eventually opting to join the star-studded Philadelphia 76ers out East.
Looking to pick up the pieces, LA had significant money to work with this summer, with James' expiring $52.6 million contract coming off the books. Rob Pelinka and Co.'s biggest move came when they parted with unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030 to land restricted free agent big man Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz on a four-year, $130 million contract.

#star

Kevon Looney has a chance to become an underrated but key addition to the Los Angeles Lakers' roster. The No. 30 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, he spent his first 10 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, where he won three championships and made a living as an undersized but high-motor center who gobbled up boards, played effective defense, set screens and did the dirty work.
He just completed a bit of a down year with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he played in just 21 games and saw his shooting percentage plunge. Lakers fans feel he won't be an adequate backup center, especially if starter Walker Kessler suffers an injury, but if Looney is still spry, he could surprise some people.
During a recent appearance on the "Mason & Ireland Show) on ESPN 710 AM L.A. radio, Looney talked about how difficult it is to play against new teammate Luka Doncic and how he's looking forward to learning how to make things easier on the superstar.
"Playing against him sucks, especially being a big man," Looney said on Mason & Ireland on ESPN LA Radio. "You're in a lot of pick-and-rolls, you're getting iso'd, he picks on people and you gotta guard him 1-on-1 and he's probably the toughest guy to guard 1-on-1 in the league. Got to compete against him on the Lakers and in the playoffs when he was in Dallas.
"I'm excited to be on his team, be able to learn from him, be able to play pick-and-roll with him. He's probably the best pick-and-roll player in the league so being able to learn how he wants me to set screens and different things like that I'm excited about it. He's one of the best guys in the league and it makes my life a lot easier playing with him so I'm super excited."

#excited #able #ireland

Luka Doncic is reportedly going to welcome his Los Angeles Lakers teammates to Slovenia later this summer.
The Lakers have undergone a major rebuild following LeBron James' departure, with eight new players joining the team.
These new additions include Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin ****** ton, Kevon Looney, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
Given the huge roster turnover, the new-look Lakers must focus on building their team chemistry ahead of next season.

#slovenia #james

Long before LeBron James bid farewell to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, the transition of power within the franchise began. Luka Dončić, whom the Lakers famously traded for in February 2025, became their crown jewel.
But James remained at the heart of JJ Redick's squad that season and this past season. James and Dončić co-existed remarkably well, each respecting the other's game while forming an entertaining three-headed attack with Austin Reaves.
Even though the Lakers have been planning their future around Dončić for a good bit of time now, it wasn't until James officially closed the door on his chapter in L.A. that Dončić stood alone in the spotlight. He's the undisputed face of the franchise, and he's reportedly embracing a leadership role that's seemingly heightened in the absence of James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP.
In fact, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Dončić is hosting the entire Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August. The trip will feature workouts, golf, bonding and touring Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, McMenamin reported on Wednesday.
Dončić, a six-time All-NBA first teamer, is preparing for a pivotal season in his already prolific career. He played his way into the MVP conversation last season before a Grade 2 left hamstring strain effectively ended his campaign prematurely. He experienced that setback in early April and didn't make it back for the Lakers' postseason run, which came to a screeching halt in the Western Conference semifinals.

#lebron

Dave McMenamin: Luka Doncic is hosting the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August, a source close to the Lakers told ESPN. The itinerary will include workouts, golf and some Ljubljana tourism and bonding ahead of training camp.
x.com
No matter where LeBron decides to go, it would be seen as him chasing rings, since almost every team in the league already has stars. "Where does Charles and the legends want LeBron to go? Do they want him to go to the G League? Because if he went to Cleveland, is that team stacked? Is Miami with Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo is that team stacked? Jokic and Jamal Murray is that team stacked? Ant Edwards, Rudy Gobert I don't know; he left Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves is that not? I don't understand the premise of the complaint," Windhorst said in response. — 7/28/2026 basketballnews.com
Shams Charania: "The Heat are among several championship contending teams that are monitoring Klay Thompson's situation and have interest in Klay Thompson potentially via trade or a buyout. Klay Thompson is in the final year of his deal. You know he wants to compete for a championship as a four-time ****** le winner. He signed on with the Mavs a couple years ago to play with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. A lot has changed in Dallas." — 7/27/2026 YouTube

#doncic #league

Dave McMenamin: Luka Doncic is hosting the entire Los Angeles Lakers roster in Slovenia for a four-day minicamp in August, a source close to the Lakers told ESPN. The itinerary will include workouts, golf and some Ljubljana tourism and bonding ahead of training camp.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic hosting entire Lakers' roster in Slovenia for four-day minicamp next month

#hosting #four #dave

We've never seen Indiana football recruit at the level it's been lately.
The Hoosiers have had moments where they've reigned in highly-rated high school prospects, but they've been few and far between. They've never had a five-star commit, as happened when Monshun Sales announced his decision earlier this month. Nor have they ever landed one of the nation's top quarterback prospects, as happened when Lukas Prock did the same not long after. Sales and Prock are No. 1 and No. 2 in 247Sports' list of all-time Indiana commits.
With all of this in mind, we asked Indiana football fans how they felt about recruiting moving forward. There were responses that indicated a lack of optimism, but no respondents chose them.
Indiana fans, of course, have reason to be optimistic. Curt Cignetti and the rest of the Hoosiers' staff are coming off of the first national ******* le in program history and won it without a single 5-star on the roster, developing several other prospects into high-level contributors over time.
The Hoosiers enter the 2026 season with a similar build as former James Madison and Tom Allen Indiana players exhaust their eligibility and the roster is bolstered through the transfer portal and development of past recruits. Indiana sits at +950 to repeat as national champions, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

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