Australia’s champion cricket team will be seeking a seventh T20 World Cup triumph from just ten editions on Sunday after producing another dominant performance in a drama-filled semi-final at The Oval on Tuesday.
NFL teams shoot their shot with free agent LeBron James after Lakers exit
LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and will instantly become the top available player in NBA free agency.
James will have no shortage of interest as he prepares to change teams for the first time since he initially signed with the Lakers in 2018.
And that will include suitors from outside of the NBA, as a couple of NFL teams proved with social media posts following news of James' imminent departure.
The Jacksonville Jaguars wasted little time throwing their hat into the mix for James. Their social media team posted a meme suggesting their interest in the 22-time All-Star less than two hours after ESPN's Shams Charania first reported that James was leaving the Lakers.
Shortly thereafter, the Green Bay Packers posted a Photoshop edit of James wearing a Packers uniform on their social media accounts.
"Heard he's a free agent," Green Bay's post read.
Of course, the Jaguars and Packers were merely joking, as each knows James, 41, won't be switching sports at this point in his storied career.
That said, their posts provide a reminder that James was once considered a potential football star. James was an All-State receiver during his sophomore and junior seasons at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School before switching his focus to basketball full-time.
James flirted with the idea of playing football at times, even after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Notably, he received offers to work out for the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFL lockout, as he told The Athletic in 2021.
"I always think about it," James said regarding a potential career in football.
James – who was 26 at the time of the lockout – also opined he would have made either team had he gone through with the tryouts, which he ultimately decided against.
"I would have tried out, but I would have made the team," James said. "One thing about it, I don't mind working for something, so if I would have had to try out for the Cowboys or the Seahawks, or if I'd have stayed home and went back home to Cleveland, I'd have tried (out), but I would have made the team. I just know what I'm capable of doing on the football field. Especially at that age."
James' potential as a football star will remain a great "what if," but there's little doubt he made the right decision playing in the NBA
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL teams shoot their shot with free agent LeBron James after Lakers exit
LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy
As LeBron James departs the Los Angeles Lakers, two of the franchise's key figures – Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson – shared their thoughts on the impact he's had the club.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,’’ wrote Buss, the team’s governor and controlling executive. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.’’
Magic Johnson also had a key role in the Lakers signing LeBron James in 2018.
"I want to thank LeBron James and his super agent Rich Paul for taking a meeting with me back in 2018 when I was President of the Lakers and deciding to sign with us,'' Johnson wrote. " He created a whole new era for the Lakers, including leading us to an NBA Championship in 2020 and all the milestones he surpassed in a Lakers jersey. I’ll always love and be grateful for him and wish him all the best in the next phase of his life, on and off the court!"
The Lakers had failed to make the playoffs for five straight seasons before James arrived. The Lakers ended that drought in James’ second season with the team and reached the postseason in seven of his last seasons with the Lakers.
Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season, posted a photo of himself and James hugging with the caption: “An honor to play with and learn from you @kingjames.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy
LeBron James next team odds 2026: Will LBJ join Stephen Curry, Draymond Green on Warriors? Reunion with Heat?
Let's begin with the obvious and recurring theme of every summer: The NBA offseason never disappoints.
The official word has come down from the camp of King James; LeBron will be continuing his basketball career somewhere other than the City of Angels…but where? Let's run through a few of the candidates and the odds courtesy of DraftKings. We are not considering salary caps or James' salary demands. Those issues quickly become non-issues once an NBA star's intentions become known.
LeBron James Next Team: Long Shots
Heat (+1000)
As desperate as Pat Riley may be to win another championship, it's a safe assumption LeBron's departure from South Beach burned a bridge that has yet to be repaired.
Mavericks (+3000)
A second act featuring LeBron and Kyrie is appetizing only because it worked once…a long time ago. Frankly, though, it feels like it would be way too much to put on first-year Head Coach Dusty May and even more importantly would set back the maturation of the cornerstone of this franchise's future, Cooper Flagg. Hard Pass.
Knicks (+3000)
There was a time not long ago that Knicks’ fans were begging LeBron to call Madison Square Garden home, but those days are ancient history now that Jalen Brunson has brought the Big Apple its first NBA Title since 1973.
Nets (+4000)
Rumors that Jaylen Brown winds up in Brooklyn. Believable. LeBron James to a team that is currently irrelevant in terms of winning a championship? Not a chance.
76ers (+5000)
Lebron James has played in 201 regular season games over the last three seasons. Joel Embiid has played in 96. Doubtful they could co-exist in the same locker room.
Clippers (+5000)
I like those odds better than the Nets but no way he goes from ShowTime to the other team in town. Just not his way.
LeBron James Next Team: Favorites
Cavaliers (+300)
Would be too good to have the King end his historic run with another championship in his hometown. Can that relationship work again, though? Like many a family, there were ups and downs during the first two marriages. Ohio is holding out hope the leaders in the clubhouse can’t find a way to put all the pieces together.
Warriors (-500)
A dream come true for Adam Silver, NBC, and all broadcasting partners of the Association. The rumor gaining traction by the moment has LeBron and Anthony Davis joining Draymond and Steph Curry for what would appear to be a final run. Yes, there will be aches and sore joints that will accompany what surely will be one of the oldest starting 5’s in the history of the NBA, but a tremendous opportunity for Advil, Motrin, Icy Hot or all of the above to tie their brand to what will be must watch TV all season.
The NBA offseason never disappoints.
Kawhi Leonard trade grades for Raptors, Clippers blockbuster that returns legend to Toronto
Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to one of the most improbable championships in NBA history back in 2019 during his only season with the franchise. Leonard would leave for the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency weeks later, and ever since both parties have failed to recoup the same level of success they enjoyed together.
The idea of Leonard returning to Toronto felt like it was never going to happen, but things can change fast in the NBA. Six years after they teamed up on an unforgettable run to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Kawhi and Raptors are together again.
Toronto acquired Leonard from the Clippers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-round picks, according to Shams Charania. We’ll update this post when the exact details on the picks are announced.
The Raptors believe they can compete to win the East again with Leonard in tow. The Clippers are rebuilding. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.
Raptors grade for Kawhi Leonard deal
Toronto returned to the playoffs last year after three years in the wilderness, and pushing an eventual conference finalist in the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first-round. The Raptors mostly did it with defense, riding a top-5 unit to 46 wins while the offense was league-average. If Toronto wanted to improve this year, they had to boost the offense without sacrificing the defense, and they did exactly that by landing Leonard.
Kawhi immediately fixes a lot of Toronto’s biggest issues if he can stay healthy. He gives them half-court shot creation, three-point shooting, and another ferocious wing defender who can roam off the ball as his younger teammates take on tougher assignments. Leonard quietly had one of the best years of his career at 34 years old last season, putting up a career-best 43.3 points per 100 possessions while also rebounding the ball as well as ever. He graded out as the fifth-best player in the league last season by EPM, and finished even better than that in a lot of other all-in-one advanced metrics.
You don’t need a fancy algorithm to tell you Kawhi is really good at basketball when he’s on the floor. He’s a super efficient scorer from all three levels who doesn’t turn the ball over, rebounds well, and can still be a terror defensively. It’s pretty amazing that Toronto was able to land him without really giving up much value.
Ingram had a nice year last season, but he was absolutely not on a team-friendly contract with $82 million owed to him over the next two seasons. Dick has mostly been a bust. This is all about Toronto giving up two future first-round picks and a pick swap. You can argue the Raptors are mortgaging their future to chase a championship right now with Kawhi, but he’s worth it as long as he can stay on the floor. It’s wild that the Raptors gave up more draft capital to get Kawhi in 2026 than they did in 2018.
The only risk here for the Raptors comes with Kawhi’s looming contract extension. He’s 35, and obviously he has a long history of not being healthy before this past season. Judging this move in a vacuum, though, it’s a home run for Toronto. I don’t know why other possible contenders didn’t get in on the bidding.
Raptors grade: B+
Clippers grade for Kawhi Leonard deal
It’s understandable that the Clippers didn’t want to give Kawhi a contract extension, and that made trading him an easy choice. His value was never going to get higher than it is right now after a terrific season. I’m just not sure the Clippers got the best deal they could have.
The bidding for Kawhi seemed like it was a bit depressed because he indicated he was only willing to sign an extension with the Raptors or San Antonio Spurs. My response to that: who cares! Leonard is so good that other contenders should have been trying to trade for him. We’ve already seen him lead a championship run as a rental, and it might actually be a good thing for another team that he won’t take a contract extension right now if his body breaks down again. I think Denver, Boston, Detroit, Philly, and more should have gotten in on the bidding. The Raptors’ offer wasn’t that strong.
My guess is the Clippers flip Ingram either at the trade deadline or next summer as an expiring contract. The two first-round picks are the real prize here, and the Clippers did well to also get a future pick swap.
The Clippers’ future rests on the shoulders of No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler, with Darius Garland as a sub-headliner, and now they have more future assets to continue to build around them. LA has a lot of work to do, but getting out of the Kawhi business is a smart move because they couldn’t compete for a title with him. They did well in this trade for an expiring contract.
Clippers grade: A
Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal
All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard is on the move.
The Los Angeles Clippers traded the 14-year veteran to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks ahead of the start to NBA free agency, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, June 30.
Leonard, 35, had expressed a desire to stay with the Clippers, with whom he first signed with as a free agent before the 2019-20 NBA season. However, the Clippers had been reluctant to make a long-term commitment to the seven-time All-Star.
Leonard averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game last season and finished seventh in the NBA MVP voting. However, the Clippers finished with a 42-40 record and lost to the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.
Kawhi Leonard trade details
- Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard
- Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks
Kawhi Leonard age
Kawhi Leonard turned 35 years old on June 29, 2026.
Kawhi Leonard contract
Leonard has one season left on his contract, which is scheduled to pay him $50.3 million.
The trade immediately makes him eligible to sign up to a two-year, $123.7 million extension with his new team, according to ESPN.
Kawhi Leonard's history with Raptors
This move reunites Leonard with the Raptors. Leonard played just one season in Toronto, but it was a memorable one.
After spending the first seven seasons of his pro career and winning a championship in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard was traded to the Raptors in 2018. He led the team on a historic run to the franchise's first-ever NBA title, defeating the Warriors in six games in 2019.
Leonard was named the NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career but left at the end of the season to sign with the Clippers.
What teams has Kawhi Leonard been on?
Kawhi Leonard has played for three teams during his 15-year NBA career. He played seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs to start his career and then spent the 2018-19 season with the Toronto Raptors. He has played for the Los Angeles Clippers since the 2019-20 season.
Kawhi Leonard stats
Leonard averaged a career-best 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Clippers during the 2025-26 season.
Kawhi Leonard Aspiration scandal
Though Leonard is leaving the Clippers, his legacy will remain behind in the form of the NBA's pending investigation into the franchise's conduct related to an endorsement deal Leonard signed after joining the Clippers. Leonard and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer have reportedly been interviewed as part of the investigation.
Leonard is alleged to have sign a no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, a company that sponsored the Clippers, as a way to circumvent the NBA's salary cap and collective bargaining agreement. Though Ballmer has admitted to introducing Leonard to Aspiration's leaders, the Clippers have denied any allegations of illegal behavior concerning the NBA's CBA.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at the NBA Finals that the league is close to wrapping up its investigation into the matter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal
Dallas Mavericks Exercise Ryan Nembhard’s Team Option
The Dallas Mavericks will exercise point guard Ryan Nembhard’s $2.2 million team option for the 2026-27 season, according to Marc Stein.
In his rookie season, he averaged 6.6 points on a shooting split of 41.5 field goal percentage/35.6 three-point percentage/80.6 free throw percentage, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 appearances. Nembhard set an NBA rookie record with 23 assists in Dallas’ 2025-26 season finale against the Chicago Bulls.
The floor leader will play for the Mavericks during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting on July 9 against forward Graham Ike and the Golden State Warriors.
That wasn’t the only recent news regarding the Nembhard family. Both Ryan and Indiana Pacers combo guard Andrew Nembhard, plus Italy’s Reyer Venezia forward Kyle Witjer, were named to the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team’s 16-man training camp roster before the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Canada will host Puerto Rico on July 3 and Jamaica on Jul 6 at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.
At the conclusion of this third qualifying window for Canada, Ryan will then make his way to Sin City to join the Dallas organization.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers, 'Hope I made a few proud'
The cat's out the bag. LeBron James is not returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for his 24th NBA season. And the King has spoken.
The four-time NBA champion first joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018. Eight summers later, James is hanging up his Laker jersey for a new basketball home in the twilight of his career.
His agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul informed ESPN that the Lakers can begin their offseason plans without James in mind, deciding to test free agency at age 41.
The sports world reacted. Many were shocked. Some saw it coming. Others didn't think it would actually happen. Yet, here we are.
James responded on an X (formerly Twitter) post.
"No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the (purple and gold) while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint," James wrote back.
Heartfelt messages of gratitude have poured in on social media, thanking James for what he brought to the game, particularly for the Lakers. He received messages from Lakers legend Magic Johnson, now-former teammate Luka Doncic and team president Jeannie Buss.
Buss's message spanned across eight lines in a post describing what the four-time MVP has meant to the franchise since arriving in 2018.
"LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Laker family," Buss wrote.
James will continue to decipher what his next journey in the league will look like. The NBA free agency period opens June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers, 'Hope I made a few proud'
Report: Cavs looking to clear space for LeBron by trading two players
The LeBron James sweepstakes are off and running. Naturally, the Cleveland Cavaliers are right in the mix to bring the 41-year-old superstar back home. They have some housekeeping to do before that happens, though.
The Cavs are reportedly looking to trade Dennis Schroder and/or Max Strus in order to open space for James to sign in Cleveland, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
“The Cavs are trying to trade forward Max Strus, so they could sign LeBron or another player into that mid-level exception,” said Vardon.
Yahoo’s Jake Fischer confirms the report, adding that a salary dump would also give the Cavs a better chance at retaining forward Dean Wade.
Cleveland is in a tough spot financially. As of writing, they could only offer James the veteran minimum to wear the wine and gold again. But, if they can consolidate some of their talent for additional cap space, the non-taxpayer mid-level exception could become available to them.
Dumping Strus’s or Schroder’s salary is one way they can get closer to that.
Strus is set to make $16 million next season. Schroder will make $14.8 million. Unloading both would give them access to the NTLME. Moving one while negotiating a discounted deal on James Harden’s next contract could achieve the same result.
A few things are working in Cleveland’s favor. Not only are they the most storybook ending location for James to complete his career, but reports have already suggested that money will not be the deciding factor in where James lands this summer. That benefits the Cavs, as they simply don’t have much money to offer James. But there’s no place like home.
Strus and Schroder both aided Cleveland in their run to the Eastern Conference finals last season. Strus, especially, has been a fan favorite for his hustle and playoff intensity over the years. The Cavs would have to trade either of them without taking any salary back to unlock the NTLME. But if landing James is the final result, it would be worth it.
No one knows where James will take his talents next. All the Cavs can do is clear the way for the easiest landing possible if James decides that he wants to end his career at home.
Atlanta-Based PrizePicks Named Official Partner of NBA's Hawks
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A pair of Atlanta staples are teaming up as official partners in a landmark first.
Key Takeaways
- PrizePicks announced its first NBA team partnership with the Atlanta Hawks.
- The deal includes branding at State Farm Arena, broadcast integration, and new fan experiences.
- The partnership expands PrizePicks' growing sports portfolio that also includes the Atlanta Braves and the NBA at large.
Daily fantasy sports operator PrizePicks announced a new partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, marking the first NBA team partnership for the prominent sports entertainment brand.
The partnership further cements PrizePicks' presence in Atlanta's sports scene, with the company headquartered in the Peach State’s capital city. PrizePicks additionally has long maintained a partnership with MLB’s Atlanta Braves dating back to 2020.
ATL runs deep in our DNA ‼️🍑 Excited to partner with our hometown team @ATLHawkshttps://t.co/IuCD5VcKNY
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) June 29, 2026
"PrizePicks was born in Atlanta and basketball has always been part of our soul, so we couldn’t be more excited that our first NBA franchise partnership is with our hometown team,” said Joey Molko, PrizePicks' senior vice president of partnerships. “The Hawks share our obsession with bringing fans closer to the game, and we can’t wait to join them in making every game more fun to watch and to celebrate basketball culture in THE A."
Major integration on game days
The move will see PrizePicks partner not only with the club but with its home, State Farm Arena, with PrizePicks branding set to feature across the club’s game-day experience both in-person and on broadcasts.
“We are thrilled to be the first NBA franchise to partner with PrizePicks,” said Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “As two organizations with deep roots in Atlanta, we look forward to building something truly special together and creating new opportunities to deliver unique and engaging experiences to our fans."
The integration will also see the utilization of “certain groups of Atlanta Hawks players throughout the local market to appeal to the growing fan community on PrizePicks.”
The deal also introduces the PrizePicks Party Deck within State Farm Arena, where fans will be able to “enjoy elevated Hawks game-day experiences,” as well as other events hosted in-arena. PrizePicks will also serve as a presenting sponsor across multiple Hawks initiatives including Hawks AF (And Friends) and the club’s internally produced podcast series.
“Earlier this year, PrizePicks was named an Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner of the National Basketball Association,” the company noted. “Together, these partnerships reinforce the company’s commitment to professional sports and its continued focus on delivering innovative, fan-first experiences.”
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
9 LeBron James landing spots in NBA free agency that actually make sense, ranked
Welcome to The Decision 4.0. LeBron James is a free agent once again, and he’s about to switch teams for the fourth time in his career. James announced he’s done with the Los Angeles Lakers moments after Bronny James’ contract hit its guarantee date. LeBron stated he isn’t going to retire, which means he’ll have a new home for the 2026-27 season.
There’s already rampant speculation on where LeBron will land. The Golden State Warriors want to sign him immediately to pair him with Stephen Curry. The Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in a third reunion. You can bet there will be a couple of darkhorse teams James will seriously consider.
No one knows where LeBron will eventually end up, but my best prediction is that he’s going to drag this out for a little bit. While we wait on the legend’s latest decision, let’s rank the best possible landing spots for him next season.
9. Toronto Raptors
Bring back LeBronto!
Toronto already landed Kawhi Leonard via trade this summer. Why not add LeBron, too? It could potentially help LeBron’s business interests in his post-playing career to play in a diverse international market like Toronto, and he probably thinks him and Kawhi could win the East right away when flanked by Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and others. I really just wanted another excuse to say “LeBronto.”
8. Boston Celtics
LeBron is a history buff, and the Celtics have a case as the most historic franchise in the NBA. Watching Joe Mazzulla coach LeBron would be absolute cinema, and I think he would appreciate playing with Jayson Tatum. The Celtics need a power component to their chucking threes offense, and that’s one thing old man LeBron can still do.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
If LeBron wants his fifth ring, OKC is probably his best bet to get it. The Thunder really needed another ball handler and isolation scoring threat last season as they fell short in the Western Conference Finals. Going to OKC would allow LeBron to chill for most of the regular season, and then empty the tank for the playoffs. Everyone would hate it if this happened, but it would be must-see hoops.
6. New York Knicks
LeBron flirted with signing with the Knicks in 2010 before deciding on the Heat. I’m sure there’s part of him that always dreamed of playing in New York at Madison Square Garden, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got swept up in Knicks fever during their 2026 championship run like everyone else. Push Josh Hart to the bench and let LeBron rock out as the Knicks try to go back-to-back.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
I love the basketball fit here. The Wolves need a bigger wing that can connect Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. There’s no better option than LeBron. I know what you’re thinking: LeBron doesn’t want to babysit LaMelo. I get it, but Ball is an elite playmaker who could set up LeBron for a lot of easy buckets, and that team would be ridiculous in transition. Take the Wolves seriously, LeBron!
4. Miami Heat
Everyone is talking about the Cavs reunion, but what if LeBron wants to team up with Pat Riley one more time on his way out the door? LeBron had the best years of his career in Miami, and he still has a strong relationship with Erik Spoelstra. With Giannis and Bam locked in, the Heat just need to add depth. LeBron is a pretty great depth piece, in my humble opinion.
3. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are one of the great adversaries LeBron has faced in his career, and he’s always had a ton of respect for the franchise. LeBron loves Gregg Popovich, who is still hanging around the franchise. Going to San Antonio would give him an elite chance to compete for a championship while also helping mentor Victor Wembanyama. I doubt LeBron or Wemby really wants this outcome, but it’s fun to think about.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron has to end his career with the Cavs. He just has to. The retirement tour wouldn’t feel right anywhere else. So why is Cleveland at No. 2 on this list? Well, it’s because this won’t be LeBron’s final season.
1. Golden State Warriors
Apparently there are a lot of people that think LeBron going to Golden State to play with Steph Curry would be lame. Those people are bozos and cannot be trusted. LeBron and Steph were fantastic together at the Paris Olympics, and I’d love to see them team up for a season before he bolts again for Cleveland for the 2027-28 retirement tour. I do not think the Warriors could win a title with the world’s oldest superteam, but every game would feel like a marquee event. This needs to happen.
Buffalo Sabres hire longtime former player Milan Lucic as a pro scout
Oct 11, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) during the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Former NHL player Milan Lucic has gone from being a one-time Buffalo Sabres’ antagonist to landing a job as a pro scout, the team announced as part of a series of hirings and promotions on Tuesday.
Lucic joins the Sabres weeks after announcing his retirement in ending a 17-year NHL career. The 38-year-old spent his first eight seasons with Boston, where Lucic won a Stanley Cup in 2011.
And it was with the Bruins where Lucic drew the ire of the Atlantic Division-rival Sabres and their fans. He was particularly vilified for bowling over Sabres goalie Ryan Miller during a game in Boston in November 2011.
Miller missed several weeks with a neck injury and, following the game, called the 240-pound Lucic as “gutless,” for hitting a player 50 pounds lighter. Meantime, Sabres players were criticized for not stepping in to defend their star goalie.
The Sabres announced their front office additions made under first-year Buffalo general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
Buffalo pro scout Stacy Roest was promoted to director of player personnel and GM of the Sabres minor league affiliate in Rochester.
Sabres development coach and former player Tim Kennedy was promoted to director of player development. He will be joined by Derek Dorsett, who was hired as a forward development coach.
Former NHL player Jarkko Ruutu takes over as the team’s European development coach, and rejoins Kekalainen after the two previously worked together in Columbus.
Neil Komadoski was hired as assistant director of pro scouting, following 16 seasons working in a scouting role for the Vancouver Canucks.
LeBron James isn't the only high school draftee with a long NBA career. Who else did?
It's official - LeBron James is leaving the Lakers. The one thing he still isn't leaving, however, is the league.
His record-setting NBA career has already rewritten the history books and redefined longevity, and it all started decades ago in a way that most NBA careers do not: right after high school graduation.
In the elite group of NBA players that have made the jump straight from high school to the NBA, there have been a number of successful careers – and, with James as a prime example, a number of pretty lengthy ones.
Here are the five longest NBA careers by players drafted straight out of high school:
1. Lebron James
Seasons in the NBA: 23 and counting
Of course, the king himself tops this list. Drafted in 2003 by the Cleveland Cavaliers right after graduating from St.Vincent-St. Mary high school in Akron, Ohio, James has become a face of the league. His NBA career has spanned the Cavs, the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers – and now, with his recent announcement, it could be landing him somewhere new yet again.
2. Kevin Garnett
Seasons in the NBA: 21
One of the first players to make the jump directly from high school, Garnett made his mark on the league and on future high school draftees during his two decades of play. After graduating from Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, the 15-time NBA All-Star was taken fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1995 draft and went on to become MVP in 2004 and a champion in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. He retired in 2016 and recently joined the Timberwolves as a “team ambassador.”
3. Kobe Bryant
Seasons in the NBA: 20
Always in the GOAT conversation, Bryant’s jump from Lower Merion high school in Pennsylvania to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 proved to be the best decision he could have made. He played his entire 20-year career in LA, becoming a Lakers legend and leading star-studded rosters to five NBA championships – with a couple of statues to boot. He retired in 2016 and remains an international basketball icon.
4. Tyson Chandler
Seasons in the NBA: 19
Drafted straight from Manuel Dominguez High School in California to the Chicago Bulls in 2001, Chandler played for eight different teams throughout his nearly two decades in the league, winning a title with the Mavericks in 2011. He recently retired in 2020 and returned to work as a player development coach for the Mavs.
5. Jermaine O’Neal
Seasons in the NBA: 18
Although a championship ring evaded him, O’Neal’s 18-year career still speaks for itself. After being drafted 17th overall by the Portland Trailblazers in the 1996 NBA draft – just a few picks after Bryant – straight from Eau Claire high school in South Carolina, O’Neal went on to become a six-time All-Star and a franchise cornerstone for the Indiana Pacers. He retired in 2014 and now runs Dynamic Prep, a high school basketball academy in Texas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James isn't the only high school draftee with a long NBA career. Who else did?
Kings Finalize Peter Laviolette's Coaching Staff With Three Key Additions
The Los Angeles Kings have completed Peter Laviolette's coaching staff for the 2026-27 season, announcing the additions of Phil Housley as associate coach and Chris Hajt and Ray Whitney as assistant coaches.
Assistant coach Derik Johnston and goaltending coach Mike Buckley will remain on Laviolette's staff after serving in those roles last season.
Housley reunites with Laviolette after previously working alongside him with both the Nashville Predators and New York Rangers. The Hockey Hall of Famer most recently spent two seasons as an assistant coach in New York before joining the Kings.
The 62-year-old brings more than a decade of NHL coaching experience. Before his time with the Rangers, Housley served as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017-19 and spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Arizona Coyotes. He began his NHL coaching career in Nashville, where he worked under Laviolette from 2013-17 and helped guide the Predators to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history.
During his 21-year playing career, Housley appeared in 1,495 NHL games, recording 338 goals and 1,232 points. Both totals rank fourth all-time among NHL defensemen. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 after earning seven NHL All-Star selections and representing the United States internationally on multiple occasions.
Hajt joins the Kings after spending nine seasons with the Ontario Reign, Los Angeles' American Hockey League affiliate, where he most recently served as associate coach. His time with the organization included six playoff appearances, two Pacific Division titles and a trip to the Western Conference Final.
The 47-year-old also has previous NHL coaching experience, serving as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons under Housley.
Before joining Ontario, Hajt helped the Manchester Monarchs capture the 2015 Calder Cup and previously spent six seasons behind the bench with the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm, where he was part of the club's 2014 OHL championship team.
Whitney enters the NHL coaching ranks following a distinguished 22-season playing career that included 1,330 regular-season games and 1,064 career points.
Selected 23rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 NHL Draft, Whitney played for eight NHL organizations and won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 under Laviolette. He later spent three seasons as a professional scout with Carolina before coaching youth hockey in Arizona.
The Kings also confirmed Johnston and Buckley will remain on the coaching staff.
Johnston returns after serving as an assistant coach last season, while Buckley continues as goaltending coach following his work with the Kings and his role as Team USA's goaltending coach at the Winter Olympics.
With the announcement, the Kings have finalized Laviolette's first coaching staff as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.
'I'm Super Excited To Get Going': Livanavage Learns From Debut, Aims To Make Impression In Training Camp
Slowly but surely, the Pittsburgh Penguins are making some sneakily good moves to add depth to their prospect pool on the blue line.
For two offseasons in a row, Penguins' president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas has identified defense as an area of concern that the Penguins need to improve upon. In the summer of 2025, he went out and grabbed left defenseman Parker Wotherspoon traded to the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday - who became a staple on the top pairing next to a vintage-form Erik Karlsson. There is also the up-and-coming righty in Harrison Brunicke, who will likely see more time at the NHL level next season.
Since then, Dubas has continued to add. And one of those additions is an NCAA product who possesses some nice upside.
In the final days of the regular season, Dubas and the Penguins signed NCAA free agent left defenseman Jake Livanavage to a two-year, entry-level contract, and he burned the first year of that deal when he made his NHL debut on Apr. 14 against the St. Louis Blues in the final game of the Penguins' regular season.
"Obviously, it was a dream come true. Something you want to happen since you were a little kid," Livanavage said of making his debut. "Just such a surreal moment, and, you know, the guys in the locker room are awesome. To be around some of the best in the world, it was lot of fun and something that I always look back on and I'm super grateful for."
Prior to making his debut, Livanavage was able to hang around Sidney Crosby and some of the Penguins' other veterans in the press box and during practices, learning as much as he could from them before taking the ice against the Blues.
"I don't know what most people put him at, but he's definitely a top-three player to ever play the game," Livanavage said. "So, to be able to sit next to him and pick his brain and see what he does on a day-to-day basis was... I don't think you can really get any better than that. So, just super grateful, and [he's] an awesome leader."
Penguins Sign Intriguing NCAA Free Agent Defenseman, Report Him To PittsburghThe Pittsburgh Penguins dipped into the NCAA free agent pool on Friday when they signed Jake Livanavage, an in-demand defenseman out of the University of North Dakota.Even though his debut last spring was something he'll never forget, Livanavage is ready to turn the page. And he is gunning for a spot on the Penguins' opening night roster out of training camp.
Livanavage, a USHL product, put up some impressive numbers with the Chicago Steel in junior hockey before committing to the University of North Dakota, where he spent the last three seasons. The 22-year-old recorded 14 goals and 82 points to go along with a plus-40 in 117 games with North Dakota, and he helped lead them to the NCAA National Championship last season, where they lost to the University of Denver.
"It was awesome. Anytime you're playing for a championship at any level, it's incredible," Livanavage said. "Not the outcome we wanted, but just a special group that we had, and the bond in the locker room that we had, it was pretty special. Like, those teams don't come around very often, so it was just an unbelievable year, and I'm just so thankful for that program and the opportunity they gave me."
3 Big Takeaways From Dubas's End-Of-Season Press ConferenceOn Tuesday, Pittsburgh Penguins' general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas met with the media to discuss the 2025-26 season and what's next for the organization this summer.His collegiate hockey experience - like many other NCAA prospects have echoed - allowed him the time to get into the gym and work on some off-ice training ventures that he didn't get the opportunity to pursue otherwise with his junior hockey schedule. The Gilbert, Ariz. product said the five days between games during the week allowed him to put on size, recoup his body, and better condition him to play against increasingly bigger competition.
He is well aware that putting on even more size would benefit him in readying for NHL competition, as he wants to keep building on his 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame. And, well, if what Livanavage said about his summer is true, he has already begun to accomplish that.
"This summer, it's just getting bigger and stronger," he said. "You know, being able to play against men. Just coming out and working as hard as I can and just being ready for training camp from the first day. I feel good right now, and I'm super excited to get going.
"I put on about 15 pounds this summer already. I feel like the weight gain in the summer, you know, it's challenging, but it's just something you have to do if you want to play at that level. And you, obviously, want to play there. It's anything you have to do to play at that level, so like I said, it's been 15 pounds this summer and a couple more to go."
New NCAA free agent signee Jake Livanavage arrives at PPG Paints Arena for his first day on the job and immediately gets to shadow a top-five player of all-time.
— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) April 11, 2026
Gotta be a pretty cool day for him, parked next to Sidney Crosby in the press box. They're isolated from the others.
Of course, Livanavage is one of the older players at the Penguins' annual prospect development camp this year. But, he sees it as an opportunity to get to know more guys - and, especially, guys around his age who he's played against in the past - in the organization in addition to the NHL talent he got to spend some time around in the last month of the 2025-26 season.
He also knows every development opportunity with the organization gives Pittsburgh the chance to be reminded why they called him in the first place. And Livanavage certainly remembers that Zoom call with Pittsburgh prior to signing.
There were other opportunities. But, added onto the fact that Pittsburgh has a rich winning history, Livanavage said that the Penguins felt like the right place to go immediately after he spoke with him - and he couldn't ask for a better culture to help foster his growth and development.
"Honestly, [in] my first zoom call with them, I got off the phone and just felt comfortable," he said. "It was a little bit of back and forth figuring out what we wanted and stuff like that, but when it came down to it, I just felt comfortable coming off the zoom call, and right away, it was just kind of like, 'I think that's it. Like, that's where I want to be.'
"I think the development they put into their players and how much, top to bottom, they care about their prospects and everything, it's super special. You don't get that everywhere."
'It's All About Learning': Penguins' Prospect Ryan Miller Hopes To Build On Strong SeasonPenguins' forward prospect Ryan Miller, a fifth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2025, put together a strong season WHL season and looks to keep building on that in the NCAABookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!