Chris Finch explains why Minnesota felt it needed LaMelo Ball to unlock Anthony Edwards
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a massive pivot this offseason — they went from a big, defense-first team hoping to get enough offense from Anthony Edwards to win, to becoming a high-flying offensive team hoping they can get enough defense to win big. It was a pivot the Timberwolves had to make — they had hit the ceiling with the current construction. If they were going to break on through, it was going to require big changes.
Enter LaMelo Ball.
After a blockbuster offseason trade, the Timberwolves may have the most dynamic backcourt in the NBA with Ball and Edwards. In an appearance on the Road Trippin Podcast with Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Kendrick Perkins, Minnesota head coach Chris Finch laid out why the franchise felt it had to do this (hat tip Bleacher Report).
"We probably did Anthony a disservice last year, at times, playing him as a point guard. It caught up to us. He did a really great job, but in the playoffs it was just double team after double team. We got to get him back to his natural position off the ball. We didn't create enough catch-and-shoot threes for him and when you look at the numbers with LaMelo on the floor with his teammates and the efficiency and the production, I mean Kon Knueppel shot seven percent higher from the three-point line with LaMelo on the floor than he did without... And obviously LaMelo's a phenomenal talent all by himself. We needed the connective tissue. We needed the point guard play."
Edwards is poised for a massive season, for my money maybe getting into the top five in MVP voting. Finch is spot on that teams last season — especially in the playoffs — could absolutely load up on Edwards and not fear repercussions. That is not the case now. Plus, with Ball, the Timberwolves should play much faster, leading to more easy buckets.
There are a lot of questions. Ball himself is not playoff-tested (he had 30 points in the play-in game against Miami but needed 31 shots to get there, then struggled in a play-in loss to Orlando). There is the defense, which is going to ask a lot of Gobert. This is a very different team than we had seen in Minnesota before, what will be its personality?
What the Timberwolves will be is very fun to watch. And LaMelo in town is going to be good for Ant. Very good.
Takeaways from Jaylen Brown’s introductory press conference
Five weeks and one LeBron James signing later, Jaylen Brown finally spoke to the media as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. He answered questions for about 20 minutes about his relationship with the team and teammates, both new and old, and what he’s looking forward to bringing the city of Philadelphia.
The first takeaway of Brown’s press conference was the location. As opposed to holding it at the Sixers’ practice facility in Camden where the majority of these availabilities are, Brown requested that his introduction be held at the Francis J. Recreation Center in West Philadelphia with dozens of children in attendance.
As someone who’s been active in the Boston community, Brown is hoping to have that same impact in his new city.
“People who know my family and I, we are rooted in the community,” Brown said. “That’s what we hang our hats on.”
The Francis J. Myers Center doesn’t necessarily mean a ton to Brown personally just yet. He admittedly is still trying to learn the city with this as his first step.
“As I’m getting started on a journey, embarking on a journey here in Philadelphia, the introduction, the first impression is everything,” Brown said. “I just wanted to let people know in Philadelphia that this is something that’s important to me.”
Those kids got to look on with members of the media, family and Sixers organization as Brown described his reaction to the trade as well as his new team. Brown said he threw his phone across the room when he first heard the news, but has since been in steady communication with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and LeBron James. Maxey, Edgecombe and Embiid all reached out to him pretty soon after the news broke. James has been active in the team’s group chats since he signed later in the month.
A theme of Brown’s presser was his desire to win and belief in the Sixers’ ability to do so, but he also isn’t sure exactly how that will look. He wasn’t shy about the fact that this roster is going to take some figuring out with the amount of star-quality mouths to feed. When asked what he’ll be bringing to the team, Brown sounded as curious as the rest of us.
“I’m not sure completely yet,” he said. “I think we’ll figure out as time goes on, as we start to spend time with each other, get on the court, and have conversations, etc.”
He didn’t shy away from the fact that there will be a lot of mouths to feed on this roster. The way he continually addressed winning and the habits it takes to do so reassures the idea that he will do whatever it takes to figure it out.
“I’m just excited to just be myself. I think that’s one thing that I can promise the city and the organization and the coaching staff, that I’m gonna come in every single day and be myself, put my best foot forward,” Brown said. “We’ll figure out the Xs and Os and the ins and outs. But winning is the agenda, so that’s the first thing that’s on my mind.”
To that point, the talent on the front end of this roster stands out to Brown just as much as anyone. He had high praise for the job the Sixers’ front office did as they sat in front of him in the first row.
“Obviously, on paper, we’re excellent,” he said, ”but I’ve been around a long time, long enough to know that just what you have on paper don’t really mean nothing.“
He wanted to stress that it takes the proper amount of work and dedication to take something on paper and turn it into actual success.
“It just takes the amount of work and the transparency, and the leadership can really guide this thing or not. So, for me, I’m just focused on that. How can I lead with my heart, lead with my work, my mentality?”
What will be interesting to see is how much of a vocal role Brown plays. He had tons of praise for Edgecombe when asked about him, but also admitted that he is not necessarily the mentor type. He tries to let his actions speak louder than words.
“I just come in with a mentality to impact winning, lead by example. I’m not designating myself as nothing. You gotta earn that with time and trust, and people gravitate naturally or they don’t,” he said, “but, you know, my focus is on winning.”
Brown has always been a highly motivated individual, and it feels now more than ever that a chip on his shoulder is driving him as a Sixer. He fielded several questions about the end of his Celtics tenure. He briefly mentioned how it didn’t end well there, as well as the fact that he hasn’t spoken to Jayson Tatum since being traded to Philadelphia.
His answer as to whether the trade was as motivating as his 2024 Olympic team snub said the most without having to say a lot.
“Um, yeah. I’m gonna say, it’s one day at a time. That’s all I got.”
Peyton Watson rumour round-up
Despite being summer, the NBA’s August doldrums continue at glacial speeds. But amidst the roster limbo the Bucks find themselves in, tidbits continue to emerge about one particular player of interest: Peyton Watson. Let’s catch up.
A delayed resolution?
The news: Reports from Jake Fischer indicate that a resolution on the Watson front might not come until some time in September, with Watson and his Klutch Sports Group agent Rich Paul apparently “willing to remain patient.”
Why it matters: For the Bucks, this continues their roster holding pattern. With Watson the most talented player the Bucks have been linked to—they have also been connected with Jonathon Kuminga and Benedict Mathurin—they are unlikely to make any roster moves until this situation plays out. So, the roster remains at 17.
Actively involved
The news: According to Shams Charania, the Denver Nuggets are actively exploring sign-and-trade possibilities for Watson and the Bucks remain very much in play:
[The Nuggets] are in active trade talks with multiple teams on a Peyton Watson sign and trade. That includes Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the Clippers. There are combinations of player packages, pick packages as well. So either they’re gonna trade him, or you could potentially have him back on a 1-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer.
Why it matters: With the Nuggets seemingly unwilling to increase their offer to Watson and the Bucks one of three teams listed in talks, this is an encouraging sign. Of course, with the Nuggets becoming a second apron team after matching the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offer to forward Spencer Jones—and going deeper into it by signing Lonnie Walker IV—any trade will be complex (to say the least).
Asset hesitation
The news: Meanwhile, despite their interest, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported that the Bucks are hesitant to include any first-round draft capital in a deal for Watson:
But while the Bucks are interested in the 23-year-old forward, league sources maintain they expect the Bucks to be hesitant to include a first-round pick in any deal for Watson as they continue building out their asset base post-Antetokounmpo.
Without giving up a first-round pick, the Nuggets would have to derive much of the value of a sign-and-trade with the Bucks from the player (or players) involved in the deal. While other teams interested in Watson might be giving up fringe rotation players with a first-rounder, the Bucks might need to include real rotation players to entice the Nuggets to consider their offer.
Why it matters: Jon Horst seems to be playing hardball. Yes, the Bucks would love to have Watson, but being in the extremely early stages of a rebuild, they shouldn’t be outwardly willing to cough up major assets to do so. Yes, Watson is worth a first-round pick. But Horst keeping that in his back pocket is the right move for now. Plus, the Bucks do have a logjam of rotational players that could be dealt in whatever convoluted trade ultimately materialises.
Where the Watson saga ends up is anyone’s guess. For all we know, the Bucks might simply be involving themselves as a trade facilitator taking on a contract they can absorb while bringing back additional assets. Either way, here’s hoping Horst has another heist up his sleeve.
NBA star James Harden’s Houston gun case dismissed
James Harden’s gun case will not linger into the NBA season.
The misdemeanor unlawful carrying of weapons charge that the Cleveland Cavaliers guard had been hit with stemming from his June arrest was dropped Thursday, according to court records viewed by The California Post.
Harris County, Texas prosecutors wrote in a motion to dismiss the case that they were seeking to dispose of the matter after Harden had completed an “alternative resolution agreement.”
A judge formally signed off on the motion just before 4 p.m. CT, the records show.
Messages seeking comment from Harden’s attorney as well as the Harris County District Attorney’s Office were not returned.
Harden was taken into custody on June 13 by the Houston Police Department after the 11-time All-Star allegedly had an unholstered firearm in plain view in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop.
Harden never publicly commented on the arrest, though the Cavaliers said in a statement on the day of the incident that they were “aware” of the situation and were “in the process of gathering additional information.”
“We are in contact with James and his representation,” the team said, “and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
Harden spent nine seasons of his NBA career in Houston. He had played for the Los Angeles Clippers for over two years before joining Cleveland this past season.
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Jaylen Brown ‘threw my phone across the room’ when he found out he was traded to 76ers
Jaylen Brown revealed he was in sheer disbelief when he was traded to the 76ers. So much so that he chucked his phone.
The five-time All-Star was introduced to the Philadelphia media on Thursday and discussed how he found out he was being traded.
“When I first got traded I just threw my phone across the room,” Brown told reporters of his reaction to the July deal that sent him from Boston to Philly.
“Who [reached out] first? It might have been [Tyrese] Maxxey. … He reached out and was like, ‘I know there’s a lot of stuff going on right now, but we [are] excited to have you.'”
Brown was acquired by the 76ers after much speculation about where he’d play in 2026-27. In return, the Celtics got Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round draft picks.
Brown added that he’s still processing the news. He said the excitement of being in a new city with new expectations hasn’t worn off.
He also pointed out that he was in Boston for 10 years, over a third of the 29-year-old’s life to this point, and has to get used to his new normal.
A large part of his Celtics experience was shared with Jayson Tatum, and their relationship was rumored to have deteriorated throughout the past few seasons.
Brown, however, said Thursday that he leaves Tatum with nothing but respect.
“We won a championship together,” Brown said. “Anybody that you win a championship with, you think that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail.
“Obviously, there’s ups and downs in any type of relationship, for sure. On my end, there’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays for the Sixers, I hope he does well.”
Another relationship brought into the limelight after the trade was Brown and 76ers star Joel Embiid.
Brown previously called out Embiid’s flopping on a livestream after the two had been cagey throughout the Celtics-Sixers first-round playoff series this past season.
Then, two weeks after the trade, it was reported that the two had not talked since the playoffs, leading Brown to clear the air.
“It’s been good,” Brown said about his relationship with Embiid. “Me and Joel been friends throughout the years, have mutual respect. I know he loves soccer, I love soccer, so we talk about that a lot.”
Knicks assistant won’t return to team after three seasons: ‘Best years of my life’
At least one Knicks assistant won’t be back next year.
Carson Shanks, who spent the last three years with the Knicks as an assistant, won’t be returning. His contract expired this offseason, according to a league source.
He most recently served as the team’s assistant director of video/analytics and player development. A 7-footer who played college basketball at North Dakota and Loyola Chicago, he often worked with the team’s big men in warmups.
“3 years of the Mecca, 3 years of the City, 3 years of being a New York Knick, and most importantly, 3 years of Memories and Relationships that’ll never go away,” Shanks posted on Instagram. “The Garden shaking and sharing it with family, the sounds of the city during the parade, the taste of that champagne, the feel of the Larry O’Brien trophy, things I’ll have forever.
“SO excited for what is next, but thank you New York for 3 of the best years of my life.”
All of coach Mike Brown’s front-of-the-bench assistants are expected to be back next year, though there could be some other movement further down the pecking order.
Jaylen Brown dishes on relationship with Jayson Tatum in Sixers introduction
Holding his first press conference since he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, star forward Jaylen Brown stressed that he’s moving on from his time with the Boston Celtics.
He didn’t shy away, however, from hints that his final days there weren’t without challenges.
During a Twitch stream in early July, Brown had said he felt there was “a bit of a lack of respect” during trade talks and discussions of Brown’s future, adding that he “wasn’t thrilled” with the way Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens “facilitated some of the conversations.”
When asked Thursday, Aug. 6 what bothered him about his final days with the Celtics, Brown wanted to look forward.
“The whole process,” Brown said. “But to be honest, my mind is so focused on what’s in front of me. I’m moving on. Maybe one day we can share the details of how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously, it’s a lot of speculation; I feel no need to chime in on it because I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”
Brown did say that he looks back on his time as a Celtic with gratitude from the city and how it helped him develop as a person. Brown also added the he’ll continue to be active in the Boston community.
Brown revealed that when he first learned of the trade from Boston to Philadelphia, he threw his phone across the room, though he did not elaborate on the emotions behind that.
There has been speculation that the relationship between Brown and Celtics star Jayson Tatum had become strained. The two were teammates in Boston for nine seasons, and the pair won the 2024 NBA Finals, with Brown winning Finals Most Valuable Player.
“We won a championship together,” Brown said when asked how he would characterize his relationship with Tatum. “So anybody that you win a championship with, you would think that’s a brotherhood or a life-long legacy would entail. Obviously, there’s ups and downs in any relationship, for sure. But on my end, there’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based in respect.”
When asked if the two had been able to talk, Brown responded: “Not really.”
The 76ers and Celtics completed the trade July 1, with Philadelphia sending Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round selections back to Boston.
“People attacked my character,” Brown added. “Someone even went as far and said I had a disease. So it has been a crazy transition, to be honest. But none of it is completely surprising, even though some of these things were said externally. Internally and through the organization, there had been conversations. I wasn’t that surprised.”
Brown held his press conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in the Kingessing neighborhood of Southwest Philadelphia, opting to bypass the session being held at the 76ers facility and choosing to introduce himself to the city’s community. He also invited local children to attend.
“For me, and people who know my family and I, we are rooted in the community,” Brown said. “That space – that’s where we hang our hat, is being able to affect other people’s lives. We’re very blessed. We’ve been able to help our own family and be able to change the course of what our generation and our family name can possibly do, but we look forward to being able to impact others and being able to touch families and households that we may never get to see.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaylen Brown dishes on relationship with Jayson Tatum in Sixers introduction
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Mavericks ‘very resistant’ to buyout for Klay Thompson due to Lakers, Heat interest
Positioned directly in the dog days of summer, it’s prime time for teams to bluff like crazy, which appears to be what the Mavericks are doing.
One of the latest developments this offseason is a potential Klay Thompson-Lakers pairing. The veteran sharpshooter was once a free agent target in a different era for the purple and gold. After changes in both Dallas and Los Angeles, he could be back on the market late this summer with the Lakers interested.
Entering the final year of his contract, Thompson is a prime buyout candidate. Teams are aware of this and are lining up for him, with the Lakers included among them.
However, Dallas is also aware of that interest and is definitely not bluffing that they’ll keep Thompson and trade him. For now, that is their stance, as reported by Jake Fischer on a recent Bleacher Report video (emphasis added).
“To this point, Dallas has not been looking to find a buyout agreement with Klay Thompson. He’s got one year left on a three-year, $51 million deal that he signed two seasons ago when he left the Golden State Warriors, the franchise he won four championships with, of course…Klay Thompson very nearly chose the Los Angeles Lakers with then LeBron James over joining Dallas originally to pair with Luka Doncic and where’s Luka Doncic right now? Of course, with the Lakers. There’s plenty of connective tissue there that makes sense here. The only thing is, the Mavericks have been very resistant, to my understanding, of actually moving forward and agreeing to a buyout with Klay Thompson. They believe this market that’s shaping up for him, the fact that there is some LA interest, the fact that there is Miami interest. There’s probably other places that have interest in Klay Thompson as well.”
This is always the silly portion of this process. The team pretends they’re not going to buy out a player and trade him because of the interest in the player. But the interest in the player only exists if they’re bought out. So a team has to pretend they won’t buy him out while no one gives them a trade proposal.
As things stand, Thompson seems set for a buyout. Whether the Lakers have interest from that point does remain in the air. They already have too many players on the roster before signing him and likely wouldn’t guarantee him more like a spot off the bench.
Miami, meanwhile, seems like a place that could offer him a bigger role. It also becomes a question of how much he wants to play in Los Angeles.
Eventually, it seems like all that will be up for debate. But, for now, the Mavericks are going to continue bluffing.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
Jaylen Brown talks relationship with Jayson Tatum, Celtics fallout in intro presser
Just over a month after he was traded from the Celtics to Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown was officially introduced as a member of the 76ers on Thursday afternoon.
“I’m excited to just be myself,” Brown said, sitting at the podium of the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. “I think that’s one thing that I can promise the city and the organization and coaching staff that I’m coming every single day to be myself with my best foot forward. Be with my integrity, my mentality, and be with my capacity and my ability to win. We’ll figure out the X’s and O’s.”
In his introductory press conference, Brown fielded more than 20 minutes of questions from a press corps that included dozens of Philadelphia reporters, as well as a slew of Boston media members who made the trip to Pennsylvania to watch the longtime Celtic and former Finals MVP turn the page in his illustrious career.
Brown touched on his excitement about the prospect of bringing a title to Philadelphia, and spoke candidly about how crazy of a summer it had been, getting traded to a rival franchise that eliminated the Celtics just a few weeks ago.
He fielded questions about his eagerness to mentor rising sophomore VJ Edgecombe, who will be the youngest standout among a talented pool of stars. He spoke candidly about his excitement about the prospect of learning from LeBron James. And he shared how quickly franchise cornerstones Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid reached out to him after the trade.
But, though Brown’s press conference mostly centered around the 76ers — and the organization’s title aspirations — he also reflected a bit on his Boston tenure.
For one, he was asked which part of the trade process he felt was disrespectful, something he previously stated on the Twitch stream.
“The whole process,” he said.
“But to be honest, my mind is so focused on what’s in front of me. To be honest, I’m moving on. Maybe one day, I’ll share the details and how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously, it’s a lot of speculation. I feel no need to chime in on it because I’m focused on what’s important.”
Throughout the press conference, though Brown never mentioned explicitly mentioned the Celtics, he frequently showed appreciation for the decade he spent in Boston.
“I look back at the city of Boston, and I’m grateful,” he said. “I’ve been able to develop as a man, as a human being here.”
“The relationships are still there, so are the connections. I’m very grateful for my ten years in Boston. I have nothing but respect for Boston, but it’s time to move forward.”
Notably, Brown was also asked about his relationship with Jayson Tatum, which has been hotly scrutinized for much of the past decade — and especially over the last weeks, in the aftermath of the trade.
“We won a championship together,” Brown said. “So anybody that you win a championship with, that’s what you know a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail. Obviously, just ups and downs in any type of relationship for sure. But on my end, it’s nothing but respect. Besides for when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based on respect.”
Brown was also asked if he and Tatum have been able to talk since the trade.
“Not really,” he said.
Jaylen Brown extensively spoke about his desire to win in Philly
Sitting in front of a Philadelphia 76ers backdrop for the first time, Brown has made one thing clear: his top priority is to win.
“My focus is winning,” he said. “Obviously, other people’s focus can be scoring. My focus going into every practice, every meeting, every shootaround, every film session is: how do we win night in and night out? So sometimes that may change, sometimes it may look different, but whatever it takes. At no point, at this point in my career, nothing else has really moved me.
“I don’t care about the outside success. I never did, you know what I mean? I don’t care about the MVP awards or finals MVP. None of that stuff really moves me. It’s nice. The only thing that’s gonna move me is doing something collectively — so a championship. So that’s what I’m looking forward to, trying to start that journey and building towards. But all the other stuff that comes along with it is just a distraction.
The new-look 76ers are loaded with talent. Their expected starting lineup includes a four-time Finals MVP in LeBron James, a Finals MVP in Jaylen Brown, a former MVP in Joel Embiid, a two-time All-Star in Tyrese Maxey, and one of last year’s top rookies in VJ Edgecombe.
Brown was asked about that loaded roster and how the leadership dynamics will be worked out.
“To be honest, it doesn’t have to be anybody’s team,” he said. “It just needs to be based in respect and work, and that’s kind of my approach. I want to earn everybody’s respect and trust, which takes time. Obviously, it’s a lot of guys with talent, egos — but to win, you’ve got to be able to sacrifice.”
Though Brown did admit he threw his phone across the room shortly after news of the trade broke, nearly five weeks later, he sounded at peace with how things played out.
“I’m very grateful for my experience, my team here in Boston; 10 years is a perfect cycle, perfect number for completion,” Brown said. “We won a championship, and I have nothing but respect for the city of Boston. But now it’s time to move forward a little bit.”
Andre Jackson Jr. signs deal with Toronto Raptors.
News broke late Tuesday evening that former UConn star and Milwaukee Bucks wing Andre Jackson Jr. signed a deal with the Toronto Raptors ahead of training camp for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Jackson played three seasons in Storrs from 2020-23 and helped lead UConn to its fifth national championship in 2023, where he stuffed the stat sheet in 36 games with 6.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG & 4.7 APG. The Amsterdam, New York, native played 85 games in a Husky uniform before declaring for the draft after the title run.
Following UConn’s championship, Jackson was scooped up by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 36th pick in the second round in the 2023 NBA Draft. He spent the next three seasons in Milwaukee in all types of roles. His best season came his second year in 2024-25, when he played in 67 games with 43 starts and averaged 3.4 PPG and 2.7 RPG. Last season, he only played 8.5 MPG across 48 appearances, collecting many DNPs from head coach Doc Rivers.
Jackson is looking for a fresh start north of the border, but he is going to have to earn it. Toronto has all but one of its roster spots filled out heading into training camp, so he will be fighting for the final roster spot. The contract itself is an Exhibit 10 contract, meaning it’s a one-year, non-guaranteed contract that gives the Raptors his G-League rights should he not make the opening night roster.
UConn had nine players suit up in the NBA last season and is adding Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban to the list, but losing Tyrese Martin after he signed with FC Barcelona overseas. If Jackson plays any minutes in either Toronto or with another team in the NBA this year, UConn would more likely than not have 10 players record minutes in the association in a single season for the first time since the 2000’s.
Kevon Looney has a chip on his shoulder this season, ready to bring championship experience to Lakers
While the Lakers are oozing with talent at the top of the roster in Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, this team has two things it lacks: veterans and championships.
With a push toward youth, LA has just one player who’s over 30 who also happens to have lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy in Kevon Looney.
The former Warriors and Pelicans center signed a one-year deal with the purple and gold, fulfilling his wish of becoming a Laker. In an interview on ESPN LA’s “Mason & Ireland” show, he discussed embracing his role and being ready to bring his experience to this team.
“Just filling that backup center role, being a veteran for this team and bringing some championship experience to the team. Just bring that toughness that I always try to bring every time I play. That’s what my role’s going to be and I look forward to getting out there and showing people what I can do.”
Given that Looney was with Golden State for most of their title run, he witnessed firsthand what it takes to dominate the NBA. Those championship habits are something he can share with a player like Kessler, who has never even played in a playoff game and is now on a team with a goal of winning it all.
If Looney is willing to teach Kessler everything he’s learned during his decade in the league, that might make his signing to the Lakers worth it regardless of his performance on the court. However, Looney believes he still has more to contribute than just words of wisdom.
“I got a chip on my shoulder. I want to just show people what I can do. I want to be one of the best offensive rebounders, one of the best rebounders in the league. I want to be one of the best role players in the league. I want to bring a lot of spark to our bench and a lot of leadership.
My goal every year is always to play every game and be consistent. I had a couple injuries so I wasn’t able to meet that goal last year so I want to get back on the right step and prove myself all over again and show them why I’m an ironman, a tough man and one of the best rebounders in the league.”
Throughout his career, Looney has always been a great offensive rebounder. Even last season, playing in just 21 matchups, he averaged 2.3 offensive boards per game. That level of production would’ve made him the second-best offensive rebounder on the Lakers.
If Looney can remain healthy, he is on track to be a star in his role. He understands what the Lakers need from him and has the skill set to provide it.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
Shocking texts revealed in Paul Pierce’s bitter child support battle with ex
Former NBA champ Paul Pierce and Princess Santiago, an event director in Los Angeles, still are at odds over a custody agreement for their son, King Rafael, whom they welcomed in February, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
Santiago — who previously filed a paternity suit in January, claiming Pierce was the father of her son — provided alleged text messages with the NBA Hall of Famer as part of their ongoing case over custody and support.
“I just wanted to let you know that your son is here. He was born today,” Princess wrote to Pierce on Feb. 6, per TMZ. “If you’d like to see him tomorrow, let me know.”
It does not appear that Santiago received a response from Pierce.
The outlet published an image of another alleged text exchange dated April 13, which showed Paul as saying: “Just found out today officially that’s my son so anyway I can at least see him.”
Santiago responded two days later and said, “Hello and congratulations, Paul. 99.99%. Anyway, you had the opportunity to take the test I paid for either before or after the birth.
“Instead, you chose not to and ignored my entire pregnancy with him; you prioritized love interests, vacations, other people and things over your son with wanting to know the truth.
“I’d appreciate you having a bit more respect for me as his mother and your son from here forward. Ive never kept you from King before or after his birth and I still won’t. I do appreciate that you’re beginning to step forward and finally acknowledge him.”
The message continued but was cut off in the TMZ image.
Santiago, in another alleged message dated April 30, said, “If you want to be a father to him, cool. If not, I’m not going to beg you.”
Santiago is asking the court for sole legal and physical custody of their child, as well as child support payments.
The amount she is seeking for the payments has been redacted.
Santiago, who said she is unable to work because she has to care for her son, claimed Paul refused to turn over all of the relevant financial info to determine how much he had available for support payments.
She alleged Paul has rejected her efforts to co-parent.
Paul filed court docs opposing Santiago’s previous request for $30,000 per month in child support, plus another $100K for legal fees in the case, TMZ reported on July 31.
At the time, Paul, who said he was willing to provide support to Santiago, explained that his income was steadily decreasing and that his checks from his previous gig with Fox Sports 1 were coming to an end in September 2026.
In January, TMZ reported that Santiago filed a paternity suit claiming Pierce is the father of her son, and requesting genetic testing from Pierce.
Pierce and his ex-wife Julie Landrum have three kids together: daughter Prianna and sons Prince and Adrian.
Pierce played 15 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Celtics and won a championship and Finals MVP with Boston in 2008.
The Celtics retired his No. 34 jersey in February 2018, after her retired the year before.
Dillon Mitchell signs two-way deal with Boston Celtics, dashing hopes of St. John’s men’s basketball return
The dream that star St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell would turn down an NBA contract and return to the Red Storm for his fifth season of college basketball was only that: a dream.
The Boston Celtics shut the door on rumors that Mitchell would come back to college and use his extra year of eligibility granted by a Colorado federal judge, announcing that it has signed its 40th overall selection in the 2026 NBA draft to a two-way contract, voiding the former Red Storm standout’s remaining amateur eligibility. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Mitchell becomes the second former St. John’s star selected in this year’s NBA draft to sign a professional contract. Zuby Ejiofor inked a four-year rookie-scale contract worth $17.3 million with the Atlanta Hawks not long after he was drafted with the 23rd overall pick. Bryce Hopkins has yet to sign a contract with the Denver Nuggets after getting drafted with the 49th overall pick, but wouldn’t have been eligible to return to college anyway after his five-year eligibility clock expired.
The Celtics rookie stood out amongst his peers during the NBA Summer League, averaging 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and even tripling his senior year three-point output, firing 3-of-8 from long range across three games.
Mitchell can earn only $678,882 on a two-way contract, half the value of a guaranteed rookie minimum deal, and is limited to playing up to 50 NBA games. This means Mitchell is most likely splitting time with the Boston Celtics and developing with their G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.
In his only season with the Red Storm, the former McDonald’s All-American posted 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 55.9% shooting from the field, securing positions on the All-Big East Third Team and Big East All-Defensive Team.
As Mitchell is now off the board and St. John’s still has one remaining roster spot to fill, the Red Storm will focus on finding a starting-caliber replacement for stellar Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman at power forward.
The Red Storm are reportedly one of the many teams eyeing All-SEC forward Keyshawn Hall, one of the many seniors returning to college basketball for a fifth season. The well-traveled 6-foot-7 swingman never spent more than one season playing for a single team, hopping between UNLV, George Mason, UCF, and Auburn. Hall led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding last season, averaging 19.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest on 45.1% from the field, 37.9% from three, and 85.7% from the free-throw line.