5 wings Lakers could target this offseason

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Lakers head coach JJ Redick said something very simple, but profound during his exit interview.

“Luke [Kennard] is a great example. He’s a guy that can dribble, pass, and shoot,” Redick said. “I think because of injuries, there were times that we didn’t have enough of that. We’ve got to be better being able to dribble, pass and shoot.”

Now that the offseason is here, the Lakers can address these detriments with an injection of new talent. One position in particular that needs players who can dribble, pass and shoot at the highest level is the wings.

Since every team in the NBA desires this as well, wings are in high demand and hard to find, even when roster spots and money are available. Still, the Lakers have a bit of both open, so they need to find some new wings to become a true Western Conference contender.

Here’s a look at five wings the Lakers could target this summer, either in free agency or via trade.

Herb Jones

The Lakers have been connected to Jones for quite some time, but the Pelicans haven’t been interested in making a deal. Reportedly, New Orleans wants a ton of draft capital, which has made a trade tough to execute.

Now, the Lakers currently have three first round picks they can offer, and perhaps the market has changed, making Jones a tradeable player.

His value is clear. Jones is a great defender, and while his scoring dipped to just 8.9 points per game this season, he has been a double-digit scorer over the last two years.

Considering all the open space he’ll have to operate under with Luka Dončić on the ball, he’d likely have an offensive uptick playing with the Lakers. Still just 27 years old, Jones still has room to grow, and LA would be a great place for that to happen.

Trey Murphy III

While the Pelicans didn’t win many games, they have another quality player that teams like the Lakers want in Murphy. LA has had ties to Murphy since before he was an NBA player, having him come in for a pre-draft workout back in 2021 when he stated he wanted to be an All-Star.

He hasn’t quite reached that level, but this year he averaged a career-high 21.5 points per game. Murphy is also a career 38.2% 3-point shooter, making him an ideal wing for the Lakers. Similar to Jones, Murphy is under contract through the 2028-29 season, making $27 million-plus each year, and the team has a club option for the following season. So, a trade is the only way the Lakers can acquire him, but that’s a great option to go with if the Pelicans are serious about making a deal.

Peyton Watson

Watson is a restricted free agent, but considering that the Nuggets flamed out of the playoffs and could be in the second apron with a hefty luxury tax bill if they don’t shed salary, so it’s very possible Denver will have to move on from him.

This past season, Watson scored 14.1 points per game and shot 41.1% from beyond the arc. That level of shooting is hard to find, and if the Lakers are smart, they’ll aggressively pursue him.

Luguentz Dort

Okay, some Lakers fans will detest the idea of Dort, mainly because he is a tough defender with a reputation for being dirty.

However, he is exactly the kind of player you hate to play, but love to have. He is a defensive irritant and while his offensive numbers are modest, averaging just 8.3 points per game this season, Dort has had seasons where he’s been a sniper from deep.

If he can get back to being a 40% shooter from 3-point range like he was back in 2024-25 when the Thunder won it all, then he can have a bounce-back year with the Lakers, similar to what Marcus Smart had with LA this season.

OKC has a team option for Dort, but their cap situation is looking pretty tough. So, perhaps they’ll have to let him go to avoid some restrictions, making this their loss and LA’s gain.

Khris Middleton

Middleton isn’t the most alluring option, but he’s a good option for the Lakers. He is an unrestricted free agent, and with the Mavericks rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, his staying in Dallas doesn’t make much sense.

Middleton has been on a steady decline and barely cracked 10 points per game this season. Still, he’s a great vet and an elite 3-point shooter who made 39% of his shots from beyond the arc.

He won’t be the top priority, but Middleton in LA would certainly give the franchise some additional wing depth.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Golden State NBA mock drafts show wealth of options for Warriors

The 2026 NBA Draft is creeping up.

Teams are welcoming draft prospects to their facilities for individual and group workouts as they scout for a player to add to their roster. For the Golden State Warriors in particular, they could use a player who can come into the league ready to fit in to whatever role is handed to them.

Best player available is the best method to go for Golden State, but they need a versatile swingman, someone who can play multiple positions from forward, and even guard. Ultimately, the player needs to be able to defend at a high level, but also compliment veteran stars such as Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler on the offensive end as well.

They also need more bigs, specifically a center.

Questions loom around which players will be back next year and who will be packaged in a major deal. One of those players are Kristaps Porzingis, who they acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Jonathan Kuminga. Porzingis is an unrestricted free agent. And so is Al Horford (player option), who is also 40-years-old.

With that, it's obvious the Warriors will be buyers during the free agency period. Their draftee will be someone who understands they will bring value by doing the little things that make a lasting impact on the game. It's likely someone who's not a big name right now, but could be one day.

In USA TODAY's latest NBA mock draft 15.0, Bryan Kalbrosky has the Warriors selecting Karim López, a 19-year-old from Mexico, to fill that role. López would be the ideal fit for the Warriors given his 6-foot-8 frame. He has the prototypical size to be a Swiss Army knife for Golden State.

"Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and 38-inch max vertical," Kalbrosky wrote.

Here's who sports experts predict the Golden State Warriors will draft with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft:

USA TODAY Sports: Karim López

  • TEAM: International
  • POSITION: Forward
  • BORN: Mexico
  • HEIGHT: 6-8
  • WINGSPAN: 7-0 (+3)
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

"Karim López had a low usage rate and played fewer minutes than other players in this range while playing against pros, but was still very productive for the NBL Next Stars program in Australia. The Mexican-born forward is physically gifted, athletic, and universally seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Despite his age, he played a huge role for his team defensively for a team that won the NBL Ignite Cup. López measured well, weighing just shy of 222 pounds and 38-inch max vertical."  – Bryan Kalbrosky, USA TODAY

Yahoo Sports: Aday Mara

  • TEAM: Michigan 
  • POSITION: Center
  • BORN: Spain
  • HEIGHT: 7-3
  • DRAFT AGE: 21

"The Warriors need a true center. There is no better option in this range than Mara, who stepped on UCLA's campus as a lottery-projected center from Spain. Then he fell off draft boards during two forgettable seasons there before transferring to Michigan and becoming one of the best true 5s in the country on his way to winning the national championship. He reads the floor like a guard, finishes with both hands, and swats shots with elite timing. The complication is he doesn't shoot from outside, makes below 60% of his free throws, and opponents are going to attack him on the perimeter." – Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports

ESPN: Brayden Burries

  • TEAM: Arizona
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: California
  • HEIGHT: 6-4
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

"Steve Kerr's decision to return to the Warriors is a fair indicator that Golden State doesn't plan to rebuild in the near future, but this pick gives it a chance to get younger and deeper. Long-term injuries to Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody mean the Warriors will be extremely light on the perimeter to open next season, which could be a consideration here. GM Mike Dunleavy also told reporters this week that Golden State would consider moving around in the draft.

"Burries is drawing looks inside the top 10 but could also end up being the guard who falls. He would be a solid fit for the Warriors in this scenario. His dimensions will play up better on the ball than at the two, but his sturdy build should also help him defend wings. The fact he's a year older than some of the other freshmen and somewhat caught between positions based on tools makes him more of a back-half lottery option." – Jeremy Woo, ESPN

CBS Sports: Brayden Burries

  • TEAM: Arizona
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: California
  • HEIGHT: 6-4
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

"While it might be tempting for Golden State to maximize its fading competitive window with Stephen Curry by taking an older player like Yaxel Lendeborg, that would be short-sighted. Burries is a top-10 caliber talent whose effective field goal percentage of 57.2% surpassed that of every other guard ahead of him in this mock." – David Cobb, CBS Sports

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors NBA mock drafts: Expert picks and needs for Golden State

NBA bans juvenile fan for life after he rushes court to get selfie with Victor Wembanyama

A hoodie-wearing fan stands on court in front of Victor Wembanyama holding his phone in front of both of them
A fan holds his phone in front of Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after running onto the court during Game One of the NBA Finals on Wednesday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. (Ronald Cortes / Getty Images)

Two fans have been banned for life from NBA arenas after one of them ran onto the court in an apparent attempt to film himself with San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama during Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night.

As the Spurs were taking the ball downcourt midway through the fourth quarter, a fan dashed onto the floor to where Wembanyama and New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson were playing away from the ball near the three-point line.

The fan held his phone out as he stood in front of Wembanyama and was almost immediately placed in a bear hug by a member of Frost Bank Arena security, then dragged away by that guard and one other.

Read more:Victor Wembanyama rookie card sells for $5.11 million, a record for a non-autographed NBA card

“The juvenile committed the offense of Disrupting Meeting or Procession (Texas Penal Code §42.05) by intentionally disrupting a lawful gathering, namely, the Spurs basketball game, through physical interference,” the Bexar sheriff’s office said in a statement emailed to The Times.

“Additionally, the juvenile committed the offense of Criminal Trespass (Texas Penal Code §30.05) by entering property, specifically the basketball court, without the effective consent of the owner, despite having notice that entry onto the court was prohibited. ...

“The juvenile was subsequently arrested for the above-listed charges.”

Read more:A new board game mocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for 'foul baiting.' He wants it destroyed

The NBA said in a statement that the second fan was banned “for his role in the incident” but did not provide details.

A video that appears to have been taken on the first fan’s phone as the incident unfolded has been uploaded to social media. In it, the fan appears to film himself running onto the court and trying to stop in front of Wembanyama to get him in the shot.

The 7-foot-4 superstar is cut off at the neck in the footage.

Read more:NBA probe of Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard and Clippers at forefront after Aspiration fraud sentencing

Throughout the incident, the fan yells, “Wemby!” as well as what is thought to be the name of a meme coin.

As it all went down, Wembanyama looks somewhat amused; Robinson does not.

“I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said after the Spurs’ 105-95 loss. “I didn’t know how to act.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The memory of Karl-Anthony Towns' late mother gives Knicks' star peace in NBA Finals debut

In arguably the biggest game of his NBA career, Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns wasn't scared or overwhelmed. Instead, when Towns stepped onto the court on Wednesday night in his first-ever NBA Finals game, he felt an odd sense of peace.

"I don't know what it was," he told the Inside the NBA crew after a 105-95 Game 1 win over the Spurs, "but I just felt a calm and a peace that I know had to come from the woman above. So I felt really confident about today."

The woman he's referencing is his late mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, who died in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 58. Towns had an incredibly close relationship with his mother, something he detailed in an 18-minute YouTube video called “THE TOUGHEST YEAR OF MY LIFE,” where he discussed the emotional toll of having to make the decision to pull the plug on his mother and say goodbye.

Towns was just 24 years old at the time and mentioned the struggle he went through to process and accept his loss. "I think that one day, and I know it's creeping up, I feel it every day, it's gonna creep up, and I'm going to have to find a way to deal with it," he told ESPN in an interview back in November of 2020."That's why I wanted to do this [interview]. I thought this would be therapeutic for me to admit that these things are real, and how I feel is real, and being able to try to find some normalcy."

Yet, over the years, Towns' ability to face his pain head-on led him to a place of strength. In 2024, just days before he was traded to the Knicks,Towns appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast “Club Shay Shay”and discussed the impact of his mom's death on the man he had become: "I'll be a stronger version than I was at that moment. You get stronger. I know time heals all wounds; time can also just make scar tissue. I just kind of have a scar there, but I became stronger because of that scar."

It was a strength he had to call on numerous times this season.

In late December and early January, the Knicks went through a 2-9 skid that saw them lose to a few non-playoff teams, including the tanking Mavericks and Kings teams. Despite the Knicks still being seven games over .500 at the time, there was a feeling that this team was not close to living up to expectations, and frustrations with Towns were front and center. Even by the middle of February, Towns was averaging 19.8 points per game and 34.9% shooting from three-point range, which would have been his lowest marks since his rookie season. He was also shooting just 46.7 percent overall from the field, which would have been the worst of his career.

Yet, despite those struggles, the Knicks are still standing and are just three wins away from an NBA title. A big reason for that is the way in which Towns embraced a selfless style of basketball.He put more emphasis on his passing and rebounding and refocused his energy on the big picture needs of the team. He dug in on the defensive side of the floor, which we saw on full display in Game 1 when he guarded Spurs' 7'5" center Victor Wembanyama better than anybody could have anticipated. He also tied Wembanyama with 12 rebounds, while also being second on the Knicks with four assists. He blew by Wembanyama on the dribble multiple times and led all players with four offensive rebounds, helping him to finish second on the Knicks with 18 points.

That desire to help his team in any way possible is something he reiterated in Thursday's press sessions.

Much of that selflessness and resiliency can be tied back to the lessons he learned from his mother.

"I know that you know my lessons were over, teaching me the game of life," he told Sharpe in that 2024 interview. "She had taught me everything she needed to teach me, so I'm just taking those teachings and giving it to the next generation... I'm willing to show my courage and show my strength by allowing myself to possibly be hurt by showing love to others, and I think that's a tremendous lesson she taught me, to not stop ever showing love just because I've been hurt once or twice."

Those lessons taught Towns to push through adversity on the court as well.

At one point, the Knicks trailed the Spurs by 14 points in the third quarter. Before last night's game, NBA teams were 4-87 in the NBA Finals since 1996-97 when trailing by 14 or more points in the second half of the game. Yet, the Knicks were able to overcome the deficit. Just as they were able to overcome a 22-point second-half deficit in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers. After the game, Towns compared the resiliency he and his teammates have shown to the grit of New York City, saying that the team can "feel that energy in the city, the grit, the grind, the hard work you gotta put in to make it in the city. I think we reflect all our fans and, and, and their lifestyles and what it takes to make it in New York City, when we step on that court with the Knicks jersey."

But it's also a reflection of his mother and her lessons.

"It means a lot. It means a lot for my mother. When she emigrated from [the Dominican Republic] to New York, she saw Madison Square Garden for the first time and saw the energy the city has for Madison Square Garden and the Knicks...To be able to have this moment in Knicks history where we're back here, where New York has been hungry to be back in this Finals, it means a lot. It means a lot to me, my loved ones, to be part of the Knicks history that's doing this."

"In a way, I felt like I was seeing her in the stands," he said after the game. "It was really fun, and it was really comforting, because you know, game one of the NBA finals, you're told what the pressure is going to be. It felt like a certain presence was here that was very comforting and very loving, and I felt like I could have fun out here in game one of the NBA finals, which is the weirdest thing, because you would expect to have the pressure at the highest."

Yet, Towns seemed to feel no pressure on Wednesday. When the Spurs opened up a 14-point lead with 6:31 to go in the third quarter, Towns found Mikail Bridges for an 11-foot jumpshot. After a Josh Hart free throw, the Spurs went right down and scored, but then Towns quickly found Landry Shamet for a layup. After a Spurs miss, Towns completed an and-one to get the Knicks within eight points. On the ensuing defensive possession, Towns blocked a layup by Julian Champagnie, and then Jalen Brunson scored on the other end to cut the lead to six. A few possessions later, with the Knicks down by five, Towns grabbed an offensive rebound and nailed the putback to cut the lead to three, and when the Spurs went right back and scored, Towns answered with another and-one to bring the Knicks to within two points.

Just like that, the Knicks had clawed back from the brink again, and Towns was at the center of it. Instead of being undone by the pressure of the moment, he was buoyed by the overwhelming joy of being in a moment he had always dreamed about.

"I felt like a kid. It was just fun out here," he told the Inside the NBA crew. "This is something that, as a kid, you always dream about. You just hope to be an NBA player, let alone to be in the NBA finals. All day was just a weird feeling. It felt like I was a kid getting ready to go play my Saturday AAU games and Sunday AAU games."

That child-like sense of peace allowed Towns to block out all the other distractions and rise to the occasion in arguably the biggest game of his career. Much like he has over the last few weeks, he simplified the task in front of him, made the most of the opportunities he was presented with, and trusted the people closest to him to help get the job done together.

"You never know what life has for you. You never know if you'll get another opportunity. But just appreciating it and being grateful that you do get this opportunity is everything. My life has taught me a lot of different things, but one of the biggest things it's always taught me is about the word grateful and just being grateful for all the good, all the bad that happens, and understanding that every single moment is a chance to grow."

There's still more work to be done, but, for now, Towns and the Knicks are taking advantage of the chance they're being given right now.

Sacramento Kings NBA mock drafts promise franchise-saving guard

The 2026 NBA Draft is less than three weeks away, as NBA teams have hosted pre-draft workouts for this year's draft prospects.

The Sacramento Kings missed out on a top-5 pick but still landed the No. 7 pick after ending the 2025-26 season with a 22-60 record, tied for worst in the Western Conference.

Sacramento has a number of questions that need to be answered going into the draft, but none bigger than what they will do to address their point guard situation. The Kings need a player, specifically a point guard, who has the caliber to change a franchise.

The team has been searching for someone who can fill those shoes since they shipped their franchise player, De'Aaron Fox, in a three-team trade to the San Antonio Spurs in Feb. 2025. They received in return Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks (2025 from Charlotte, 2027 from San Antonio, 2031 from Minnesota), and three second-round picks.

Last season, they finished with Russell Westbrook, who is 37 years old, as their starting point guard. The future Hall of Famer was a productive contributor on the floor and showed up as one of the team's vocal leaders.

However, he was on a one-year deal, and he'll be 38 next season. Kings should prioritize bringing Westbrook back and adding a guard who can learn under his tutelage.

In USA TODAY's latest NBA mock draft 15.0, Bryan Kalbrosky has Sacramento going after Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. as the perfect guy to take the throne for the Kings.

Kalbrosky wrote: "The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory. It's also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college."

Here's who sports experts predict the Sacramento Kings will draft with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft:

USA TODAY Sports: Darius Acuff Jr.

  • TEAM: Arkansas
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Michigan
  • HEIGHT: 6-3
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

The Kings need a potential star and according to Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor, folks around the league "widely believe" they are targeting Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. right now. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. The speedy guard led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory. It's also worth noting Kings executive Scott Perry coached Acuff's father in college. – Bryan Kalbrosky, USA TODAY

ESPN: Kingston Flemings

  • TEAM: Houston
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Virginia
  • HEIGHT: 6-4
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

"The Kings drew a short straw on lottery night but will have an opportunity to address their need for a point guard at this spot, with Acuff frequently tied to them, and Flemings and Mikel Brown Jr. also potentially still on the board. In what order Sacramento prioritizes those players -- and whether they value Acuff enough to consider moving up to get him -- remains to be seen, but it was a point of speculation from other teams at the combine.

"Flemings measured smaller than his listed 6-4, at 6-2½ barefoot with just a plus-1 wingspan, but he unsurprisingly tested quite well athletically. Though the size factor might not help him as lottery teams split hairs among the guards, the feedback was positive on his interview process, reaffirming the intangibles that helped make him successful at Houston." – Jeremy Woo, ESPN

Yahoo Sports: Darius Acuff Jr.

  • TEAM: Arkansas
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Michigan
  • HEIGHT: 6-3
  • DRAFT AGE: 19

"Weeks ago I reported the Kings are widely believed to be targeting Acuff with this pick. That reporting has since been supported by others in the industry, and that belief remains unchanged around the league. That said, the Kings are still working out other players and nothing is locked in. Just consider Acuff the favorite here. Acuff is not the biggest guard or the most explosive athlete, but he reads defenses like someone who's been in the league for a decade. He emerged as a freshman as a skilled, low-turnover playmaker. And that's not even what he's best at. Acuff is a wiry scorer who can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor with a quick trigger, slippery handle, and a feel for manipulating defenses. He has a knack for clutch moments too. The question that follows every undersized guard into the draft is whether the brilliance survives contact with bigger, longer, faster defenders." – Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports

CBS Sports:Mikel Brown Jr.

  • TEAM: Louisville
  • POSITION: Guard
  • BORN: Florida
  • HEIGHT: 6-4
  • DRAFT AGE: 20

"Brown is a lead guard with unlimited range and zero conscience as a 3-point shooter. A nagging back injury during his freshman season at Louisville underscored concerns about the durability of his slender frame. But his combination of shot-making, athleticism and floor vision makes him a potential All-Star." – David Cobb, CBS Sports

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kings NBA mock drafts: Can Darius Acuff Jr. save Sacramento?

Fans given life bans for Wembanyama selfie as NBA looks at Brunson incident

Security escort a man off court after he attempted to take a selfie with Victor WembanyamaPhotograph: Adam Davis/EPA

The NBA has banned two fans for life after an incident in which a man ran on to the court to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama during Game 1 of the finals.

In a separate case, ESPN reports that the league is investigating an incident during Wednesday night’s game when New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson became upset after an interaction with fans during the fourth quarter of his team’s 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Related: NBA finals: in a mud wrestle shaped by 53 years of dread, Jalen Brunson was the difference

In the first incident, a fan ran on the court holding his phone above his head during the fourth quarter. He approached Wembanyama and appeared to attempt a selfie with the Spurs star, who smiled briefly as security closed in and escorted the fan out of the arena.

“The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas. A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban for his role in the incident,” the NBA said in a statement on Thursday.

Wembanyama said he was bemused rather than shaken by the incident. “I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t know how to act. It really surprised me, almost as much as that time [when] a bat crossed the court.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the incident wasn’t a factor in San Antonio struggling to down the stretch as the Knicks ended on an 11-0 scoring run.

In the Brunson incident, the Knicks guard appeared to become upset with a group of fans courtside in the final minute of the game. He spoke to crew chief Scott Foster and then talked to him again after the end of the game. Brunson has received criticism this season from some fans who have accused him of “flopping” to win fouls. Brunson finished the game with 30 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter.

Game 2 of the finals takes place on Friday night in San Antonio before the series moves to New York for Monday’s Game 3.

Knicks ready for 'desperate' Spurs in Game 2 of NBA Finals

The Knicks stormed back from a 14-point deficit in Game 1 of the NBA Finals to take down the Spurs, 105-95, on Wednesday night in San Antonio, drawing first blood in the series with Game 2 set for Friday night.

And with the Spurs facing the possibility of arriving at a raucous Madison Square Garden in a 2-0 series hole for Monday's Game 3, the Knicks know what to expect from San Antonio in Game 2. 

"A desperate team," Mitchell Robinsontold reporters on Thursday when asked what the Knicks are preparing for. 

With the benefit of having eight days off after sweeping the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks looked fresh in Game 1, although they were a bit rusty in the first half -- and struggled for the whole game when it came to shooting from behind the arc.

The Spurs, who prevailed over the Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, had only three days off to prepare. And while their energy level was high, superstar Victor Wembanyama seemed a bit winded down the stretch as New York pulled away.

One big reason for the Knicks' comeback wasJosh Hart, who was one of the most important players on the floor despite scoring only three points.

Hart, whose motor never stops, had 15 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and zero turnovers -- stuffing the stat sheet despite missing a big chunk of the first half because he was in foul trouble.

"His energy is just relentless," Jalen Brunson said about Hart. "It doesn't stop. I mean, he eats candy all the time. That tells you who he is -- he's a big kid with an absurd amount of energy."

As they came away with the win in Game 1, the Knicks' defense tightened up late, giving the Spurs fits.

That included big performances from Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, and is something New York will have to continue as the series goes forward.

"I think we just tried to be physical and be aggressive defensively," Anunoby said. "We try to make anyone we're playing uncomfortable. We don't want people to be comfortable. Taking up space when you can, always make sure to get a contest, and just fly around -- communicate on defense."

Top ten overreactions to Game 1 of the NBA Finals

Jun 3, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) attempts to steal the ball from New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) in the second half during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Welcome to a limited series called “Overreactions: Where answers become questions, questions become more questions, and you question your own sanity so much that you slowly convince yourself that Malik Rose could have been an All-NBA point guard if Gregg Popovich had a little bit of imagination.”

It’s a safe place for anxious fans to overreact to every loss, win, tie, and moral victory after every single game in these NBA Finals. And because there are no ties in the NBA, we should add that item to another longstanding list of grievances from NBA fans for Adam Silver. That list includes putting up a statue of Manu Ginóbili plucking a bat out of midair during an actual NBA game and putting that statue out in front of the NBA office in New York, New York.

Today we discuss Game One. It’s time to panic.

10. Jalen Brunson is unstoppable. Kelly Oubre said the hardest part about guarding the Knicks star guard is that big ol’ head. The Spurs could bring out a replica of Rick Moranis’s big (expletive) helmet when he played Dark Helmet in Spaceballs, chase Brunson around the court and try to corral him in it to prevent him from putting 30 points up again, but it’d be no use. The Villanova Knicks will find a way.

9. Karl Anthony-Towns is the only good thing about The Devil Wears Prada 2. Have I seen the second movie? No. Do I love the first movie because I love anything with Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Stanley Tucci? Of course. Will I pay $90 for a babysitter, $40 for two tickets to go see the sequel in a movie theater that smells like the mops are soaked in melted butter to clean the floors or wait until it comes out on streaming where I could just use my wife’s aunt’s mother’s streaming service login? The latter. What does that have to do with KAT’s stellar line of 18 points, 12 rebounds in 34 minutes of bruising play down in the paint? I don’t know. Why is Stanley Tucci so (expletive)ing charming? We just don’t know.

8. De’Aaron Fox will never make another shot in the fourth quarter again. Ever. Ever never ever again. The former (and inaugural) NBA clutch player of the year for 2022-23 season will be forced to return that award just based alone on the cries of angry fans’ reactions all over Spurs Twitter. That’s the only criteria, and frankly the only one we as a society should use to evaluate anything from Fox’s fourth quarter metrics to why penguins cannot fly—because angry people on social media demanded it so. Maybe if penguins paid a monthly subscription to have a blue check mark next to their names, they’d be able to fly off that huge island of ice and hang out in warmer climates like the Kohl’s parking lot in Irving, Texas that has no trees for shade in the heat of summer.

7. The Spurs are going to keep shooting 25% from three as a team. I mean take away Julian Champagnie’s 5-10 shooting from downtown and the team percentage falls all the way down to 18%. Do you know what is the only thing that is higher than 18%? Every single credit card interest rate. So worry not, if the Spurs’ insanely low (almost outlier-ish from a statistical standpoint) three-point percentage doesn’t keep you up at night, those CC APRs should.

6. The nuns are out. They brought us so much luck, charm, lucky charms, and distractions through the Western Conference Finals, and we owe so much to their faith in serving others, selflessness, and humble vibes. But now? After Game One? It’s time to panic and bring in Alex Caruso lookalikes dressed as chupacabras. Nothing says panic like making unholy alliances with chupacabras. Doing all of this nonsensical, downright delusional non-basketball bits won’t guarantee a win in Game 2. No, we just want to let the panic wash over us like a terrifying flashback of every made three pointer that left Alex Caruso’s magical hands in that last series.

5. Blame the corgi. Yeah, the corgi is cute. Like too cute in fact. And it briefly united the world against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champs, because no one’s going to test the magical clairvoyance of a freakin’ corgi. But fame is a fickle mistress. And no one has more mistresses in the dog world than corgis. You know that meme where the dude is looking at another woman while holding hands with his current significant other? That meme was created by dalmatians as a warning to humans that corgis are coming after humans’ loved ones next. Behind those cute little round eyes is the charm of a certified psychopath. What does that have to do with the Spurs shooting less than 25% from three as team in Game One? Nothing. I just need to blame someone, even a cute, little corgi.

4. Mitchell Robinson broke his pinky at home on purpose. Hear me out. But maybe Victor Wembanyama’s least favorite finger is the pinky. Maybe his least favorite genetically enhanced laboratory mice who try to take over the world are Pinky and the Brain. Insert Charlie Kelly conspiracy meme from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia here. Just maybe, these things were enough of a phobia to distract Wembanyama from taking more shots down low. It’s time to panic, people, so we cannot leave any stone unturned or unblamed.

3. The Knicks are never going to lose another playoff game. Ever. Ever never ever again. This 12-game playoff winning streak will extend into next season and into playoff seasons for the next 10 years. During that time, they will make four more sequels to The Devil Wears Prada, and us NBA fans will be begging Adam Silver to quit rigging the playoffs in favor of the Knicks just so Anne Hathaway can continue to share cameos with KAT. I’m not trying to jinx their streak. I’m legit panicking. Didn’t you read the sixth sentence up there? It’s time to panic and overreact to every little thing. What is a Knickerbocker? Does it translate to “Bane of Spurs’ existence”? Don’t bother googling what a Knickerbocker is AIing it or whatever you kids use AI for today. And don’t bother explaining it to me. I want the smell of panic to linger over us because we’re definitely not going to act like we’ve been here before (6 times). Yes, I remember 1999. But we Spurs fans want to panic. We need to panic.

2. Speaking of panicking over every little thing. Who gave their Spurs court-side tickets to Ben Stiller? I know he’s a Knicks “superfan,” but have you seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty? It’s a really good movie that was vastly underrated when it came out. I know those big market teams like parading their celebrities around like a proud parent who just saw their kids play little dribblers with no enforced rules for dribbling! Rules are rules, and I just don’t like seeing dual threat actor/director Ben Stiller seeing his favorite team win against our favorite team. If TSLoWM comes on cable, sure, I’ll stop what I’m doing and watch it again because I love that movie, and yes I still have cable. But I don’t have to like it, even if I do like it.

1.It’s time to give up. There’s a scene in Airplanes II: The Sequel where Buck Murdock (played by William Shatner playing Captain James T. Kirk playing Buck Murdock. It’s Kirk Lazarus’s “I’m the dude playing the dude pretending to be another dude” before Kirk Lazarus or reborn Robert Downey Jr. ever existed) gives up trying to help William Striker land the plane because the latter couldn’t find a piece of metal to shove into the control panel. The scene reads as incredulous as Shatner’s acting style. At the first sign of difficulty, he (Buck Murdock) completely gives up and tells everyone to shut it down. He even tells them to go home as he’s packing up his own suitcase while still on the line with Striker (even if the control tower they are all working in is on the moon where the plane piloted by William Striker is about to crash into).

That’s my overreaction. Let’s just give up. What’s a man doing with a bobby pin? 1982 humor. Gotta love it.

Knicks vs. Spurs – Game 2, NBA Finals predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for June 5

Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals is Friday night. Game 1 went to the visiting Knicks, 105-95, on Wednesday night.

The Spurs were in control well into the third quarter leading 67-54 with 5:58 left in the quarter but the Knicks figured things out, flipped the script, and throttled the Spurs from that point forward closing out Game 2 on a 51-28 run over the game’s final 18 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns battled all night and finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, but it was one of the league’s top closers, Jalen Brunson, who finished things last night scoring 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points and pulled down 12 boards and Julian Champagnie was 5-10 from beyond the arc in the loss for the Spurs.

A couple of key stats to take away from Game 1: assists and turnovers. The Knicks won both categories picking up 20 assists while turning it over eight times. The Spurs turned it over 13 times while totaling 16 assists. Wembanyama had six of the 13 turnovers. New York’s bench outscored the reserves from San Antonio, 28-20. Landry Shamet had 13 off that Knicks’ bench. Dylan Harper came off the Spurs’ bench to pour in 16 of those 20 points for the Spurs.

Looking ahead to Game 2, the Spurs will need to take better care of the ball and get the ball to Wembanyama in more dangerous positions as opposed to well behind the three-point line. Expect more offensive sets designed to free him for high-post touches and pick-and-pop opportunities, as well as a greater emphasis on pace to avoid the Knicks’ half-court defensive schemes. The Knicks will look to find ways to pull Wembanyama away from the rim as they did religiously during their push in the second half. Bothered early in the game by the Spurs’ guards, Brunson got what he wanted whether it be a three-pointer or a drive to the rim with Wembanyama not in the lane to affect his shot.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game Details and How to Watch Game 2 Live: Knicks vs. Spurs

  • Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: Frost Bank Center
  • City: San Antonio, TX
  • Network/Streaming: ABC

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

NBA Finals Game 2 Odds: Knicks vs. Spurs

The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: New York Knicks (+185), San Antonio Spurs (-225)
  • Spread: Spurs -5.5
  • Total: 214.5 points

This game sits right where it opened with the Spurs favored by 5.5 and the Game Total set at 214.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule! 

Expected Starting Lineups for NBA Finals Game 2: Knicks vs. Spurs

New York Knicks

  • PG Jalen Brunson (30 points, 2 assists in Game 1)
  • SG Mikal Bridges (9 points, 3 assists in Game 1)
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns (18 points, 12 rebounds in Game 1)
  • SF Josh Hart (3 points, 15 rebounds in Game 1)
  • PF OG Anunoby (17 points, 3-6 from 3-point range in Game 1)

San Antonio Spurs

  • PG De’Aaron Fox (7 points, 3-13 from the field in Game 1)
  • SG Stephon Castle (17 points, 8 rebounds in Game 1)
  • SF Devin Vassell (9 points, 1-6 from 3-point range in Game 1)
  • PF Julian Champagnie (16 points, 10 rebounds in Game 1)
  • C Victor Wembanyama (26 points, 12 rebounds, 6 turnovers in Game 1)

Injury Report: Knicks vs. Spurs

New York Knicks

  • No injuries to report

San Antonio Spurs

  • David Jones Garcia (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game

Important stats, trends and insights: Knicks vs. Spurs – Game 2

  • The Knicks are 37-11 on the road this season
  • The Spurs are 35-16 at home this season
  • The Spurs are 57-43-2 ATS this season
  • The Knicks are 55-42-1 ATS this season
  • The OVER has cashed in 46 of the Knicks’ 98 games this season (46-52)
  • The OVER has cashed in 47 of the Spurs’ 102 games this season (47-55)
  • Jose Alvarado scored 7 points off the bench for the Knicks in 11 minutes of Game 1
  • OG Anunoby scored 17 points in Game 1 making 5 of 12 shots from the field
  • Julian Champagnie made 5, three-pointers in the first half in Game 1 but was held off the board from beyond the arc in the second half
  • Luke Kornet did not score and pulled down just one rebound in 10 minutes of playing time in Game 1

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
 
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s Game 2 between the Knicks and the Spurs:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Spurs on the Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Spread
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 214.5

Player Props:

  • Dylan Harper 13+ Points (-112) – cashed in 2 of the last 3 games (scored 12 in the game where he fell short)
  • Karl-Anthony Towns 4+ Assists (-133) – cashed in Game 1 of the Finals, twice in the East Final, and in all 4 games in the Second Round

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Victor Wembanyama Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Knicks vs Spurs Game 2 on June 5

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Victor Wembanyama looked tired. And understandably so. Game 2 will mark his ninth game in 19 days.

That is a more frenetic pace than is often realized, and this is Wembanyama’s first playoff run, as it is for nearly all of this young San Antonio Spurs’ roster.

But desperation can overcome fatigue. These Victor Wembanyama picks expect a balance of the two for both Wemby and the Spurs in Game 2 against the New York Knicks on Friday, June 5.

Victor Wembanyama prop pick for Game 2

Victor Wembanyama best bet: Over 3.5 assists (+120 at bet365)

Maybe the New York Knicks’ defense is truly this good. Maybe it has found some secret this postseason that no team has ever before enjoyed. Maybe.

In the last 12 games, New York has held opponents to 28.8% from deep while forcing those foes to pull up from long range on 46.5% of their shots.

Suffice it to say, the Knicks' defense deserves a bounty of credit, but at some point, an opponent will hit more shots.

There is only one opponent left. The San Antonio Spurs went a gruesome 11-of-43 (25.6%) from deep on Wednesday. Remove Julian Champagnie’s 5-of-10 and the rest of the Spurs hit 18.2% of their heaves from beyond the arc.

Logically, role players like Devin Vassell (1-of-6) and Dylan Harper (1-of-4) should shoot better in Game 2, again at home.

And them shooting better should allow Victor Wembanyama to preserve a touch of energy on the offensive end of the court, playmaking more than driving.

Victor Wembanyama same-game parlay

Wembanyama should also shoot better, though his 2-of-9 from deep in Game 1 would have cashed much of this same-game parlay, regardless. His shot looks tired right now, but he needs to keep chucking from deep.

Frankly, getting to the line 13 times was a means of scoring, but each blow also further exhausted Wemby.

The world may not want to acknowledge his fatigue, but it is still a reality. Debut playoff runs almost always end in exhaustion.

That is part of why Wembanyama has fallen short of this modest points prop in three of his last four games and in five of his last seven. Yet in six of those games, he hit multiple 3-pointers.

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Can the Lakers afford to lose LeBron James this summer?

Mar 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images | William Navarro-Imagn Images

Our latest mailbag delivered plenty of great questions, but one topic came up time and time again: LeBron James.

His future is going to be not just the biggest question of the Lakers’ offseason, but one of the biggest in the league as a whole. He’s already broken basically every record in terms of longevity while still showing he can perform at a high level this season.

But with the Lakers looking to move into the Luka Dončić era, does it make sense to also take part in the LeBron retirement tour?

Let’s dive into that debate with your questions.



SirTuppy
Is Lebron’s return truly a good and desirable thing or not?

I am aware that this might be a “baiting” topic. So I want to elaborate a bit on this. The question is more… “Can we look at the pros and cons both short term and longer term and do an analysis?”

I think there are fair arguments to be made in each direction, but that this is a hot subject that isn’t always approached with the, um, most gentile nature.

Now, I don’t mean the “no brainer” sorts of stuff. OF COURSE if Lebron decides, “eff it! I’m coming back on the vet minimum!” then, duh, the Lakers want him back. I also don’t mean the “Give me a max contract or I’m out of here!” takes. Because, of course, the Lakers DON’T want him back (or shouldn’t IMO) on that salary.

I want to see the writers of SS&R go deeper. (Yeah, yeah, insert your juvenile puns here on that phrasing.) Because I think there are good, valid arguments to be made for either making a clean, sharp break and moving on…and bringing him back, hoping for better injury luck, and rolling the dice.

But it really also depends a lot on what Lebron is going to push for as conditions. I personally don’t want to see the Lakers do some sort of lopsided, short term trade for some desperate long shot chance at one more title for Bron that leaves us with a long rebuild afterward…but I also don’t want to just assume that the Lakers with Bron back might not have a puncher’s chance either.

So…no clickbait. No ragebait. Give us the good stuff.

So, let’s try to have that conversation with nuance, because I agree that there are multiple ways to come at this from both sides of the argument.

Depending on when you asked the Lakers during the season, their thoughts on LeBron’s future with the franchise would have been different. For much of the first half of the season, all the signs pointed to the two sides going their separate ways this summer.

Then, the team figured some things out heading into March, LeBron looked great as a willing third fiddle and the Lakers played their best basketball of the season. They legitimately looked like a contender for most of the month, including beating the team that is currently up in the NBA Finals in a rout.

For LeBron, when everything else went awry for the Lakers heading into the playoffs, he stepped up in a way that should also provide some encouragement that he has something to offer for a title-contending team.

Now, even taking that into account, there are other things that come with having LeBron on the team. No matter if he’s the best player on the team or the third option, he’s always going to be a focal point. Conversations will revolve around him.

He also brings pressure that will stress-test a team throughout the year. Whether it’s due to reasons on the court or off of it, there will be multiple times during the campaign where the team’s resolve will be tested.

You also have to account for a regular season in which he’s not going to be going all out throughout. He paces himself, which means you’re likely going to lose games in December and January because LeBron is pacing himself for the postseason.

It is also impossible to fully move into the Luka era with LeBron still on the team. Everyone can acknowledge that this is Luka’s team and Luka’s franchise, but with LeBron on the roster, it won’t fully feel like that.

And yet, even with all those qualifiers, he led the team to a playoff series win as the central figure with Luka and Austin Reaves. It truly can’t be understated, even if it came against an underwhelming Houston side, that LeBron still has enough juice to carry a team in the playoffs.

This is not an easy decision. There are pros and cons, as suggested in the comment/question, about parting with LeBron. Is it worth moving on and into the Luka era if it means moving on from a player who is still capable of contributing at a high level?


ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: LeBron James #23 celebrates with Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on March 21, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A WorthyGreenJohnson, ScottJabbar
Even at his age, if LBJ doesn’t come back, the team is going to need to replace him as best as possible. No one has more experience, in the regular season or playoffs. He’s provided a steady leadership role for the team as well, one Luka doesn’t match. His all-around play may not be at the level it used to be, but losing him will leave a significant gap on the team’s talent pool.

Replacing LBJ, upgrading the bench, and picking up a good starting wing defender should be our priorities. Secondary should be finding another decent center.

I think one aspect that hasn’t been discussed enough is that, if the Lakers should and do move on from LeBron, there is a huge statistical void that will have to be filled.

Last season, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game. If you take that off the team, that’s big, big numbers they have to replace. And that’s to speak nothing of the ways he impacts the team outside of the stat line. The knowledge and experience he has is invaluable and irreplaceable.

No one player can replace LeBron statistically. Even if the Lakers replace him in the aggregate, which is how they’ll have to approach things, and are able to find nearly 21 points and over seven assists and six rebounds per game, there are still ways they’re not going to be able to replace him.

And needing to do all that this summer with a free agent market that isn’t exactly brimming with top-end talent makes it more difficult. They could find solutions via trade, but that will be difficult given the other needs the team will also have.

Can they replace LeBron’s production while also finding athleticism on the perimeter while also finding a center option for the future? One player could fill multiple of those needs, but it makes a tough offseason even more difficult.

The Lakers may be better in the long run by parting ways with LeBron and entering the Luka era, but it will also likely hurt them in the short term.


JeffinBranson
I know this is coming straight from Fantasy-land, but if LeBron wants to win one more Championship before he retires, and wants to bring the trophy to the City of Angels, he needs to take a massive pay cut. He already has more money than Bronny’s grandchildren will ever be able to spend. There comes a time when money should be second, behind winning. This is that time. Sign a FA to bring aboard a fix to the biggest team weakness, whether it be center or wing, or maybe both. If not, than don’t look at the Lakers FO like they didn’t try…they are handcuffed by the salary cap and you’re a very big part of that.
Elgin2Luka
I regret that I am not at all optimistic about this off-season. I fear that Pelinka sold us beach front property in Riverside with his talk of “optionality” for this summer. There in is no optionality unless Le Bron walks, and perhaps even AR must be traded. Otherwise, if those things do not happen, which I think they will not, we are not a cap team and optionality is a dead letter. Everyone knows that LeBron will get at least $ 30-35M, and we will be just like last year–hard capped at the first apron with only one of the MLEs. In fact, we’ll be lucky to get our top seven players back, and we may even end up worse off than last year. So LeBron, with apologies, will he stay or will he go? If he stays there will be trouble, as in no cap space. If he goes it will be double, as in what, $100M plus hit to ownership? Guess which door he’s behind. I certainly know which one I fear it will be. And AR’s upcoming contract, with a huge salary increase, exacerbates the situation after this year. So we can’t solve our problems this year if LeBron stays. And even if LeBron only stays one more year, we can’t solve them next year if AR gets a massive new deal.

Stay tuned boys and girls. Will Walter really have the guts to make the hard calls this summer and to make this Luka’s team, right now? Or will he succumb to the LeCashCow? Well, we’ve all got front row seats, and I’ll be back as soon as I get my popcorn.

I’m going to ignore all of the doom and gloom of the second comment because I want to focus a bit on LeBron’s upcoming contract and both of these questions commented on that.

I don’t think LeBron is under any illusion that he’s a massive contract guy anymore. Even if he is, the free agent market is going to let him know that’s the case. The only contending team that could offer him that type of money is the Lakers and they’d be bidding against themselves for that matter.

It’s hard to see a scenario where LeBron’s contract is much more than the mid-level exception — which will be roughly $15 million this year — because that’s what the market is going to dictate. Again, if you think he’s getting more than that, it’s because you think the Lakers are going to cave and just give him a bunch of money.

You can point to how the team handled the end of Kobe Bryant’s career, but I’d argue that…

  1. That was a different front office
  2. That was different ownership
  3. That was a Lakers team set for a rebuild and not one set to contend

I don’t disagree that giving LeBron a deal around $30-35 million basically dooms the rest of their free agency plans. I also don’t think that he is getting that deal.

Now, on the flip side of that, I’m not ever going to criticize someone for taking money. If the Lakers offer LeBron $30 million, my anger would be at the front office, not LeBron. By the same token, I’m not going to tell or expect a player to take less money to be competitive.

It’s nice if a player does take a discount to help the team win, but it’s not their job to take less money and if I was in their shoes, I can’t say I’d be willing to take less money to compete. This is life-changing money, even if LeBron is a billionaire. He came from nothing. I’m not going to criticize or expect him to take less.

Having said that, it is substantially easier to build a title-contending team if LeBron takes significantly less money, obviously. I’d question how much he wants to bring a title to Los Angeles on his way out, since he already brought the city a title. I doubt those are his motivations.

There was also the comment LeBron made about when he would decide his future. He gave a timeline of late June through August where he would make his decision. The Lakers aren’t going to wait on him, so if he wants to make a decision after the beginning of July, then he’s returning to the Lakers on a minimum. I’m not reading too much into that for now, but it did pique my interest.

If you want to make the case for why he would stay in Los Angeles, I think a more compelling argument would focus on the family roots he has in the city. Does he really want to relocate his family again for what will likely be a one-year retirement tour? Does he want to live alone during that time if they remain in LA?

Considering how much he speaks about his family and how close he is to them, I venture to think neither of those are options desires.

If I were to guess, I think LeBron is back in Los Angeles for one more season next year. I genuinely do not know what the contract will be. I don’t expect it to be north of $20-25 million because that really starts to handicap the Lakers this summer.

What I do know, though, is that moving on from LeBron this summer is going to create even more holes for the Lakers to plug in an offseason with plenty of them already.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Air Corgi’s NBA Finals Game 1 appearance backfires on Spurs fans

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A corgi dressed in a jersey is held up by cheering fans at a basketball game, with the score Knicks 27, 19 in the second quarter, Image 2 shows A puppy on a staircase between imagery of the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, with text
Air Corgi Knicks

It’s safe to say Air Corgi’s NBA Finals appearance didn’t go the way Spurs fans probably hoped.

Air Corgi — real name Lilo — is a dog with 1.6 million followers on TikTok who predicts the outcome of several sports games by pushing a ball down stairs into a basket, was in the building for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday night.

But after the Knicks downed San Antonio 105-95 in thrilling fashion Wednesday night, Lilo is 0-for-1 on her NBA Finals prediction after picking the Spurs to win the opener and ultimately the series in seven games.

Viral sensation and TikTok-famous dog Air Corgi made an appearance at NBA Finals Game 1 Wednesday night. Corgi incorrectly predicted the Spurs to win Game 1.

Corgi’s prediction ruffled some feathers on X, with some even joking the dog was fraudulent and mentioning how she incorrectly predicted the 2025 NBA Finals by picking the Pacers to win in six games.

Despite her prediction, Corgi still received a standing ovation from fans in the second quarter Wednesday night and was lifted in the air.

San Antonio’s video scoreboard even showed a dog bouncing a ball into a basket, mimicking what Corgi does on TikTok.

Even with some calling her a fraud, Corgi pulled off a remarkable feat last month.

She not only correctly predicted the Spurs would beat the Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference finals, but correctly predicted the outcome of every single game.

The dog also correctly picked the Knicks to beat the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, though she predicted a six-game series instead of the eventual sweep.

Corgi doesn’t only predict NBA games, however.

She also predicted the Stanley Cup outcome on Tuesday, picking the Golden Knights to beat the Hurricanes in six games.

Air Corgi looks to make it 1-of-2 in her NBA Finals prediction Friday night, where she chose the Knicks to steal Game 2.

Air Corgi correctly predicted every game of the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio and New York square off in Game 2 Friday at 8:30 p.m.

The Refs Are Becoming Part Of The Story Again

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 05: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks chats with referee Scott Foster #48 during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on April 5, 2024 in Chicago. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Blaming officiating is something every fanbase in every sport has done. A lot of times, it’s overblown or unreasonable. Sometimes, it’s not. A lot of Knicks fans would argue that last night’s Game 1 would be categorized as the latter. And they may have a very good case.

At one point in the game, the Spurs had taken seven free throws to the Knicks’ zero. Not too long after, the attempt discrepancy ballooned to 10-1 Spurs. And at halftime, the Spurs had 12 attempts, while the Knicks had managed to scrape together a paltry three attempts. Thanks to a few calls in the second half and some garbage time free throws, the Knicks did end up taking 18 free throws, while the Spurs took 25 in total. Now, looking at free-throw attempts alone as a way of judging the quality of officiating can be a slippery slope.

Every team is different, which means shot diet, physicality, and pace can all play factors in how many free throws a team deserves to get, or doesn’t deserve to get. But in general, players, coaches, and fans alike ask for one thing- consistency. And that’s where the Knicks have a justifiable argument.

On one end of the floor, Victor Wembanyama was getting to the free-throw line for some marginal contact and ticky-tack fouls. As you can see below, Wembanyama benefited from some soft calls considering it’s the Finals.

Now, yes, some of the calls Wembanyama got were warranted. By the books, they are fouls. But what fans didn’t understand was that the same kind of calls were not going the other way. Below, you can argue that Landry Shamet tries to sell the call. And if the refs were allowing the Knicks to play with the same kind of physicality, I don’t think there’d be as much of an uproar. But those seem like odd no-calls considering the whistle Wembanyama was getting. But that wasn’t even the worst parts.

It’s one thing for Shamet not to get a call, because as good as he’s been, and as beloved as he’s become, he’s just not a star. Brunson, on the other hand, is. A multiple-time All-Star and All-NBA player, while being the face of one of the most popular franchises in the league. What’s his reward? A measly four free throw attempts. And it’s not like he was taking only three-point shots.

Brunson spent much of the first half driving to the rim and taking contact. I think fans understood that the whistle may be Spurs-friendly due to the location of the game. But some of the no-calls were just too egregious. In the play below, Dylan Harper gets a handful of Brunson’s jersey, and it’s clear as day. Somehow, this resulted in a no-call.

Later on in the first half, Luke Kornet steps on Brunson’s ankle after the layup. Also, a no-call.

And the play below was almost just as bad. While this one hasn’t been talked about as much because it did result in a call, Scott Foster misses a clear swipe across the arm, and only calls it when Brunson is fouled a second time on the shot.

If anything, the 25-18 free-throw discrepancy doesn’t do the one-sided officiating job justice. While things did balance out a bit in the second half, it was one of the more egregiously biased whistles in recent memory. Again, all the Knicks want is some consistency. San Antonio should not be allowed to shove, grab, and step on players if they are getting to the line for marginal contact.

With the Knicks’ odds of winning it all at -132 on FanDuel now, it will be interesting to see if the officiating continues to be a topic of discussion. A more Knicks-friendly whistle could sway the odds even more in their favor, while the continuation of last night’s whistle could swing the odds back in favor of the Spurs, who do currently have a -235 odds to win tomorrow night’s Game 2.

2 key Celtics assistant coaches in the mix for NBA head coach positions next year

Boston, MA - November 3: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with assistant coach Tony Dobbins in the third quarter at TD Garden on November 3, 2025. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

Celtics assistant coaches Tony Dobbins and Tyler Lashbrook could both become NBA head coaches next season. Lashbrook is a finalist for the Portland Trail Blazers head coach position, while Dobbins is in the mix for the Dallas Mavericks head coach position.

Dobbins has been with the Celtics since 2017 and is one of Joe Mazzulla’s four front-of-bench assistant coaches, while Lashbrook has been with the team since 2023 and works primarily on the offensive (and player development) side.

What Tony Dobbins brings to the Celtics

Tony Dobbins is one of the Celtics’ longest-tenured assistants and an important member of the defensive team. He is a former professional basketball player who went undrafted after an illustrious career at Virginia Tech (1999-2000) and Richmond (2001-2004) as a defensive specialist. Dobbins spent a few years in the G League, but the majority of his 13-year pro career took place overseas, where he laced up for professional clubs in Italy, Greece, France, and Spain.

Dobbins has been a Celtics assistant coach since 2017, beginning in the film room and rising through the ranks over the past decade. Dobbins was the Celtics’ Summer League head coach in 2023. This past year, he was the assistant coach who worked most closely with Jayson Tatum as he rehabbed his Achilles injury.

“He’s one of the best people you’ll ever be around,” Jayson Tatum told CelticsBlog last year.

“I can’t thank him enough for his selflessness and just really being engaged with me every single day,” Tatum said after making his return from his Achilles injury.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 12: Head coach Tony Dobbins of the Boston Celtics looks on in the first half of a 2023 NBA Summer League game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Celtics defeat the Lakers 95-90. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Before that, Dobbins worked most closely as Jaylen Brown’s lead coach. He’s widely known as one of the most patient and even-keeled people on the Celtics’ sidelines.

“Tony is always keeping everybody level-headed – reminding me, and reminding our team just to breathe,” Brown said in February. “Managing the emotions of the game is what he speaks to a lot, because the better players — the better professionals — can manage their stress levels and their emotions during the game, so that they can see the game clearly.”

Marc Stein reported on Thursday that the Mavericks are expected to interview a dozen or so prospects to replace Jason Kidd as head coach. In addition to Dobbins, that list includes Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Houston Rockets assistant Royal Ivey, Toronto Raptors assistant Jama Mahlalela, and Miami consultant
Noah LaRoche.

What Tyler Lashbrook brings to the Celtics

Tyler Lashbrook is one of the lead voices in the Celtics’ offense team and a key part of the team’s player development. He was the head coach of the Maine Celtics during the 2024-2025 season before returning to the parent club this year.

DETROIT, MI DECEMBER 29: Maine Celtics head coach Tyler Lashbrook talks with Ron Harper Jr. #24 during the first half of the game against the Motor City Cruise on December 29, 2024 at Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Before joining the Celtics in 2023, Lashbrook was with the Philadelphia 76ers since 2014. He began as an intern in the film room and worked his way to becoming a video coordinator and player development coach.

Lashbrook was a player development coach in Boston during the championship season before becoming a head coach in the G League for the first time last year.

Lashbrook is reportedly one of three finalists for the Trail Blazers head coach position, a list that also includes interim head coach Tiago Splitter and longtime Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, per Marc Stein.

If either Dobbins or Lashbrook is selected for their respective head coach roles, they’ll become the latest in a long line of former Celtics assistants to land head coach positions. Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee and Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy were both recently Celtics assistants, while Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was the Celtics’ head coach in 2022.