ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 26: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena on February 26, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The long, long wait is over as Jonathan Kuminga has finally made a decision this offseason.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, he will not be coming to Los Angeles. Despite it seemingly being one of the best options available, Kuminga opted not to join the purple and gold, instead signing with Wolves, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Kuminga chose the Timberwolves over offers from the Lakers, Bulls and Trail Blazers — bypassing a similar starting role and $12M-plus annually over three years in L.A. to land in Minnesota for a shorter-term deal and an ability to have more control of his future, sources said. https://t.co/Nq9byvxkII
After a flurry of signings early in free agency, things downshifted quickly and drastically as everyone waited on Kuminga. Initially, the blame was put on LeBron James and the wait for his own decision. But weeks passed after LeBron went to Philly, and Kuminga still didn’t make a move.
The Cavaliers, often mentioned as interested in Kuminga, trading for Peyton Watson closed that door, leaving few remaining. As reported by Charania, along with the Lakers and Wolves, the Bulls and Blazers also were suitors.
Last season, Kuminga averaged 12.2 points per game while playing for both Golden State and Atlanta. His production was roughly equivalent between the two sides, though he was a bit more efficient with the Hawks.
For his career, he averages 12.5 points per game while shooting 33.2% from deep and 50.2% from the field. He also grabs 4.2 rebounds and hands out 1.8 assists per contest.
This leaves the Lakers with work to be done. Kuminga was the best wing option available on the free agent market and filled the need for an athletic forward. At the very least, LA will have to make a trade to shed at least one salary as they have 16 guaranteed contracts.
Most likely, they will look to consolidate multiple players with draft picks to try to fill the hole on the perimeter. They’ve also been searching the trade market for centers as well, so there’s still work to be done.
But there’s no getting around the fact that the Lakers wanted Kuminga and missed out on him. Whether it was his role on the team, the Lakers being unable to work out a trade or Kuminga wanting another crack at free agency next summer — something he would not have been able to do with a sign-and-trade with the Lakers — this is a miss. With relatively little time remaining before training camp opens, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka will have to make some moves.
Draymond Green bashes early "naysayers" if Klay Thompson doesn't perform up to expectations.
The expectation for Klay Thompson is to be an impactful piece for the Miami Heat this year, but it also comes with the question of, “Has father time truly caught up with the former Splash Brother?”
With the possibility of Thompson not performing as well as he did with the Golden State Warriors during the first 11 years of his career, his former teammate, Draymond Green, sounded off on any perceived expectations.
“I don’t like how everybody is trying to act like ‘It’s Klay Thompson,” Green said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.” “… The reason I don’t like it is because I feel like everybody is trying to set Klay up for failure.”
Miami Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra introducing Klay Thompson as a member of the Heat. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
“I’m going to say it here right now. Let’s stop acting like it’s 2017 Klay going to Miami.”
Green went on to say he wishes that Thompson’s move to Miami was viewed like Ray Allen’s, when he joined the Heat in 2012.
“That’s the role I’d expect of Klay,” Green said. “Don’t try to set my brother up. Like you’re about to get the 2017 Klay, so the moment you don’t, y’all can bash him.”
Thompson returned to the basketball court in January 2022, but has never looked like his old self, as he’s struggled to be the dominant scorer he once was.
In 2024, his inability to shoot behind the three-point line resulted in him being benched by the Warriors, which would later result in his departure from the team when the season concluded.
Draymond Green and Klay Thompson as teammates with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. USA TODAY Sports
Last year, Thompson appeared in 69 games for the Mavericks, but only started in eight games, and shot a career low of 38.3% from the three-point line.
“He’s going into year 16 of his career; we obviously know the injuries he’s faced,” Green said. “Yes he is going to provide shooting, because he shoots the lights out of the ball, and when he’s 60, he’ll be able to shoot the lights out of the ball.”
But the four-time NBA champion wanted to ensure realistic expectations are being set for his former teammate.
Metta Sandiford-Artest said he tried to buy a 1% minority ownership stake in the Lakers under Mark Walter, but his bid was declined.
Sandiford-Artest said he reached out to Walter after the businessman bought the Buss family’s majority stake in the Lakers for a $10 billion valuation in 2025.
The City Council celebrates “Metta World Peace Day” honoring the former Lakers star and mental health advocate, born Ronald Artest, at Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles on Friday, May 15, 2026. (David Buchan for Ca Post) David Buchan for Ca Post
“I sent the email the next day, I tried to get in at $100 [million], and they didn’t let me in,” Sandiford-Artest told the California Post. “But I wish he had let me in. That would’ve been great to have a former Laker as an owner, especially with the Buss family gone. It would’ve been great to have a Laker, a champion like Metta World Peace.”
Walter is being investigated by federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding potential loan fraud.
Sandiford-Artest, who played for the Lakers for six seasons over two separate stints and won a championship alongside Kobe Bryant in 2010, said he had a feeling that the Lakers’ eye-popping valuation was going to skyrocket.
“Once it sold, the next day I tried to buy in for 1%,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I knew it was going to [go up in value]. I knew it. I said the Lakers are going to be valued at $14 [billion]. I thought it was going to be a $14 billion value within like 18 months.”
Sandiford-Artest said he wasn’t sure why Walter declined his offer.
“They didn’t respond, and then they were like no,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “The reason why I tried to is I knew the value was going to go up, so I missed out. I was kind of bummed about it. You have a former player who wants to put in $100 [million].”
Under the Lakers’ new ownership, Sandiford-Artest believes the valuation of the 17-time championship franchise is going to soar even more.
“The Lakers are going to be just as big as Disney, honestly,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post.
Los Angeles Dodgers owner and chairman Mark Walter speaks during a ceremony to unveil a statue of former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images) Getty Images
Sandiford-Artest said he similarly tried to buy a stake in the BIG3, a 3-on-3 half-court professional basketball league founded in 2017 by rapper and actor Ice Cube and businessman Jeff Kwatinetz.
Sandiford-Artest, who played in the BIG3 in 2018, said his offer was declined. The league is expecting a $290 million valuation when it plans to go public later this year.
“I would’ve seven-exed my money,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I was a little bit bummed, But it goes to show you the foresight that I had.”
Sandiford-Artest retired from the NBA in 2017. He was an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He was a four-time All Defensive Team selectee over his 17-season career.
As for the Lakers, Sandiford-Artest has nothing but gratitude for his two stints with the franchise from 2009-2013 and 2015-2017.
They transformed him into a champion after he feared he would be out of the league following the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl in November 2004, which led to him being suspended for 86 games when he was with the Pistons.
“I was surprised to be a Laker, honestly,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I didn’t think that was going to happen. They helped me out by letting me play on their team and helping me get a ring. That was something I always wanted.”
President of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss attends the Dr. Drew 60th birthday and podcast roast benefiting The Prostate Cancer Foundation at STK on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Getty Images) Getty Images
Sandiford-Artest famously made a game-sealing 3-pointer for the Lakers with 1:01 left in Game 7 of the Finals against the Celtics in 2010.
“Just the way they involved me in the organization,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “That stands out a lot. It was like a family.”
Sandiford-Artest praised Jeanie Buss and the Lakers’ executives for supporting his advocacy for mental health awareness among athletes.
“They created a platform as they got involved with UCLA Health, adding a psychologist, all of the stuff like that,” Sandiford-Artest told The Post. “I think that was a great compliment. I was already bringing that stuff to the forefront, and I think Jeanie had an interest in it.”
Jerry Buss initially bought the Lakers as part of a larger financial deal for $67.5 million in 1979 before leaving his stake in the franchise to his children after he died in 2013.
Under the Buss family, Sandiford-Artest said the Lakers felt like a “mom and pop” organization.
“They just always made it feel like home,” he said.
ESPN reported that Joey and Jesse will be on the Padres’ ownership group's advisory board.
Then there’s the ongoing struggle with their sister Jeanie. She’s trying to maintain her role as governor and controlling owner of the Lakers while her five siblings are pushing for the family to sell its 17.8% in the Lakers.
The Lakers were sold this month to businessman Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion. Mark Walter bought the team about a year earlier and that sale impacted the youngest of four Buss brothers.
ESPN’s Sham Charania reported in November that Joey and Jesse had been terminated from their front office positions as the Lakers reorganized their basketball operations department.
Their father, the late Jerry Buss, owned the Lakers from 1979 until his death in 2013.
It’s unclear what role Jesse and Joey Buss had with the Lakers. But ESPN reported that as members of the advisory committee they would draw on their experience with “player development, payroll management and roster construction.”
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 2: Stephen Curry #30 listens to head coach Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 2, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 105-85. 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 2010 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Don Nelson is one of the most important figures in Golden State Warriors franchise history. That’s why the team will be honoring him with a jersey patch all next summer — even putting it above their data center patch!
Paying homage to a legend of the game.
The Golden State Warriors will honor Hall of Fame head coach Don Nelson with a ‘Nellie’ band on their uniforms throughout the 2026-27 season. pic.twitter.com/1gpW0Oq0z0
The Warriors will sport a “NELLIE” patch on the left shoulder of their uniforms, honoring the coach who won 422 games over 11 seasons running the team. Nelson, who passed away earlier this month at age 86, won five titles as an NBA player and led the Warriors to some improbable playoff victories. The Warriors swept the Utah Jazz and Defensive Player of the Year Mark Eaton in 1989 while playing 6-foot-7 Rod Higgins at center and upset the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in 2007 by frustrating Dirk Nowitzki with a high-paced, small-ball lineup.
Nelson once said, “The more scotch I drink, the better the game plan gets,” and in 2007, the NBA actually had to bar him from bringing cans into postgame news conferences. What a legend.
The patch joins the “IREN” patch on the Warriors jerseys, which is an Australian company that makes data centers. To truly honor Nelson, the Warriors might also want to add an “IRIE” patch, considering he began farming marijuana in Hawaii, to go along with his bed-and-breakfast and his legendary poker room, popularized by the likes of Woody Nelson and Woody Harrelson, though not Woody Allen.
It’s a common way of memorializing franchise legends for the Warriors. In the 2024-25 season, they honored longtime guard, coach, and executive Al Attles with a No. 16 patch. In 2016, they wore a No. 42 patch for Hall of Famer and barbecue legend Nate Thurmond. In the 2010-11 season, the jerseys sported a patch of Franklin Mieuli’s signature deerstalker cap after their former owner passed away.
The Warriors will also honor Nelson this season by playing small lineups, because they don’t have tall players on their roster, and having seven-foot centers launch three-pointers. As another tribute, they’ll likely be driving their fans to reach for scotch or a bag of Nellie Kush. Just as Nellie would have wanted.
With Bennedict Mathurin headed to New Orleans, there are minutes available for Jordan Miller off the bench with the Clippers. He's just not going to be able to take advantage of that for a while.
"Jordan Miller underwent surgery today to repair a torn left rotator cuff sustained during an offseason workout last week. Miller will be reevaluated in 6 months," The Clippers announced on Wednesday.
Reevaluated in six months means the soonest he might return is March, and he could return later than that.
Miller, a 2023 second-round pick out of Miami, took a step forward last season, averaging 10 points a game and shooting 34.5% from beyond the arc. He was rewarded with a three-year, $15.3 million contract this July. Miller will push to return and perform well this season because only the first year of that new contract is guaranteed.
The Clippers still have good guard depth. The expected starting backcourt is Darius Garland and No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler, with Gradey Dick (if and when the Kawhi Leonard trade goes through), Kris Dunn and Bradley Beal off the bench. If Tyronn Lue wants to play bigger, Kobe Sanders could slide to the two for a stretch.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 27: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Four on April 27, 2026 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When you look at the Phoenix Suns, their current roster construction, and how it impacts both the short term and the long term, one thing is clear. This upcoming season is going to be a make-or-break year for 24-year-old Jalen Green.
Green came to Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade, bringing the youth and athleticism the Suns desperately needed. Unfortunately, he played only 32 games last season. That’s right, his superpower of health instantly evaporated once he experienced the Phoenix sun. Last season was supposed to be the dating period, the time when we learned about his fit and skill set within the confines of who the Suns are and what they are. Alas, injuries pushed that timeline back. Now, 2026–27 becomes the dating period. That being said, the Phoenix Suns are facing an interesting dilemma when it comes to Green.
He’s owed $36.3 million this upcoming season, the second-highest salary on the team, and holds a $36 million player option for the following year. With extensions beginning to kick in for players like Dillon Brooks and potentially Miles Bridges, committing additional long-term money to Green could become financially irresponsible. So he enters this season with something to prove. If Green doesn’t show that he’s worth being part of the long-term plan, then the clock starts ticking on when and how Phoenix moves off his contract.
That leads to the real question. How long do you give Jalen Green? Do you let the entire season play out and make a decision next summer, knowing there’s a strong possibility he opts into that $36 million player option? Or, if he struggles, do you start shopping him early and potentially move him before or at the trade deadline?
That’s the dilemma Phoenix will have to navigate. The front office has to weigh all these factors while also trying to understand exactly how Green fits within this team’s ecosystem. Is he someone you use as a primary playmaker, allowing Devin Booker to thrive more in an off-ball role? Or is Green the off-ball guard, the player who benefits from the gravity Booker naturally creates?
The early indications suggest the Suns may want Green to handle more point guard responsibilities, much like they experimented with Bradley Beal two summers ago.
Maybe in the future they switch it but as of right now they view Jalen as the PG.
Is that the right strategy? I’m not sure the guy with a 1.4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio is the ideal choice to be your primary ball handler. Booker, by comparison, has a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.8:1. Yikes, right? My guess is that we’re going to see an infusion of both philosophies. That would make sense considering the Suns are clearly leaning into a more modern, positionless approach with the way they’ve constructed this roster.
In a perfect world, Green progresses as both a player and a playmaker. He uses his athleticism to become elite at getting to the rim while also improving his overall decision-making. If that happens, the Suns will then have to figure out how to make everything work financially in the years ahead. But if Green reaches that level, that’s a good problem to have.
You’d much rather have a talented player and be trying to figure out how to make everything fit within the system, the organization, and the cap sheet than be stuck with someone who is overpriced, overpaid, and underperforming. So ultimately, this is a prove-it year for Jalen Green.
And proving it means more than scoring points. Green has to show that his athleticism can translate into winning basketball, that his decision-making can improve, and that he complements Booker rather than complicates the offense around him. Phoenix never received the evaluation period it expected last season. Now it gets another chance. By next summer, the Suns need to know whether Jalen Green is part of what they’re building or simply another contract they have to navigate around.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Director of Scouting/Assistant General Manager Jesse Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers (R) attends a game between the Lakers and the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 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. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Joey and Jesse Buss didn’t take long to find their way back into sports franchise ownership. On Wednesday, the Buss brothers announced they had joined the San Diego Padres ownership group.
Shortly before finalizing the sale of their majority stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter last year, the brothers created Buss Sports Capital to return to ownership. Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported the details of the deal with the Padres.
Joey and Jesse announced they will be on the new ownership group’s advisory board and apply their experience with player development, payroll management and roster construction to support this new era in Padres franchise history. Their stake in the Padres is in the neighborhood of 5%, sources told ESPN.
Joey released a statement to ESPN on the decision to join the Padres, their first move as a company.
“We are honored to join Kwanza and José and have the opportunity to contribute to the future of a team that Jesse and I have loved since we were kids growing up in San Diego,” Joey Buss said in a statement. “Sports have always been a part of our family’s story, and great organizations have a unique ability to bring people together and create a lasting sense of community. Padres fans have built one of the most passionate and loyal communities in all of sports, and we believe there is a tremendous opportunity to deepen that connection in San Diego and around the world.
“The Padres are on the cusp of something special, and through Buss Sports Capital, we look forward to bringing our experience and perspective to the ownership group and doing our part to build on the strong foundation already in place.”
This move should not be contingent on anything with the sale of the minority stake the siblings are trying to complete. That said, I’m sure they’d love to add more money to this venture with another sale, which might be part of their motivation to cash out.
McMenamin also noted an interesting point later in the article about potential future endeavors for the Buss brothers.
The minority ownership position with the Padres is Buss Sports Capital’s first major business move since its launch; however, the Buss brothers continue to pursue an ownership stake in the upcoming NBA Europe league, sources told ESPN.
The NBA Europe league still doesn’t feel like it’ll be a real thing, but that’s not really based on anything of note. Commissioner Adam Silver has pushed hard to expand into Europe, so it’s clearly a priority for him. Smaller developments over the years seem to be laying the groundwork for an NBA Europe league.
One would think that the Buss brothers would be good candidates to get involved with the league. Both wanted to remain with the Lakers before Jeanie fired them and had success with the franchise.
Now, it’ll just be a matter of how much money they may have to invest in the new league.
The woman accusing former Los Angeles Lakers star Byron Scott of sexually assaulting her when she was 15 has settled her claims against Campbell Hall, the prestigious Southern California private school where the alleged incident occurred nearly 40 years ago.
Terms of the settlement are under seal until the completion of the civil lawsuit against Scott, according to a ruling issued in the case last week approving the agreement and obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, August 26. The trial is set to begin on Sept. 8 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
According to court documents previously obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the woman accuses the now 65-year-old Scott of sexual battery and false imprisonment. The original lawsuit was filed in 2022 under the California Child Victim's Act, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors to file civil claims. Scott sought to keep his name out of the documents and requested to use "John Doe."
The lawsuit says in 1987 the Lakers were visiting the accuser's high school, Campbell Hall in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles, where the accuser was taking summer classes, after which she "was sexually assaulted by Byron Scott in a locked janitor’s closet in the high school gymnasium." The team was at the school filming instructional basketball videos in the gym and met with the parents, students and teachers.
Campbell Hall was also named as a defendant, and the lawsuit accused the institution of negligence for not protecting the accuser. The school previously attempted to remove itself from the litigation, but a judge ruled against its motion in January. The lawsuit demanded a jury trial and $25,000 for damages, payment of attorney fees, and loss of wages to be paid by Scott and the high school.
Notable Campbell Hall alumni include director Paul Thomas Anderson, actresses Dakota and Elle Fanning and NBA players Jrue, Justin and Aaron Holiday.
Scott was 26 years old and married to his first wife, Anita, at the time of the alleged sexual assault. He has since divorced and remarried. Scott played for the Lakers from 1983 to 1993, winning three NBA championships during the "Showtime" era, and finished his career with the team in 1996-97. Scott also spent 15 seasons as an NBA head coach, most recently with the Lakers in 2015-16.
"Our client is devastated by this complaint," Scott's attorney Linda Bauermeister said in a statement in May 2025 after the lawsuit was initially filed. "Our client believed the plaintiff to be over 18 and had no idea she would claim otherwise until 35 years later. He respects girls and women, and the claims have blindsided him and his family."
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 19: The sneakers worn by Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 19, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Perhaps Michael Jordan’s media career will mirror his NBA years with a little break in the middle.
Jordan’s run with NBC Sports’s basketball coverage is expected to cease after just one year, according to Front Office Sports, although the reason has not yet been revealed.
NBC Sports landed exclusive interviews with Jordan in its return to NBA coverage last season, an addition many hailed since Jordan is known for being rather reserved when it comes to media details.
Michael Jordan during one of his NBC segments. @NBAonNBC/YouTube
That excitement, though, tempered when NBA fans realized that Jordan would not be making live appearances to provide analysis.
Instead, the network broke up one pre-recorded sit-down interview with Mike Tirico into different clips for the “MJ: Insights to Excellence” segments that didn’t highlight the sport’s current storylines.
“It’s a bad look for NBC and it’s just a bad look, plain and simple,” Barkley said in January.
“They couldn’t fly to Michael like once a month and do a new interview? That makes NBC look really bad, plain and simple.”
Tirico defended the segment, pointing to the rarity of Jordan speaking about the sport since he had last done so during ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary in 2020.
He described Jordan as “awesome” for the segments.
“Was it what everyone wanted? Probably not,” Tirico said in January. “Was it better than not hearing from Michael Jordan? You’re damn right it was. And if we get another shot at it, will I be more than excited to be a part of it? You betcha. In our world right now, all you want to do is make the final answer before you know everything. I love that Michael trusted us enough to sit and do something that he hasn’t done in a long, long, long time.”
He added: “Every time one airs, people say, ‘Oh, this is from the same interview.’ But they also talk about what he said. It starts a topic of conversation. His voice still resonates.”
Michael Jordan (r.) sitting with Mike Tirico (l) during one of the segments. @NBAonNBC/YouTube
Jordan, the six-time NBA champion, is still active in NBA circles due to his standing as a minority owner of the Hornets.
Jonathan Kuminga now has limited options in free agency after another one of his suitors pivoted. Getty Images
The Timberwolves can sign Kuminga as part of their tax mid-level exception, without requiring the Hawks cooperation. In some ways, it’s an easier deal for the Timberwolves to get done.
Kuminga’s free agency has been a complex process, but it’s near its conclusion.
Siblings Joey and Jesse Buss (in black hat), from left, sitting in the front row during a press conferrence announcing new Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, at the UCLA Health Training Center, in El Segundo, CA, Monday, June 6, 2022.
The Buss brothers will be on the Padres’ ownership group’s advisory board as part of their investment in the franchise.
Joey Buss said in a statement to The Athletic: “We are honored to join Kwanza and José and have the opportunity to contribute to the future of a team that Jesse and I have loved since we were kids growing up in San Diego. Sports have always been a part of our family’s story, and great organizations have a unique ability to bring people together and create a lasting sense of community. Padres fans have built one of the most passionate and loyal communities in all of sports, and we believe there is a tremendous opportunity to deepen that connection in San Diego and around the world.
“The Padres are on the cusp of something special, and through Buss Sports Capital, we look forward to bringing our experience and perspective to the ownership group and doing our part to build on the strong foundation already in place.”
Alternate governor Joey Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers addresses the fans during the NBA Cup Trophy ceremony after the game against the Indiana Pacers during the In-Season Tournament Championship game on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images
Joey and Jesse Buss are also pursuing an ownership stake in an NBA Europe franchise.
San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King winds up against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in San Diego. (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) AP Photo/Derrick Tuskan
Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ current governor, didn’t vote in favor of the sale and is contesting her siblings’ decision through her lawyer, Adam Streisand.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Bennedict Mathurin #9 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after the play in the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. 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 Don Collier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Bennedict Mathurin is headed to New Orleans. How long he’ll stay in the Big Easy remains to be seen.
The former Arizona Wildcats standout has signed a two-year $16 million deal with the Pelicans that includes a player option, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
Bennedict Mathurin has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, including a player option, sources tell ESPN.
Mathurin’s reps approached the Clippers about withdrawing his $8.8M qualifying offer, effectively turning the QO into a more favorable… pic.twitter.com/U53SEBOm3m
According to Charania, Mathurin chose flexibility and an earlier route to unrestricted free agency versus longer-term offers that would have come with total team control.
Mathurin was traded last season to the Los Angeles Clippers after spending the first three-and-a-half seasons with the Indiana Pacers. The 24-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists last year.
Mathurin only started one game with the Clippers out of 26 appearances. He’ll have a better opportunity to earn a starting role in New Orleans, where his main competition will be Trey Murphy and Saddiq Bey. The Pelicans are coming off a 26-56 season.
New Orleans has had its eye on Mathurin for some time, according to Charania, who reported the team has aggressively pursued him for over a year.
Mathurin becomes the first Arizona alum to play for New Orleans since Solomon Hill and Stanley Johnson played for them in 2019.
Jonathan Kuminga has found a new home following his first foray into unrestricted NBA free agency.
The former top Warriors draft pick has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option, his agent Aaron Turner told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.
Per Charania, Kuminga will start for the Timberwolves during the 2026-27 NBA season.
BREAKING: Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, plus a player option, agent Aaron Turner tells ESPN. Kuminga will be a starter alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on the West contender. pic.twitter.com/KdtD6YEy9j
Following his up-and-down tenure in the Bay, Golden State traded Kuminga to the Atlanta Hawks in February, along with Buddy Hield, in the deal that brought Kristaps Porziņģis to the Warriors. The Hawks subsequently declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option in June after the young forward averaged 12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds across 16 games with them.
As the Warriors’ No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga averaged 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 278 games with Golden State . As a rookie, he helped Golden State win the 2022 NBA championship, and his best season came two years later when he averaged 16.1 points in 74 contests.
But Kuminga was in and out of Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s rotation during his last few seasons with the team and eventually demanded a trade, bringing an end to an often-tumultuous tenure with Golden State.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings were linked to Kuminga this offseason, but instead he lands with a different Western Conference competitor. Kuminga and the new-look Timberwolves will play the Warriors in Golden State’s fifth game of the 2026-27 season on Oct. 28th in Minnesota.
