Lakers reportedly being sold from Buss family to Dodgers owner Mark Walter for record $10 billion valuation
The Lakers may be the biggest team brand in the NBA, with the most globally recognized star on the team, but in many ways, they were a throwback — the Lakers were the Buss family business. The children of legendary owner Jerry Buss run the team as their primary source of income, all have roles in operating the team, and they own the team through a shared trust (they own 66% of the Lakers). However, without a massive outside income source, it has become increasingly difficult for them to keep up financially in spending off the court with private equity owners or individuals like cross-town Clippers owner Steve Ballmer (net worth $151 billion). For example, the Lakers have likely the smallest scouting staff in the NBA; it was just not where they spent money. The cost of keeping up has been getting harder for a team that has to turn a profit to feed a lot of mouths.
That's why the Buss family is selling a majority stake of the Lakers to Dodgers owner Mark Walter at a franchise valuation of $10 billion, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed by others, including NBCLA.
The Buss family will retain 15% ownership, at least for a time, according to the report. That is enough for Jeanie Buss to stay on as governor under the NBA's bylaws, and she is expected to do so. This sale has to be approved by the NBA Board of Governors (the other owners).
This sale price sets the record for an NBA team, topping the $6.1 billion valuation of the Boston Celtics for their sale earlier this year (that sale is still being finalized).
Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke for $67.5 million, and that sale included the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Forum (now owned by the Clippers' Ballmer and is a popular concert venue). The Lakers have won 11 NBA championships since that purchase and have consistently featured some of the best and most popular players in the sport, including Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and now LeBron James.
Jeanie and the five other Buss children own the Lakers through a complex trust set up by Jerry Buss before he passed in 2013, and they could only sell if the majority of them agreed to the deal. While there had been rumors that Jim Buss — who was head of basketball operations for the team but was ultimately pushed aside by Jeanie as fans grew restless — and at least one other family member had wanted to sell for a while. The way the trust is rumored to be structured, the shares owned by the Buss children do not automatically pass on to their children (if one Buss family member passes, the split goes from six to five). With several of those Buss family members older than 60, it may have factored into the decision.
Walter is the CEO of TWG Global, a private equity company, as well as the co-founder and CEO of Guggenheim Partners. He is the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers (with Guggenheim) as well as the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Chelsea FC of the English Premier League, the Cadillac Formula 1 racing team (as well as other auto racing teams) and the Professional Women's Hockey League. He bought a share of the Lakers in 2021 — 27% of the team from Philip Anschutz — and with that, he was given the first right of refusal should the Buss family choose to sell.
Magic Johnson, the Lakers legend and part-owner of the Dodgers (and often the face of that management team), told Lakers fans to celebrate.
Laker fans should be estatic. A few things I can tell you about Mark - he is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win! I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike -…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 18, 2025
Job well done to my sister Jeanie Buss for striking an incredible deal and picking the right person to carry on the @Lakers legacy and tradition of winning - Mark Walter, my business partner and friend! Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 18, 2025
What Walter has shown with the Dodgers is a willingness to spend. While the NBA salary cap structure — especially now with its luxury tax aprons — is not going to allow Walter to buy players in quite the same way he has with the Dodgers, there are certainly places he can spend off the court such as the scouting mentioned above. The Lakers do not own Crypto.com Arena — AEG, the Anschutz Entertainment Group run by Philip Anschutz does, and he also owns the NHL's Kings — but have a lease that runs through 2041.
Lakers selling majority ownership of franchise to Dodgers owner
The Los Angeles Lakers, a family-run business since Jerry Buss purchased the franchise in 1979, will be sold to Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter and TWG Global, according to multiple people briefed on the deal.
The deal is expected to occur with the Lakers’ valuation being about $10 billion — a record for a professional sports franchise.
Walter will now lead the city’s two premier professional sports teams.
Control of the Lakers went into a family trust after Buss died in 2013, with daughter Jeanie Buss operating as the team’s governor. The structure of the trust meant the majority of Buss’ six children — Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, Janie, Joey and Jess — would need to agree for a sale to occur.
The Lakers didn’t respond to requests for comment.
The sale was viewed as a massive surprise in NBA circles.
Read more:Lakers will be looking for bargain deals when offseason gets here
Jeanie Buss reportedly will remain governor under the terms of the sale. All controlling governors representing teams in league meetings need to own at least 15% of the franchise to serve. The Buss family owned 66%.
The sale will end family-run control of the Lakers, who have achieved incredible success — 11 NBA championships earned by some of the league’s most iconic figures, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James — under Buss and his children’s leadership.
“I know that my sister Jeanie would have only considered selling the Lakers organization to someone she knows and trusts would carry on the Buss legacy, started by her father Dr. Buss. Now she can comfortably pass the baton to Mark Walter, with whom she has a real friendship and can trust,” Magic Johnson wrote in a post on X.
“She’s witnessed him build a winning team with the Dodgers and knows that Mark will do right by the Lakers team, organization, and fans! Both are extremely intelligent, visionaries, great leaders, and have positively impacted the greater Los Angeles community! I love both my sister @JeanieBuss and my business partner Mark Walter.”
In March, Bill Chisholm purchased the Boston Celtics from Wyc Grousbeck for $6.1 billion. Mark Cuban sold his control of the Dallas Mavericks late in 2023 for $3.5 billion.
And earlier that year, Marc Lasry sold the Milwaukee Bucks for $3.5 billion. Grousbeck and Cuban were two of Jeanie Buss’ closest confidantes among league ownership.
Walter and Todd Boehly became the Lakers’ largest minority shareholders in 2021 when they bought 27% of the franchise — a stake previously held by Phil Anschutz.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful and admired franchises in sports history,” Walter said in a news release at the time. “I have watched the organization grow under Jeanie’s leadership and couldn’t be more excited to partner with her and the entire management team. I am committed to supporting the franchise’s iconic status by continuing to bring together culture, community and entertainment to Lakers’ fans.”
Walter was a relatively anonymous billionaire in 2012, when Johnson and Stan Kasten were the marquee partners in the purchase of of the Dodgers for $2 billion, then the largest price paid for a Major League Baseball team.
Critics scoffed at the purchase price, but Walter and Boehly then negotiated a record $8.35-billion local television deal with Time Warner Cable. Sportico this year valued the Dodgers at $7.73 billion and estimated that they generated $1 billion in revenue last year, highlighted by the global economic boost they gained from signing Shohei Ohtani to a record $700-million contract.
The Dodgers also won the World Series last year, their second championship and fourth World Series appearance in the last eight years. In the 13 seasons since Walter and his group bought the Dodgers, the team has posted a winning record every year. In that same 13-season span, the Lakers have one championship, one NBA Finals appearance and six winning records.
After buying the Dodgers, Walter and Boehly explored buying AEG, the entertainment giant that owns the Kings and Crypto.com Arena. Walter subsequently bought the Sparks, invested in the Lakers and launched a professional women’s hockey league in which the championship trophy is called the Walter Cup.
If the Dodgers’ purchase is any indication, Walter might not make an immediate flurry of changes with the Lakers. After he bought the Dodgers, he retained general manager Ned Colletti through the 2014 season before replacing him with Andrew Friedman.
The beloved O'Malley family sold the Dodgers before the turn of the century, saying the economics of professional sports had exploded beyond the means of families with no other significant source of income.
Under Walter, the Dodgers have not only raised their payroll to record levels but invested heavily in areas that they believe help deliver a winner, from a vaunted analytics department to dietitians for their major and minor league players and expanded clubhouses with the latest in hydrotherapy. The owners also have invested more than $500 million into renovating Dodger Stadium, adding modern amenities to a 63-year-old ballpark.
The Lakers, whose minority owners include Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, are entering a critical moment in the franchise’s history. James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has a $53-million player option that he needs to either accept or decline by June 29. If he declines, he’d be an unrestricted free agent.
The team also is trying to sign Luka Doncic, who it acquired in a shocking trade last February, to a massive contract extension functionally making him the future face of the franchise. He’s eligible to sign an extension on Aug. 2.
Times staff writer Jack Harris contributed to this report.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Lakers to be sold to Dodgers owner at $10bn valuation, per reports
The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a $10bn valuation, ESPN reported on Wednesday, marking the end of an era for one of the NBA’s most influential families.
Mark Walter, the CEO and chair of holding company TWG Global, is set to take the majority ownership under the agreement, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania said in a post on X. Walter was already a minority owner in the Lakers and is also primary owner and chair of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.
Related: Thunder move one win from franchise’s first NBA title in 46 years after holding off Pacers
The Lakers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The late Jerry Buss bought the Lakers in 1979 and turned it into one of the most popular and valuable franchises in all of professional sports, winning five championships during their now-iconic “Showtime” era in the 1980s.
His daughter, Jeanie Buss, took over as principal owner after Jerry Buss died in 2013, making her one of the most powerful women in sports. The modern-day Lakers have continued to attract big stars with mixed success, including recently with LeBron James, with whom the team won the 2020 NBA title. This year, the team swung a blockbuster trade for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić.
Jeanie Buss will stay on as governor after the sale, Charania reported.
Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton on Game 6: ‘I want to play. I'm going to do everything in my power to play.’
INDIANAPOLIS — It's no secret where Tyrese Haliburton stands on Game 6 of the NBA Finals, with his team down 3-2.
"I'm a competitor; I want to play. I'm going to do everything in my power to play," Haliburton said.
Whether the Pacers will allow him to play through a left calf strain — confirmed by an MRI, Haliburton said — and how well he plays will go a long way in determining if the Pacers will play in a Game 7 or watch the Thunder celebrate a championship on their court Thursday night.
Most likely, Haliburton plays. He was not limping and looked good putting up a few shots at the end of the Pacers' practice Wednesday, but that was a low-key affair.
"He participated in all our walk-through stuff. But it's a walk-through, so there was no real running," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We'll see. We'll see where we are tomorrow. It's a topic that people want to hear about and know about. There's going to be a lot of questions about it.
"We will not really know for sure until late tomorrow afternoon or early evening."
"We're preparing as if he is playing," the Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein said of his team's mindset.
As seen in the fourth quarter of Game 5, Haliburton has to do more than just physically be on the court, he has to be enough of a threat to warp the Thunder defense. Expect more Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, each taking on some additional playmaking duties.
To be ready to play, Haliburton said he has been undergoing around-the-clock treatment.
"Massage, needles, hyperbaric, H waves. Everything you can do to get as comfortable as you can going into it," Haliburton said, adding he is just following the instructions of the team's medical staff. "The right tape and stuff while I am performing."
If this were the regular season, a Grade 1 calf strain usually means 7-10 days of recovery (we don't officially know the grade of strain). The concern is both the players' ability to move on the court, and that the calf muscle is a key support of the Achilles tendon and some ligaments. Haliburton owned up to understanding the risks but wants to be out on the court in Game 6. Carlisle said that, if in consultation with the medical staff, they felt they needed to protect Haliburton from himself and not let him play, they would.
Haliburton recognized that if this were January, he'd have sat out some games.
"Probably. I mean, it would probably be the case. We're not in the regular season, so…" Haliburton said. "It is what it is."
It is the Pacers' season on the line, and Haliburton plans to be on the court.
Buss family to sell Los Angeles Lakers to owner of Dodgers
Buss family to sell Los Angeles Lakers to owner of Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO of TWG Global and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources familiar with the deal told NBCLA on Wednesday.
The deal, first reported by ESPN, has a valuation of about $10 billion, a source told NBCLA.
Walter is part of the ownership of other sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Chelsea FC of the English Premier League and several auto racing teams.
NBCLA has reached out to the Dodgers organization for comment.
Jeanie Buss, who took over the Lakers after the death of her father Dr. Jerry Buss, will continue to serve as the team’s governor after the sale, an indication that the Buss family’s long history with the Lakers will continue.
The Buss family has owned the Lakers since 1979 when the late Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for $67.5 million in 1979.
Magic Johnson, who led the Lakers’ “Showtime” era, took to social media and said Laker fans should be “ecstatic” about the new ownership, calling Walter “the best choice” and “best caretaker of the Lakers.”
“(Mark Walter) is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win!” Johnson said.
Laker fans should be estatic. A few things I can tell you about Mark – he is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win! I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike -…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 18, 2025
CNBC Media and Sports Reporter Alex Sherman agreed that having Walters with “deep pockets” will be beneficial for the Lakers franchise.
“He’s clearly willing to spend money on the Dodgers,” Sherman said, especially with the looming reality of LeBron James’ retirement. “If LeBron retires at some point, they’ll be obviously be in the market again for a marquee free agent to replace him.
“Having someone like Mark Walter in that chair, I think Lakers fans can rest easy, realizing the money is going to be no object,” Sherman explained,
This blockbuster deal will be the most expensive franchise sales in sports history after the Boston Celtics in March of 2025 were sold to William Chisholm, a lifelong fan, for a $6.1 billion valuation.
The Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, one less than the Boston Celtics for the most championships in league history. (18)
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Arkansas’ 2025-26 SEC basketball opponents announced
Steve Roberts-Imagn Images The Southeastern Conference released the men's basketball home and away conference opponents for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday. Arkansas will take on Auburn, LSU and Missouri twice, once at home and once on the road.
Bobby Marks: D-White trade would command ‘Desmond Bane-plus' offer
Bobby Marks: D-White trade would command ‘Desmond Bane-plus' offer originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics will be forced to make some tough decisions this summer to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If they want to accomplish that feat while maximizing their return, they could look to trade beloved guard Derrick White.
Boston must shed roughly $20 million in salary to get under the second apron threshold, and White will cost $28.1 million for the 2025-26 season. Although White played a critical role in the 2024 championship run and remains a key contributor, the Celtics could get an offer they can’t refuse. Judging by Sunday’s Desmond Bane deal, a White trade would bring a massive haul to Boston.
The Memphis Grizzlies traded Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a future pick swap. According to ESPN’s NBA front office insider and former Brooklyn Nets general manager Bobby Marks, it may take even more than that to pry White from the C’s this offseason.
“I think it would have to be a Desmond Bane-plus type offer,” Marks said of a potential White trade on NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’season special. “I love Derrick White. Every team needs a Derrick White. I think his salary is really good at four (years) for 118 (million). I think he provides tremendous value for you. I think if you did a Jrue (Holiday) trade, you’re probably sliding him. He’s probably gonna play on the ball a little bit more.
“It’s hard for me because I do think you have to have high-level players around. Jayson (Tatum) is gonna return eventually, and he’s gonna return probably better than he was, that you still have to have high-level players still around him.”
That doesn’t sound like someone convinced a White deal will go down this summer. Trading Holiday, on the other hand, seems like a strong possibility. Marks mentioned the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks as potential fits for the 35-year-old guard.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Celtics would prefer not to trade White or fellow star Jaylen Brown but are listening to offers on both players. For what it’s worth, NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine said there’s “no way in hell” White isn’t on the team next season and beyond.
Last season, White notched career-highs in points (16.4) and rebounds per game (4.5) while breaking the Celtics’ single-season record for 3-pointers made. He earned All-Defensive nods with Boston in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Watch the full episode of The Off C’season with Marks, Chris Forsberg, Kevin O’Connor, and Drew Carter below:
Buss family to sell Los Angeles Lakers to owner of Dodgers
Buss family to sell Los Angeles Lakers to owner of Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO of TWG Global and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources familiar with the deal told NBCLA on Wednesday.
The deal, first reported by ESPN, has a valuation of about $10 billion, a source told NBCLA.
Walter is part of the ownership of other sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, Chelsea FC of the English Premier League and several auto racing teams.
NBCLA has reached out to the Dodgers organization for comment.
Jeanie Buss, who took over the Lakers after the death of her father Dr. Jerry Buss, will continue to serve as the team’s governor after the sale, an indication that the Buss family’s long history with the Lakers will continue.
The Buss family has owned the Lakers since 1979 when the late Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for $67.5 million in 1979.
Magic Johnson, who led the Lakers’ “Showtime” era, took to social media and said Laker fans should be “ecstatic” about the new ownership, calling Walter “the best choice” and “best caretaker of the Lakers.”
“(Mark Walter) is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win!” Johnson said.
Laker fans should be estatic. A few things I can tell you about Mark – he is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win! I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike -…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 18, 2025
CNBC Media and Sports Reporter Alex Sherman agreed that having Walters with “deep pockets” will be beneficial for the Lakers franchise.
“He’s clearly willing to spend money on the Dodgers,” Sherman said, especially with the looming reality of LeBron James’ retirement. “If LeBron retires at some point, they’ll be obviously be in the market again for a marquee free agent to replace him.
“Having someone like Mark Walter in that chair, I think Lakers fans can rest easy, realizing the money is going to be no object,” Sherman explained,
This blockbuster deal will be the most expensive franchise sales in sports history after the Boston Celtics in March of 2025 were sold to William Chisholm, a lifelong fan, for a $6.1 billion valuation.
The Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, one less than the Boston Celtics for the most championships in league history. (18)
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Celtics draft fits: Should C's trade up in first round for Cedric Coward?
Celtics draft fits: Should C's trade up in first round for Cedric Coward? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics aren’t scheduled to pick until late in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean good players won’t be available.
Boston currently owns the No. 28 overall selection. Most drafts, especially in recent years, have produced real talent at the end of the first round and early second round.
For example, the Indiana Pacers selected Andrew Nembhard with the No. 31 overall pick (first pick in Round 2) in 2022. He quickly emerged as a key starter for the Pacers and a huge reason why they’re in the NBA Finals right now.
Cam Thomas (No. 27) and Herb Jones (No. 35) were steals in the 2021 draft, and so was Jaden McDaniels (No. 28) in 2020.
Even though there’s typically talent in this range at the end of the first round, would it make sense for the Celtics to try to trade up in Round 1?
More Celtics Draft Fits:
- Ryan Kalkbrenner
- Thomas Sorber
- Adou Thiero
- Rasheer Fleming
- Liam McNeeley
- Walter Clayton Jr.
- Asa Newell
- Nique Clifford
- Chaz Lanier
- Koby Brea
- Maxime Raynaud
One player in the 2025 draft class who might be worth trading up for if he falls a bit is Washington State guard Cedric Coward. Coward was going to transfer to Duke before declaring for the draft. Based on mock drafts, he is projected to go anywhere from the late lottery to the mid-20s in the first round.
And according to HoopsHype, Coward is one of the players the Celtics have worked out ahead of the draft.
Learn more about Coward and his potential fit with the C’s below:
Cedric Coward’s bio
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-foot-6
- Weight: 206 pounds
- Birthdate: Sept. 11, 2003
- Birthplace: Fresno, California
- College: Washington State
Cedric Coward’s collegiate stats
- 2024-25 (w/Washington State): 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 55.7 field goal percentage (six games)
- 2023-24 (w/Eastern Washington): 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 56.5 field goal percentage (32 games)
- 2022-23 (w/Eastern Washington): 7.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 68.3 field goal percentage (34 games)
Cedric Coward’s college accolades
- 2024 Big Sky first team All-Conference
Cedric Coward’s highlights
Why Cedric Coward fits with Celtics
Coward has good length with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and plenty of athleticism. He shot 38.3 percent or better from 3-point range in each of the last three seasons, including a career-high 40 percent rate for the Cougars last season (six games).
The fact that he’s risen from Division III basketball to a potential lottery pick over the last three years is pretty impressive. He just keeps getting better and better.
Coward could be an effective 3-and-D player for the Celtics.
“Coward was set to transfer to Duke, but he elected to stay in the draft after a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine in May,” our Celtics insider Chris Forsberg says in the video player above. “His only season at Washington State was limited to six games due to a shoulder injury, but he shot around 40 percent from deep in that small sample and his two prior college seasons at Eastern Washington.
“Having not played against elite competition, there is a question about how his game will translate to the pro level, but he has an NBA-ready frame. If the Celtics identify his traits as a match, they might have to move up from No. 28 to land him.”
NBA mock draft roundup: The latest projections for Sixers with draft a week away
NBA mock draft roundup: The latest projections for Sixers with draft a week away originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The NBA draft’s first round is exactly one week away.
Here’s our third mock draft roundup for the Sixers, who hold the No. 3 pick and have high-stakes decisions ahead:
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Givony: “Edgecombe takes over this spot from Ace Bailey in ESPN’s mock draft after a positive visit to Philadelphia, where sources say he made a strong impression in a private workout as well as in meetings with the front office and ownership. He appears to be ‘the leader in the clubhouse’ currently, with Bailey losing momentum after refusing to visit, initially unsatisfied with his search for a proven pathway to development. However, Bailey is scheduled to work out in Philadelphia at the end of this week, and we’ll see if he’s able to sway the tides in his favor.
“… Surrounding the hyper-explosive Edgecombe with prolific 3-point shooters such as Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes and Paul George could add another dimension to the Sixers’ offense, especially if the team buys into the development of his passing ability long term.”
NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark reported Bailey is set to meet with Sixers executives Thursday and have a private workout with the team Friday. Throughout the pre-draft process, there’s been an array of opinions on the 18-year-old’s game and potential.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Wasserman: “VJ Edgecombe versus Ace Bailey has been a debate all season long. Fit could potentially give Edgecombe the edge or tie-breaker for Philadelphia, as he’d give the lineup different/needed elements of explosion, defensive quickness and feel compared to Bailey.
“Rival teams think the Sixers could be more drawn to Edgecombe’s athleticism and superior analytics, as well as his encouraging shooting development. He averaged the same amount of three-point makes as Bailey, who was supposed to be much further ahead in that department.”
Edgecombe and Bailey’s bottom-line three-point numbers were indeed very similar. Bailey went 47 for 136 beyond the arc (34.6 percent) and Edgecombe was 52 for 153 (34 percent).
NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin, Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
Johnson: “In the eyes of many, the draft begins with the 76ers at No. 3. While Philadelphia may move down in the draft, staying put could net the team an attractive piece for the future. Rutgers’ Ace Bailey is a possibility, but so is the ultra-athletic Edgecombe, who would provide a dimension the current 76ers’ perimeter rotation lacks. The 6-foot-5 guard does not need the ball in his hands to be impactful on offense, and defensively, he’s a high-level competitor. Edgecombe does need to become a more efficient offensive player, but Philadelphia has the talent to compensate for that.”
Vecenie has the Sixers making two first-round deals: “The Sixers trade No. 3 and Andre Drummond to the Hornets for No. 4 and No. 33; the Sixers then trade No. 4 and Eric Gordon to the Wizards for No. 6 and No. 18.”
He’s got the team taking Duke wing Kon Knueppel at No. 6 and Michigan center Danny Wolf at No. 18.
Vecenie: “Philly is both bringing in top prospects for workouts and seeing what’s available on the market. The Sixers are looking to contend now, but league sources say they wish to bridge the gap between eras of players on their roster and potentially provide cheaper production. If someone comes in and blows their doors off, maybe they keep the pick. If not, they have options.
“With these two trades, they end up with No. 6, No. 18, No. 33 and get off the Drummond and Gordon deals as they look to re-sign Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele. It’s not a massive haul, but it’s extremely helpful. And at No. 6, they get the guy I’d have at the top of their board at No. 3 in Knueppel, a bigger shooter who is competitive and tough. He has a case as the best shooter in the class along with (Tre) Johnson, and his overall game was more impactful this season. He also has more ball skills than you think, especially in ball screens, and was better defensively than he got credit for being. He gives them more roster flexibility and versatility off the bench, as I think he can play the two and three fairly easily.”
Knueppel wasn’t miles off a 50/40/90 freshman season for Duke; he shot 47.9 percent from the floor, 40.6 percent from three-point range and 91.4 percent from the foul line. Wolf’s a skilled big man who posted 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last year.
O’Connor also projects the Sixers to move down in the draft: “Sixers send the third pick and Kelly Oubre (player option) to the Pelicans for the seventh pick, a 2026 Pacers 1st (top-4 protected) and Herb Jones.”
At No. 7, the Sixers go with Duke center Khaman Maluach in Yahoo’s latest mock.
O’Connor: “Trading down would solve a lot of issues: pick up an additional asset or two (an elite defender in Herb Jones plus one future first in this case) while just moving down for a player the Sixers might want to take with the third pick anyway. … Maluach is capable of erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. These skills would make him an intriguing fit alongside Joel Embiid early in his career in double-big lineups. Plus he could serve as a backup too. Beyond dunking lobs, he’s a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. But he displays a shooting touch that hints at a much higher upside, not too different than Embiid when he entered the NBA. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13.”
Outside of Al Horford’s single season in Philadelphia, the Sixers have not regularly rolled out two-big units with Embiid. If they drafted Maluach, we imagine the idea would be hoping the 18-year-old can contribute some in the present, especially in the event Embiid’s left knee troubles continue, and grow into a strong center of the future.
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Boone: “I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if Philly considers other players here such as VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson or Kon Knueppel. But most view the draft dropping off in talent *after* Bailey — even if his prospect profile is a bit more volatile than others. He’s a big wing and talented shot-maker with tremendous size and athleticism.”
Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper headline 19 players invited to 2025 NBA Draft green room
The NBA has invited 19 players to the green room for the 2025 NBA Draft next week, June 25 and 26.
These are players expected to be drafted in the first round — the NBA surveys team front offices before choosing whom to invite to the green room. Still, there is a risk of a player from this list falling down the board, which can get awkward.
Here are the 19 players known to be invited, via Jonathan Givony of ESPN (in alphabetical order):
• Ace Bailey
• Carter Bryant
• Egor Demin
• VJ Edgecombe
• Noa Essengue
• Jeremiah Fears
• Cooper Flagg
• Dylan Harper
• Kasparas Jakucionis
• Tre Johnson
• Kon Knueppel
• Khaman Maluach
• Liam McNeeley
• Collin Murray-Boyles
• Asa Newell
• Derik Queen
• Will Riley
• Thomas Sorber
• Nolan Traore
Five more players could get invites, according to Givony.
Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are the clear No. 1 and No. 2 picks in this draft, but then things open up with potential trades and differing opinions on players.
Pacers to trade No. 23 pick in this year's NBA draft, Mojave King to Pelicans for 2026 first-rounder
Rarely do teams make any kind of trade while they are in the NBA Finals — the whole organization is obsessively focused on the games (and you can't trade players while in the Finals, anyway).
However, the Indiana Pacers did a nifty little bit of work during the Finals, agreeing to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and later confirmed by the teams. The Pacers are sending the No. 23 pick in this year's NBA draft and the rights to Mojave King to the Pelicans in exchange for returning the rights to Indiana's own 2026 first-rounder.
Full trade details: pic.twitter.com/TZUKqPY8zt
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) June 17, 2025
The Pacers had traded their 2026 pick to Toronto as part of the Pascal Siakam trade. The Raptors then traded the pick to the Pelicans in the Brandon Ingram trade.
The Pelicans now hold the No. 7 and No. 23 picks in this draft, which they could package in trades to move up in the draft or acquire another player. Or, New Orleans could use the picks to add depth to their roster. The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Mojave King in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft and is currently playing in New Zealand.
This was a clever play by the Pacers.
The Pacers gain about $3.2 million in cap space by not having to pay the No. 23 pick, putting them almost $20 million below the luxury tax line. Indiana plans to re-sign Myles Turner this summer, likely for around $30 million a year, and while ownership reportedly is willing to go into the tax to do it this lessens the tax blow a little.
Also, with control of their own 2026 pick, the Pacers now have four first-round picks they can trade this offseason, if they choose.
DLo shares unique mentality that makes Steph his favorite NBA player
DLo shares unique mentality that makes Steph his favorite NBA player originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
There are several reasons why Warriors superstar Steph Curry is one of the greatest players to have graced the NBA.
While shooting usually is the first thing people think of when it comes to the 3-point king, his former teammate D’Angelo Russell revealed a conversation he had with Draymond Green that enlightened him on just how versatile Curry’s greatness truly is.
Green challenged Russell with one direct question: Do you know why Steph Curry is one of the best players ever?
His shooting? Handles? Conditioning? His off-the-court leadership? No, no, no, and no.
“When you watch all the other stars in the league, they look at the refs, they talk to the refs, they complain to the refs and then they go down the floor and that conversation they had may have dictated the next one,” Russell recalled his conversation with Green on “The Backyard Podcast with D’Angelo Russell.”
“Steph don’t do that at all. Steph plays the game with this, ‘I don’t need the refs’ mentality. And when you look around the league, who’s doing that? That’s why he gets so much credit. That’s why he’s my favorite player and that’s why I respect him so much. When [Green] broke it down to me like that, I was just like, bro, that’s powerful.”
Curry, frustratingly to him, his teammates and Warriors fans, has been one of the few big-name players in the league not to receive the “superstar whistle” over his 16 NBA seasons.
His teammates and coaches have spoken about it to defend the two-time NBA MVP, with even new Warriors teammate Jimmy Butler, just two months into their partnership, openly discussing how much it infuriates him.
“I’ve never seen an individual get fouled more than he gets fouled,” Butler said on April 6. “To me, I think that’s astounding. But, you know, it’s crazy to say but he’s used to it. It’s been happening to him his whole career, and he’s found a way through it, around it, under it, whatever you want to call it – that’s tough.
“I’m pretty sure it’s been happening for 16 straight years. I get to see it, and it really angers me that he’s on my team and he gets hacked like that.”
A few days later, Green shared on his podcast that he believes Curry’s lack of foul calls partly is his own fault because “he’s not a flopper” and the officials know Curry won’t argue.
Curry also called the situation his “reality” as he’s set to enter Year 17.
And even without the friendly whistle, Curry certainly has still made his impact on the game forever.
Warriors have unique, checkered history with No. 41 overall NBA draft pick
Warriors have unique, checkered history with No. 41 overall NBA draft pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Adding Jimmy Butler clearly was worth the Warriors not having a first-round pick for a second straight NBA draft.
The Miami Heat might find a nice prospect at No. 20 overall. He might even contribute as a rookie and have a solid season. The rookie also won’t be Butler, and for sure not in Year 1.
In last year’s inaugural two-day draft, the Warriors went into the second day with the No. 52 overall pick. The selection then took a long and winding route to ultimately become Warriors center Quinten Post.
General manager Mike Dunleavy, on the morning of the second round, traded the pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for shooting guard Lindy Waters III. The Thunder then sent the pick to the Portland Trail Blazers before the Warriors bought it back hours later to select Post. It was the first time the Warriors owned the No. 52 pick since drafting Ognjen Kuzmic in 2012, and Post already looks like he’ll have a more successful Golden State career than Kuzmic ever did, even though he is technically a 2015 champion.
The Warriors went 12 years between having the No. 52 overall pick. The franchise had the pick twice before in 1962 and 1964, but neither selection ever played in the NBA. They have a more recent history with their pick this year at No. 41, seven years more recent, and have held the pick just twice before this draft – with each pick having its own unique team history.
His playing career was best known for making the game-winning shot in the 1987 NCAA championship game, but Warriors fans would get to know Keith Smart the coach years later. Smart was taken by the Warriors in the second round of the 1988 draft, one year after that historic and heroic shot for Indiana. He never was really a Warrior as a player, though.
Golden State waived Smart not even four months after the draft, a few weeks ahead of the season. The San Antonio Spurs picked Smart up two days later, and his career lasted a total of two games, 12 minutes and two points scored. Smart never did play again in the NBA, yet he didn’t walk away that quickly. His playing career continued for years in a handful of obscure leagues.
He immediately jumped into coaching, first for the Fort Wayne Fury of the CBA from 1997 to 2000, when Smart made his way back to the NBA. Smart spent three seasons as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, including 40 as an interim head coach to finish the season in 2003. The Cavs went 9-31 under him, and Smart joined Eric Musselman’s Warriors staff the next season.
Smart remained an assistant under Mike Montgomery and Don Nelson. He was on staff for some of the more wild Warriors seasons, witnessed the craziness of the “We Believe” squad and his final season as an assistant was Steph Curry’s rookie year. Smart, before training camp of Curry’s second season, took over for Don Nelson as head coach.
As an assistant, Smart lasted seven years with the Warriors. He wasn’t as fortunate with the head coach label. The Warriors’ record improved by 10 wins in 2010-11 to 36-46, but in came a new ownership group led by Joe Lacob, and out went Smart’s near decade in Oakland.
Smart moved on to be an assistant for the Sacramento Kings, where he also was head coach for another 141 games over two seasons. He had a lowly 48-93 record, and has since been an assistant for the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks and the University of Arkansas. This past high school season he became the head coach of Utah Prep to coach top recruit AJ Dybantsa.
Curry and Draymond Green, like always, were in Steve Kerr’s starting five to open the 2019-20 season. So were D’Angelo Russell, Glenn Robinson III and Kevon Looney. Looney is a fan favorite and three-time champion. The other two feel like trivia questions.
Kevin Durant was gone. Klay Thompson’s season already was over before it ever began after sustaining a torn ACL in the NBA Finals. Curry’s season essentially ended when he broke his hand in the fourth game, and just like that, the Warriors were at the bottom of basketball after five straight trips to the Finals and three titles.
The team’s tough luck was a perfect opportunity for someone like Eric Paschall. He was a four-year player before the pros and spent five years in college, like the majority of the prospects the Warriors are working out for the 2025 draft. Paschall was ready to contribute, not potential that was a work in progress. The Warriors lost his debut by almost 20 points, but Paschall scored 14 points off the bench.
Paschall scored 20 points in his first start, which was just his fourth NBA game. He came off the bench in the next game and then returned to the starting lineup, where he scored 25 points and then 34 points. Paschall averaged 14 points as a rookie, had two 30-point games, scored at least 20 points 13 times and was named All-Rookie First Team.
Since then, Paschall played another 40 games with the Warriors and 98 overall in the NBA. He was traded by the Warriors to the Utah Jazz in the summer of 2021, and he only 5.8 points in 58 games for his new team. Kerr wanted Paschall to learn from Green and model his game after PJ Tucker. Paschall saw himself as a scorer who could put up 20 a night, and has talked about his struggles playing next to Curry.
Now, he hasn’t played an NBA game in more than three seasons. Paschall averaged 10 points per game in Italy last season.
With a two-year window of Curry, Green and Butler, would the Warriors take a First Team All-Rookie player with their one pick this year? Certainly. They’d also love for those stats to mean a little more than they did for Paschall, and for the party to have a happier ending in a Warriors jersey.