Category: Basketball

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As the basketball world awaits LeBron James' free-agency decision, NBA championship odds show which of his potential suitors have the best chance to win next season's title.

Key Takeaways

• The Golden State Warriors are the betting favorites to land James.
  
  
• Of all teams linked to the superstar, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers have the best title odds.
  
  
• The Lakers fell to +4,500 in odds after it was announced James would be departing.

James and the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed the end of their eight-year tenure Tuesday, when free-agent negotiations are allowed to begin. This marks the fourth time that James is leaving his team, following stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10 and 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), and the Lakers (2018-26).

News of James’ departure sent the Lakers plummeting to +4,500 in FanDuel's odds to win the NBA Finals - good for just 14th in the league.

Reports suggest the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cavaliers, and Heat could be interested in his services.

"I'm told this is a happiness-led decision for LeBron James. ... Wherever he lands in free agency, it will not be driven by money."@ShamsCharania joins @malika_andrews with more details about LeBron James' decision to not play with the Lakers next season. pic.twitter.com/nvWxbAyZiw

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 30, 2026

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski also noted that James has been a long-time supporter of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards, with whom he won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

The betting favorite in LeBron James’ next team odds, the Warriors, supposedly have the strongest interest in acquiring the 41-year-old. James also reportedly has an interest in playing with former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. 

Even if verbal agreements made over the next week, nothing can become contractually binding until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Finals odds for potential suitors

The general assumption is that James will play for a team that has a real chance of securing him a fifth championship of his soon-to-be-24-year career. 

Among the teams linked to James, the Timberwolves and Cavs have the shortest title odds at +2,200. Those odds still only carry a 4.4% implied chance, albeit without James being counted on their rosters.

One of James’ former teams, the Heat, is close behind at +2,700 odds (3.6% chance) following their trade acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. James won back-to-back titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013.

The Warriors are immediately behind the Heat at +3,000 (3.2% chance). They were crowned NBA champs as recently as 2022.

The Wizards, a largely unexpected team that could be in the mix, have the longest odds among James' apparent suitors at +25,000 (0.4% chance). They just selected AJ Dybantsa with the first pick in the NBA draft, but they also have Anthony Davis on their roster as a means of possibly enticing James to sign on.

Tough road to title No. 5

Among NBA champions since 2015-16, the 2018-19 Raptors had the longest preseason odds, opening at +1,850, according to Sports Odds History. There are only four teams with odds shorter than that at the time of writing: the Oklahoma City Thunder (+270), San Antonio Spurs (+270), Boston Celtics (+700), and New York Knicks (+850), none of which have been linked to James.

James’ worst opening title odds in the last decade were assigned before the 2024-25 season, when his Lakers were only +2,500 (3.9% chance).

The Lakers’ +1,400 odds at this time one year ago would rank fifth among all teams presently.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Austin Reaves has improved every year and is a wonderful success story not just for the Lakers, but for every undrafted player.

Thanks to his improved play each season, he was set for a big payday. While it was reported that the Lakers negotiated hard with Reaves, in the end, he agreed to a four-year, $185 million deal.

This makes Reaves a max player and the clear No. 2 for the franchise. Retaining him was always the best-case scenario, but did they nail the contract?

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask fans if the Lakers got the signing right when you look beyond the sticker price.

With reports indicating the Pistons were interested in offering Reaves a deal, perhaps all that matters is re-signing him and whatever that number ended up at is fine. After all, he is a max-level player and even if the ideal contract would be more team-friendly, players at Reaves’ level usually get paid what they want.

So, if that’s how fans are feeling, grading this as an A or a B is fair.

However, if you are skeptical that Reaves can truly be the No.2 without LeBron James on the Lakers to carry him when he falls, then maybe the deal isn’t one you like.

Not only did Reaves get a max contract, but he also has a player option for the final year. So, if it turns out he’s on a bad deal, he’ll likely opt in that summer, and LA will be stuck with the estimated $51.1 million bill. If he outplays that contract, he can opt out and get an even larger raise with the Lakers or another team.

It’s an interesting conversation, and we won’t actually know if it was a good contract for a couple of years. But what are your initial thoughts? Let us know by answering the poll above and leaving a comment below.

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

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The Lakers weren't the only team shifting the NBA landscape today. Right alongside the massive LeBron James fallout across town, the Clippers completely shook up the NBA championship odds by shipping Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto for a highly anticipated second stint with the Raptors.

While the Clippers reload with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a hefty haul of future draft picks, Toronto resets its deck for an all-out title push. By leaning back into their 2019 championship blueprint, the Raptors are injecting instant drama into the Eastern Conference hierarchy, laying down a direct challenge to the New York Knicks.

Despite that aspect, this move has increased the Raptors' NBA championship odds to 6% (+1566), but where does that slot them among other contenders?

Let's take a look.

NBA Championship odds 2026-27

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of Covers' most trusted prediction market apps.

Raptors NBA title odds at a glance

At 35 years old, Kawhi’s degenerative knee issues and chronic ankle sprains mean his availability is a permanent question mark. Even though he’s coming off a highly productive All-NBA campaign with the Clippers (averaging 27.9 PPG in 65 games), history shows he requires intensive load management just to make it to April intact.

Kawhi is entering the final year of his contract, carrying a massive $50.3 million cap hit. He is reportedly seeking a long-term contract extension beyond this season — something the Clippers refused to offer. Giving up premium foundational assets like Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks for an aging, injury-prone superstar on an expiring contract could easily backfire if his health falters.

But rumors indicate that Leonard is highly receptive to the move and is open to signing an extension that would allow him to finish his career where he won his second Finals MVP. Returning to Canada wouldn't just be a temporary rental like 2018; it would be a definitive commitment to play out his remaining elite years and retire in a Raptors uniform.

"This is a real, balance-of-power shifting trade. This is the first major transaction that has changed the balance of power."@WindhorstESPN says the Raptors are ready to contend after trading for Kawhi Leonard 👀 pic.twitter.com/KYLK0IPNri

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 30, 2026

Raptors projected starting lineup

Kawhi Leonard gives Toronto a terrifyingly well-rounded core alongside Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes. Throw in the versatility of sophomore breakout Collin Murray-Boyles at small-ball center, and the Raptors instantly position themselves to hunt for a top seed in the East.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Blazers are keeping their big man.

Center Robert Williams III is staying in Portland, agreeing to a three-year, $44 million extension to remain with the Trail Blazers, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The extension will keep him in Portland through the 2028-29 season.

Williams, 28, has dealt with injury issues throughout his career, having only played over 50 games in a season three times. This past season, Williams played in 59 games and appeared in all five of Portland’s first-round playoff games against San Antonio.

He averaged 6.7 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season and shot over 70 percent from the floor.

Williams has been one of the best rim protectors in the NBA for much of his career, despite his injury history. For his career, he has a 72 percent field goal percentage and has averaged 1.6 blocks per game.

Even before this season, Williams had extensive postseason experience. He spent the first five years of his career in Boston and made six starts in the 2022 NBA Finals, where the Celtics fell to the Warriors.

Rumors had been flying around that Boston would be interested in a potential reunion with Williams, but after making their desire to keep Williams clear, the Blazers locked him down for the next three years.

Alongside Williams, centers Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen are under contract and will return to Portland next season.

Portland has been active this offseason. Last week, it hired former Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori to be its next head coach, replacing interim coach Tiago Splitter after he was hired by Chicago.

The Blazers also reportedly agreed to trade Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for Ja Morant.

The Kawhi Leonard era is over in Los Angeles.

A deal to send the seven-time NBA All-Star forward back to Toronto, where he won his second NBA title, has been finalized, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The trade — which will net the Clippers All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks — marks the end of another promising-but-empty chapter in the franchise’s ringless history.

Leonard, a Moreno Valley native who won his first title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, joined his hometown Clippers as a highly coveted free agent in 2019 after leading Toronto to its first championship in a classic one-and-done season.

“The front office was very transparent, they want to win,” Leonard said at his introductory Clippers news conference on July 24, 2019. “Just the opportunity for us to build our own, to make history — they haven’t been to a final, haven’t won a final — that was something big and exciting for me to make my decision.”

The Raptors were in the same championship-less boat before Leonard saved them. The Clippers, meanwhile, are still trying to get over the hump.

Read more:Plaschke: Clippers' Kawhi Leonard was the worst free-agent signing in L.A. history

Leonard averaged 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals over six seasons with the Clippers and was selected to four All-Star teams, four All-NBA teams and two All-Defensive teams. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points while playing 65 games last season.

Yet most will only remember that Leonard’s tenure in the City of Angels netted zero Larry O’Brien trophies and instead plenty of load management and one ongoing salary cap circumvention investigation. The Clippers, of course, have been accused of paying Leonard $28 million through an endorsement deal with bankrupt sustainability company Aspiration.

Whether there was salary cap circumvention or not, L.A. truly went all-in on its latest bid to win a title to no avail, as encapsulated by the infamous Paul George-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deal that accompanied the launch of the Leonard era.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, Leonard, George and the era’s other big-name players were rarely healthy or at their peaks when the lights were brightest. And in Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to its first title and developed into a two-time league MVP, all before his 28th birthday.

Hindsight is 20/20.

The Clippers, though, did come as close to a ring as ever before, reaching the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021. However, Leonard tore an anterior cruciate ligament during that run and left L.A. and the NBA wondering “What if?” — the everlasting theme of Steve Ballmer’s ownership of the Clippers.

Leonard played at least 65 games just twice over his seven seasons in L.A. and missed the 2021-22 season entirely because of the ACL tear. The Clippers won only three playoff series with Leonard, with no series victories to show for over his final five seasons in L.A.

And in arguably the Clippers’ most healthy playoff run with Leonard — during the 2020 NBA bubble — L.A. blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, spoiling a matchup against the Lakers, the ultimate victors of the COVID-shortened season, in the conference finals.

The Clippers had their moments with Leonard, like when he posted a career-best and franchise-record 55 points against the Detroit Pistons in 2025.

If anything, the future Hall of Famer sure appeared to enjoy his time back home, which was a major reason why Leonard initially turned down a royal life in Canada to play for Southern California’s other team.

But it was ultimately time for the two parties to part ways. The Clippers’ window of contention closed a while ago, and Leonard — after turning 35 on Monday — is likely staring down his last shot at a third ring and a lengthy deal with the Raptors.

Besides free agency opening on Tuesday, the timing does add up for Leonard’s trade, as Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has steered the franchise through a refreshing youth movement over the past year.

“Yeah, plan’s still win with Kawhi,” Frank said last week. “But the bigger plan is — we understand we’re not a contender. We’re competitive. How are we going to get back to contention?”

During the 2025-26 season alone, L.A. sent a 40-year-old Chris Paul into retirement; traded 36-year-old guard James Harden to Cleveland for 26-year-old guard Darius Garland; traded 29-year-old center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, 24-year-old center Isaiah Jackson and 24-year-old guard Bennedict Mathurin; and liked what it saw from up-and-comers such as center Yanic Konan Niederhauser and guards Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller.

And just last week, the Clippers selected 19-year-old Illinois guard Keaton Wagler fifth overall in the draft — via the Zubac trade — instead of packaging the pick for a veteran star.

Read more:NBA draft: Clippers select Keaton Wagler at No. 5; AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1

“You can learn a lot. Like you said, he has a lot of experience,” Wagler said of possibly playing with Leonard. “He’s won championships and played in finals and won a lot of games and played a lot of seasons. Just being able to learn from him and see what it takes to become that caliber of a player.”

Presumably a bummer for Wagler, he and Leonard will not be teammates in L.A.

Leonard’s last game with the Clippers was symbolic of his tenure with the franchise. In a home play-in loss to the Warriors on April 15, L.A. led Golden State for most of that contest — and by as much as 13 — before Leonard and his running mates went cold late, ending their fun season early.

“Let me cry about this loss a little bit more,” Leonard said about his future with the Clippers after that blunder. “We’re going to have our discussions when that time comes.”

Staff writer Broderick Turner 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.

With the beginning of the NBA’s moratorium period less than 24 hours away, the Brooklyn Nets have officially made decisions on all of their club options.

Chaney Johnson will be back on a two-way contract, and Malachi Smith will be on the team’s training camp roster. Josh Minott and Day’Ron Sharpe, respectively, earned extensions, and Ziaire Williams, Jalen Wilson, and Ochai Agbagi are now unrestricted free agents, the likelhood of their return to Brooklyn at least in question.

According to one league source speaking with ND, the Nets have also declined to extend a QO — qualifying offer to Tyson Etienne, who spent the last two seasons with Brooklyn’s organization, played 24 NBA games last season, and became the Long Island Nets’ all-time leading scorer.

SOURCES: The #Nets did not extend a qualifying offer to Tyson Etienne, I’m told.

Etienne, 26, spent the past two seasons in Brooklyn's organization, appearing in 31 NBA games while becoming the Long Island Nets’ leading scorer.

A respected locker-room presence known for his… pic.twitter.com/jHYGYMi3SB

— Connor Long (@connor_long15) June 30, 2026

Etienne, set to turn 27 in December, appeared in 24 NBA games for Brooklyn last season (two starts), while averaging 7.9 points, 1.7 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 15.8 minutes while shooting 40% from the field and knocking down 39.8% of his 3-point attempts.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Etienne won’t be returning to Brooklyn, but they will not have his restricted rights.

Currently, the Nets have two of their three two-way spots occupied with Chaney Johnson and second-round rookie Tyler Bilodeau, both of whom will play in both summer leagues, the California Classic in Sacramento and the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The California Classic begins Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET. It will air on YES and the Gotham Sports Net.

Johnson, 24, played in 17 NBA games for Brooklyn last season (one start) and averaged 8.2 points, 1.4 stocks and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 54.3% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc in 20.5 minutes.

Bilodeau, on the other hand, earned a two-way deal right after being selected at No. 43 overall. Sean Marks & co. have already gathered eight players on rookie contracts and as they have in the recent past, Brooklyn has inked their second round picks to two way deals to save on roster spots and cap space. Two-ways can be active on NBA rosters for up to 50 games before their teams have to either convert them to standard deals or waive them.

While it isn’t yet certain, the expectation is that Grant Nelson, still rehabbing from patellar tendinitis, which cut his season short, will earn the Nets’ final two-way spot.

Before the injury, he thrived on a minutes restriction with the Long Island Nets, averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds per 36 minutes, prompting him to earn a 10-day contract with Brooklyn.

On a 10-day contract, he played 35 minutes, tallying 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. It was initially a surprise that he didn’t get a second 10-day before the news of his injury came out.

As he continues to rehab, he will not play in either Summer League; but he is on the Nets Summer League roster and will be with the team, unlike Nolan Traoré, who won’t after getting his knee scoped recently.

With one two-way still available, Nelson’s recovery process leading up to training camp will be something Nets fans should certainly monitor.

In addition to the three two-ways, the Nets had signed at least three undrafted players to Exhibit 10 deals which virtually assures they too will be spending time on Long Island after a stint in training camp come October. All three are also on the Summer League roster.

Brian Lewis reported that the Nets had signed Dion Brown a 6’3” guard who most recently played for St. Louis University and Jon Chepkevich of Draft Express reported Ben Humrichous, a 6’9” combo forward who came off the bench for Illinois last year. Finally, Dylan Johnson of The Villanovan, the student newspaper, reported Wildcat center Duke Brennan will be joining the Nets.

Marcus Sasser has seemingly spent his entire career as the odd man out in the Detroit Pistons rotation. As a scoring guard with a good floater game and a reliable three-point shot, he’s always been useful and performed well. However, because he’s a 6-foot-1 off-guard without the ability to orchestrate an offense, it’s always been tough to find him minutes on the floor.

Now, it looks like he might get a fresh start within a context where he more naturally fits, and he could be sent closer to home to boot.

“The Mavericks have emerged a leading suitor to acquire Detroit’s Marcus Sasser via trade, league sources tell @TheSteinLine,” Marc Stein wrote on social media.

The Mavericks have emerged a leading suitor to acquire Detroit's Marcus Sasser via trade, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.

More NBA Intel from @JakeLFischer and me: https://t.co/K2otdALX1K

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2026

Sasser averaged 5.2 points and 12 minutes per game across 38 games for the Pistons last season. He was often a healthy scratch as Detroit relied primarily on Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins at point guard, and a mix of Duncan Robinson, Javonte Green, Jaden Ivey, and Caris LeVert at shooting guard last season.

When Sasser did get minutes, he shot reliably from three, hitting 41%. He also helped unstick a wobbly offense in the playoffs in the Cleveland Cavaliers series.

Any deal would be a pure financial play for the Pistons, freeing up his $5.2 million salary obligation. The Mavericks would be taking a low-cost flier on a player in the final season before restricted free agency with an eye toward having his rights in case he is worth investing in further.

Sasser is also a native of Red Oak, Texas, where he grew up and played high school ball. Red Oak is roughly 30 minutes south of Dallas. He also went on to be a four-year star player at the University of Houston.

Whether this deal remains small — you take my surplus player, you give me salary relief via a second-round pick — or a large deal — Dallas is thought to be willing to shop big men such as Daniel Gafford or PJ Washington, and Detroit is staring down big potential holes if one or both of Jalen Duren or Tobias Harris were to play elsewhere — remains to be seen.

Free agency begins today at 6 p.m., and I expect we’ll see some resolution on what the future of the Detroit Pistons looks like.

But it does look Sasser has likely played his final game for the team he’s play for his entire NBA career thus far.

Golden State Warriors fans appear to be fully on board with the team’s decision to select Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

In the latest SB Nation Reacts Survey, 61% of voters gave the selection an “A” grade, while another 29% handed out a “B.” Altogether, 90% of respondents gave the pick a positive grade, with just 10% rating the selection as a “C” or worse.

Throughout the pre-draft process, Lendeborg steadily emerged as one of the prospects most frequently connected to the Warriors. By the time Golden State was on the clock, many analysts viewed the versatile forward as the best player available and a perfect fit for the team’s roster.

Lendeborg was one of the most accomplished players in college basketball last season, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors while helping lead Michigan to a national championship. He averaged 15.1 points for the Wolverines along with 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, showcasing the all-around skill set that made him one of the most NBA-ready prospects in this year’s draft class.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have a clear need for young players who can contribute immediately. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody both expected to miss time next season while recovering from significant leg injuries, there is a clear pathway for the 6-foot-9 forward to earn meaningful minutes in head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation thanks to his versatility and NBA-ready size.

But the excitement surrounding Lendeborg extends beyond his on-court fit. The rookie has quickly become a fan and team favorite thanks to the personality he has shown since arriving in the Bay Area. Lendeborg has come across as someone who is authentic and open to saying whatever is on his mind. One minute he’s discussing his admiration for Stephen Curry; the next, he’s joking that he “used to hate” the Warriors superstar because he grew up rooting for Kyrie Irving. Not to mention, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has already sparked some playful trash talk between Lendeborg and former Spartans star Draymond Green.

The rookie’s fit becomes even more intriguing when considering the Warriors are not done making moves this offseason. Should Golden State find a way to add another marquee player through free agency (Perhaps a former four-time NBA champion and rival to the Bay Area), Lendeborg’s willingness to embrace an energy role and impact games without needing the ball could make him one of the most important complementary pieces on the roster.

For the latest Warriors odds and NBA futures, check out FanDuel Sportsbook.

With free agency just 4 days away, the Dallas Mavericks still have plenty of work to do, chief among them is acquiring more guard help. But who are some realistic options that the Mavericks should target?

Anfernee Simons

The first name on the list is Bulls guard Anfernee Simons. Simons played for the Celtics and Bulls last season and notched 14.3 points per game while shooting 38.5% from three. Simons would immediately add a spark of shooting and shot creation off the bench for a Mavericks team that desperately needs it. After being traded to the Bulls, he was stuck in a log-jam of guards, with a new organization looking to move in a new direction.

Simons will have plenty of suitors in free-agency, but could pursue a larger role in Dallas if he wants to improve his long-term value.

Acquiring Simons would probably entail offering him the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is about $16 million annually

His fit in Dallas would be clean, as he would either start alongside Kyrie Irving or come off the bench as a supercharged 6th man. Simons best skill is his ability to take a large volume of three-pointers with good efficiency, as he attempted 13.9 threes per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 97th percentile.

Shaedon Sharpe

One interesting name the Mavericks could target is current Portland guard Shaedon Sharpe, who shares a deep connection with current Mavericks G.M. Mike Schmitz.

Schmitz is the one who helped to select Sharpe 7th overall in the 2022 NBA draft, and was a vocal proponent of the Kentucky guard before he was hired to the Trailblazers. Sharpe’s availability is a question-mark, but after the addition of Ja Morant, the Blazers could be interested in moving the uber-athletic guard.

The Mavericks could acquire Sharpe in 2 ways: Either absorbing him into their traded-player exception, or sending back P.J. Washington.

Sharpe’s game is one of potential, as his combination of elite athleticism and shot making ability provide tantalizing upside. The challenge for Sharpe is to figure out how to impact the game at a high-level, but if he can, watch out.

Reed Sheppard

Everyone knows that the Mavericks desperately need more three-point shooting, so why not look to bring in one of the better shooters in the league.

Since being drafted 4th overall by the Rockets, Reed Sheppard has had a rocky 2-year career, with flashes of brilliant upside mixed with frustrating flaws.

Sheppard can shoot with the best of them, but struggles in almost every other aspect, specifically as an on-ball creator. Acquiring Sheppard would be very difficult, as the Rockets still have a need for his skill-set; but, there is one avenue to getting the young guard.

That avenue would be as a centerpiece in a Kyrie Irving trade. While the Mavericks have maintained a staunch stance on keeping Irving, it is not impossible that they receive an offer they simply cannot refuse.

Sheppard would immediately inject the Mavericks with a massive dose of spacing and shooting, as he’s capable of changing games with his shooting alone.

Jrue Holiday

Another Portland guard makes this list, this time being the uber-experienced Jrue Holiday.

Holiday is yet another player who could be a casualty of the Ja Morant trade. Unlike Sharpe, Holiday is on the decline as the enters next season at 36 years old.

Any Holiday trade would be an attempt for the Mavericks to win now, with a trade package being made up of P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson.

Holiday would be a perfect 2-guard next to Kyrie Irving, as while Holiday has slowed down, his defense still borders on elite. The issue is that he does not fit in the current timeline at all, as the Mavericks are rebuilding, not lookingto compete.

But there is a scenario where a Holiday trade makes sense; what if the Mavericks exceed expectations leading up to the trade-deadline. In this world it would make more sense to go “all-in” by adding a player who would fill a significant need as a point of attack defender.

Immanuel Quickley

Multiple players on this list have connections with Mike Schmitz, but what about Masai Ujiri. Ujiri acquired Immanuel Quickley from the New York Knicks in the OG Anunoby trade, and proceeded to give him a lucrative extension.

But now the Raptors are moving in a different direction, and with a Kawhi Leonard trade looming, Quickley could be moved to balance the roster. Quickley has had an up-and-down career in Toronto, as while his volume and role have increased, his efficiency and defense has declined.

The other issue is his massive contract, as he will earn $32.5 million of the next 3 years. Due to this, his cost wouldn’t be very high, and a package of Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford may be enough to pull him from the Raptors.

Quickley’s fit in Dallas would be simple: run the offense next to Cooper Flagg, and while his salary may be too much for the Raptors, it wouldn’t be a large issue in Dallas.

It’d be an understatement to say Landry Shamet is excited to be back with the Knicks. 

Shamet posted a Knicks-themed video on his Instagram story to celebrate agreeing to a four-year, $24 million deal to return to the Knicks after helping them to their first title in 53 years,  

Taken from the movie “The Wolf of Wall Street”, Shamet posted himself saying Jordan Belfort’s famous line — spoken by Leonardo DiCaprio — of “I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving. I’m not f–king leaving.” 

Several Knicks appeared on faces in the background, with Jose Alvarado and Karl-Anthony Towns celebrating with Shamet. 

“The show goes on. This is my home,” Shamet also said, pretending to be the disgraced stockbroker Belfort. 

“They gonna need a f–king wrecking ball to take me.” 

Shamet quickly became a fan favorite in New York during the Knicks title run and was set to become an unrestricted free agent before the team retained him. 

The guard reportedly turned down more money from other teams to stay with the Knicks and help them on their quest to repeat as champions. 

Shamet’s contract will also allow the Knicks to stay below the second apron after the roster is filled out, following owner James Dolan’s recent statement about not going into the punitive salary cap bracket.

The 2018 first-round pick started his career with the 76ers before bouncing around between the Clippers, Suns, Nets and Wizards. 

He spent the past two seasons with the Knicks, playing in 101 regular-season games and averaging 7.1 points per game in 19.1 minutes. 

Despite limited minutes, Shamet excelled during the Knicks most recent playoff run, shooting 47.5 percent from downtown. 

The 29-year-old was most lethal in the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers in the Knicks sweep, where he shot 11-of-12 from 3 and hit a clutch shot in the team’s Game 1 comeback. 

While Mitchell Robinson is expected to walk in free agency, the Knicks are largely running it back with the same group after also re-signing Jose Alvarado on June 26.

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Barstool Sports ESPN Tried Their Best To Create A Narrative That Jaylen Brown Has “Off The Court Issues” Only To Delete The Tweet In An Attempt To Pretend Like Nothing Happened

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As LeBron James departs the Los Angeles Lakers, two of the franchise's key figures – Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson – shared their thoughts on the impact he's had the club.

“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,’’ wrote Buss, the team’s governor and controlling executive. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.’’

Magic Johnson also had a key role in the Lakers signing LeBron James in 2018.

"I want to thank LeBron James and his super agent Rich Paul for taking a meeting with me back in 2018 when I was President of the Lakers and deciding to sign with us,'' Johnson wrote. " He created a whole new era for the Lakers, including leading us to an NBA Championship in 2020 and all the milestones he surpassed in a Lakers jersey. I’ll always love and be grateful for him and wish him all the best in the next phase of his life, on and off the court!"

LeBron leaves Lakers: LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers, 'Hope I made a few proud'

The Lakers had failed to make the playoffs for five straight seasons before James arrived. The Lakers ended that drought in James’ second season with the team and reached the postseason in seven of his last seasons with the Lakers.

Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season, posted a photo of himself and James hugging with the caption: “An honor to play with and learn from you @kingjames.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy