PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 7: Zac Thornton #49 of the New York Mets pitches in the second inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – LF Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Luis Robert – CF Jared Young – 1B Francisco Alvarez – DH Brett Baty – 2B Luis Torrens – C
SP: Zac Thornton – LHP
Braves lineup
Ronald Acuna – RF Drake Baldwin – DH Matt Olson – 1B Ozzie Albies – 2B Michael Harris – CF Mauricio Dubon – SS Lane Thomas – LF Austin Riley – 3B Sean Murphy – C
SP: Tyler Mahle – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:15 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 19: Haywood Highsmith #7 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
So you thought the Phoenix Suns were done for the offseason, did you? Well, surprise surprise. They’re not done making moves.
On Wednesday, the Suns waived Haywood Highsmith, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
The Phoenix Suns have waived Haywood Highsmith, league sources told @hoopshype. He was partially guaranteed $1 million of his $3 million salary for the 2026-27 season. The 3-and-D forward has averaged 5.4 points on 38% 3-point shooting and 3.1 rebounds in six NBA seasons.
Phoenix acquired Highsmith last February after he signed with the team as a free agent following his release from the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the month. He appeared in seven games for the Suns, averaging 5.4 points in 91 total minutes. Highsmith had previously missed significant time after undergoing surgery for a right knee meniscal tear last August.
Highsmith was set to make $3 million next season, but the contract was not guaranteed. He would have earned the full amount if he had remained on the roster through January 10, 2027.
Waiving Highsmith opens up a roster spot for the Suns. We don’t yet know whether Phoenix already has somebody in mind, which prompted the move, or whether the organization simply values the flexibility that comes with keeping a spot open. It’s something the Suns have done before, leaving a roster spot available while waiting to identify the right player to eventually fill it.
Either way, Haywood Highsmith is no longer a member of the Phoenix Suns. The 29-year-old will now look for his fourth NBA team.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Draymond Green #23 after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chase Center on April 02, 2026 in San Francisco, 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Warriors fans and fans across the country.
The Golden State Warriors limped into the play-in tournament in 2025-26, and were eliminated before the playoffs. But in 2024-25? They made quite a run, and arguably the only thing that kept them from making the Western Conference Finals was an injury sustained by Steph Curry.
The Dubs are basically running it back this year. They came up short in their pursuit of LeBron James, and have yet to add a single player from outside the organization, though that will likely change between now and Opening Night. So, how will the Warriors fare this season? Give us your predictions!
With the oncoming start of a new NHL season comes the beginning of milestone countdowns for the Vancouver Canucks. As it stands, seven players currently on Vancouver’s roster have the chance to hit personal and franchise goal-scoring milestones during the 2026–27 season.
Elias Pettersson & Brock Boeser Continue Their Race Up The Canucks’ Ranks
Elias Pettersson ended the 2025–26 season with only one more goal needed to tie former Canucks captain Bo Horvat for the ninth-most goals scored in franchise history. Currently sitting at 200 goals, Pettersson is only two goals away from passing Horvat’s current total of 201 goals as a member of the Canucks.
Depending on how the season goes, Pettersson could also hit the benchmark for the eighth-most goals scored in Canucks history. That spot currently belongs to Brock Boeser, who has 226 total tallies for the team. Boeser, however, has a couple of goal-scoring milestones of his own to reach, as he’s currently only 14 goals away from tying Henrik Sedin (240) for seventh in franchise history. Within range of that is also Tony Tanti, who currently sits at sixth in club records with 250 goals.
While Boeser is likely to slide into seventh during the 2026–27 season, Tanti’s record at sixth may be a little harder to achieve. Boeser would have to score 25 goals to pass Tanti — which isn’t outlandish given the forward’s goal-scoring averages on a full season-by-season basis — but given that the Canucks aren’t expected to stun offensively in the upcoming season, this may be a harder mark to reach.
200 Goals Await Jake DeBrusk In 2026–27
Only 11 goals stand in the way of Jake DeBrusk and the 200-career NHL goal mark, which he could realistically hit before the end of the calendar year. The winger hit the 100-goal mark back in 2022 as a member of the Boston Bruins, though the increase in his goal-scoring pace per season as of late has helped accelerate his steps towards the next milestone.
Mar 24, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk (74) and forward Elias Pettersson (40) and forward Brock Boeser (6) celebrate BoeserÕs goal against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Three Defencemen And One Forward Could All Hit 50 Career-Goals In 2026–27
Four Canucks — three veteran defencemen and one depth forward — are all within striking distance of 50-career NHL goals.
The closest to the 50-goal milestone currently is Filip Hronek, who is sitting at 48 goals throughout his NHL career. He’s scored at least five goals in all but one of his eight seasons in the NHL, with the lone expectation being the shortened 2020–21 season.
The next player closest to scoring their 50th-career NHL goal is newcomer Paul Cotter, who is currently at 47 throughout his career. The depth forward scored nine goals in 79 games for the New Jersey Devils in 2025–26, but has previously tallied as many as 16 in a season (2024–25).
From there, Jamie Oleksiak and Luke Schenn are both tied with 45 career NHL goals. Oleksiak scored exactly five goals for the Seattle Kraken in 2025–26, though he’s only hit that mark four times total throughout his career. Schenn, who last scored five goals in a single season as a member of the Canucks in 2021–22, will likely see a larger role with Vancouver in 2026–27 compared to his more recent stints, making this milestone a little more achievable.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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They’re not going to like comments Iger made about his NBA fandom during a 2021 interview on “The Old Man and The Three” podcast, which have resurfaced on Reddit on Wednesday.
Follow the latest on the multibillion-dollar LA Lakers sale:
Bob Iger greets Kobe Bryant at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 5, 2016. GC Images
When speaking about his relationship with Chris Paul and his involvement in the notorious NBA bubble in Florida during the COVID 2020 season, Iger said, “I am a Clippers fan. Having moved from New York to Los Angeles back in 2000, and being a big NBA fan, I needed a team to root for. And in my youth, the Lakers were a big rival of the Knicks, the team I grew up rooting for. So I couldn’t root for the Lakers very easily; it just was not in my DNA.
“So I decided to adopt the Clippers, which was actually a good thing, because their seats were a lot cheaper than the Lakers,” Iger added.
Bob Iger attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
But it doesn’t matter now, since Iger will have any seat in the house he wants for the team he now owns. One would also assume (or at least hope) that his fandom will flip from the Clippers to the Lakers as well, if it hasn’t already.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Casey Schmitt #10 of the San Francisco Giants between innings at Oracle Park on July 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Godofredo Vásquez/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Giants fans and fans across the country.
The San Francisco Giants employed one of the best second baseman in the Majors this year. They also traded that second baseman, Luis Arráez, at the deadline.
When the Giants made that trade, it seemed pretty clear who would be replacing Arráez next year: Casey Schmitt, who was in the midst of a breakout season before suffering a season-ending meniscus injury. And then, just a few hours later, the Giants swung a shocking trade for Marcelo Mayer.
And now I have no clue who the second baseman in 2027 will be.
It’s impossible to know right now, because the Giants don’t know right now. How Mayer, who is expected to debut in the next week or so, performs over the final weeks of the season will play a role. How both perform during Spring Training will play a role. Whether or not the Giants swing an offseason trade involving left-side infielders Matt Chapman or Willy Adames will play a role.
But it’s fun to speculate now, and see who you think has the inside track to the position, and who you think should hold down the role in 2027: Mayer or Schmitt?
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 7: Carmen Mlodzinski #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park on August 7, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 loss in last night’s game, as they take on the Miami Marlins for the second contest of a three-game set.
The Pirates are trotting out Carmen Mlodzinski, who recently returned to the rotation earlier this month after Mitch Keller suffered a season-ending injury in his first start back in the rotation on August 7 against the New York Mets. Mlodzinski pitched three innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs in a 6-4 loss. Perhaps there was some difficult adjusting back to the rotation that has vanished between then and now that can help the Pirates get back in the win column.
After last night’s shutout and scoring just one run since Sunday, the Pirates will have to battle against Janson Junk.
Junk, 30, is coming off a rough start of his own on August 6 against the Atlanta Braves. He pitched three innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs in an 11-3 loss at Truist Park. Junk pitched against the Pirates in 2025, and Pittsburgh was able to get the best of him. In four innings during a game back on June 9, 2025, Junk surrendered nine hits and five earned runs as the Buccos won 10-3. Pittsburgh hopes to have similar luck this time around.
Location: loanDepot Park, Miami, FL
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Carmen Mlodzinski (6-4, 3.51 ERA) vs. Janson Junk (5-7, 4.63 ERA)
BD community, this is your gameday thread for today’s game. Chime off in the comments section below.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Three of the five players acquitted of sexual assault in the high-profile 2018 Canada world junior case have had their international play suspensions get extended for at least another year, with only one set for immediate reinstatement.
Hockey Canada on Wednesday extended Michael McLeod’s ban from representing the country until Nov. 10, 2030, Dillon Dube through the same date in 2028 and Carter Hart through that date in 2027. Cal Foote’s suspension will end this November, while Alex Formenton has been reinstated.
The decisions were announced after an independent appeal board ruled that the players breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct.
Last year, the NHL allowed the players to sign contracts beginning in October and to play in December. Hart signed with Vegas in the fall, returned to the NHL on Dec. 2 and backstopped the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup, while Dube in July became the second of the five players to sign an NHL contract when he joined St. Louis.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 20: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 20, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The 76ers defeated the Mavericks 121-114. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The general public will have no shortage of opportunities to watch the Philadelphia 76ers play basketball this season (at least on television, in-person viewing may be much harder). We previously detailed how the Sixers would take part in the NBA’s opening night and Christmas Day slates, with their home opener against Cleveland also nationally televised. On Wednesday, two more nationally-televised holiday games were revealed to be on the schedule.
The Sixers will play on MLK Day, January 18, at 2:30 pm ET in Atlanta, and on Presidents’ Day, February 15, at 2:30 pm ET in Dallas. Both games will be on NBC.
The Hawks should be an intriguing team to watch in their first full year removed from the Trae Young era. Jalen Johnson is coming off a Third Team All-NBA campaign and the organization made some interesting acquisitions during the offseason like Lu Dort, Ryan Nembhard, and Aaron Wiggins. Meanwhile down in Texas, I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to tune into Cooper Flagg’s second season and I’m curious about the roster constructed by new President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri led by former Michigan head coach Dusty May.
Of course, we have to get used to this new reality that the Sixers are the Main Attraction. Casuals are tuning in to watch LeBron James in a Sixers uniform and Jaylen Brown metaphorically stomp all over the analytics nerds across the interwebs. There won’t be a week that goes by this season that won’t have some compelling Philadelphia-related storyline to unwrap. Strap in, folks, it should be a fun one.
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 9: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers runs onto the court before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 9, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are right around the corner. Key dates for the 2026-27 NBA season have been unveiled ahead of the full schedule being released tomorrow. For now, we know some major games to mark your calendar for.
Let’s start with their first game of the season.
Cleveland opens their season on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 22nd. They’ll then play LeBron James at home for the first time in a 76ers uniform just a few weeks later on November 6th. The Cavs will waste no time welcoming the King back to the East. They’ll have two chances to make a statement before Thanksgiving.
The Cavs won’t play on Christmas this year, but they will play on Martin Luther King Day once again. They host the Detroit Pistons at noon. Last season, Cleveland faced the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on MLK Day.
A few other dates have been revealed for Cleveland. We now know the full details of their NBA Cup schedule, including when and where each game of their group stage will be played.
The Cavs begin their NBA Cup journey on November 6th against the 76ers. Raising the stakes of their second game against the 76ers.
Next, they head to Miami on November 13th to play Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat. A week later, Cleveland will host the Indiana Pacers, a team that will be rejuvenated by the return of Tyrese Haliburton. The star point guard missed all of last season with an Achilles injury.
Finally, the Cavs will be on the road against the New York Knicks on November 25th for their final game of the NBA Cup Group Stage. The Knicks have gotten the best of Cleveland at every turn. This will be an opportunity for the Cavs to flip the tables.
All things considered, that’s a brutal group to be a part of for the Cup.
To recap, here are the dates that we have confirmed:
October 22 at PHI (Season Opener)
November 6th vs PHI (NBA Cup)
November 13th at MIA (NBA Cup)
November 20th vs IND (NBA Cup)
November 25th at NYK (NBA Cup)
January 19th vs DET (MLK Day)
There will be no Christmas Day game for the Cavs this season.
The NBA plans to release the full schedule tomorrow. That will give us all time to plan ahead and get ready for another season of Cavs basketball.
Russell Westbrook announced he was stepping away from the NBA after 18 seasons in a video released on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
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Westbrook played for seven different teams in the league but had his longest stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008 to 2019.
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The point guard was voted the 2016-17 MVP and was a nine-time All-Star during his career.
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Westbrook averaged 20.9 points, 8 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game but is referred to as Mr. Triple-Double for producing 209 career triple-doubles.
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He finishes his career as the all-time leader; his former teammate, Nikola Jokic, is threatening to take over the record as he's sitting at 198 career triple-doubles.
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Here’s how basketball fans honored Westbrook following his announcement:
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Russell Westbrook praised after announcement
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Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end.
Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti:
"Russell Westbrook is the ultimate competitor.
His internal belief and unbridled fearlessness helped establish the foundation of our organization from day one in 2008 and he elevated the confidence and inspired…
Grateful Sacramento was part of an unforgettable career. Congratulations on 18 incredible seasons. Enjoy retirement, Brodie 💜 @russwest44pic.twitter.com/l66Qo1k7Nx
▫️9x All-Star ▫️9x All-NBA ▫️3x Assists Champion ▫️2x Scoring Champion ▫️2x All-Star Game MVP ▫️2016-17 NBA MVP ▫️Member of the 75th Anniversary Team ▫️All Time Triple Double Leader
🏀 209 career triple-doubles, most in NBA history 🏀 1 of 2 players in NBA history with 25,000 points & 10,000 assists 🏀 14th on the NBA all-time scoring list (27,176) 🏀 1 of 14 players to record 2,000 career steals (2,038) pic.twitter.com/w3FQ1WRfpJ
Every time you figured you had him read, thought he'd go right, he'd go left on you. He played his whole career that way and...he gave us one more surprise today.
Russell was one of my favorite guys to line up against near the end…
"One of the best point guards to ever pick up a basketball"@adaniels33 reacts to the breaking news of Russell Westbrook announcing his retirement after 18 seasons with @WorldWideWob
An appeals panel ruled that five players from Hockey Canada's 2018 world junior championships team breached the organization's code of conduct in a case that led to a sexual assault trial in which all were acquitted.
The panel continued suspensions for four of the five players, and announced the dates when they will again be eligible to represent Canada in international play.
Alex Formenton is eligible to return immediately. Here are the return dates for the other four players:
Cal Foote: suspended until Nov. 10, 2026
Carter Hart: suspended until Nov. 10, 2027
Dillon Dubé: suspended until Nov. 10, 2028
Michael McLeod: suspended until Nov. 10, 2030
Each player was charged in 2024 with one count of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident that police said happened in a London, Ontario, hotel room while the team was in town in June 2018 for a Hockey Canada gala celebrating the team's gold medal. McLeod also was charged with being a party to the offense.
After their 2025 trial, Justice Maria Carroccia ruled she couldn't rely on the evidence of the female accuser and that prosecutors hadn't proved their case. She found all of the players not guilty.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 11: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
While we probably still have another month (at least) until we hear that Jalen Duren has signed a new contract with the Detroit Pistons, let’s entertain the idea of what a JD sign-and-trade could look like this late in the summer.
A couple of caveats, first:
I’m only trading Jalen Duren if I’m getting a center back in the deal. Any JD trade that doesn’t bring a center back means there needs to be another deal afterwards to find your new starting big man.
I’m only taking a center back if that player can shoot. If I wanted a center that can rebound and catch lobs, I’d just pay Jalen Duren. In this fake world we’re living in for the premise of the article, I want to add even more spacing so Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson can thrive.
I’m not going to add any picks into these trades. This exercise is more about showing what a trade can look like financially, and y’all can decide in the comments where picks would need to be added.
Let us begin.
Option #1
DET gets: Ryan Rollins and Myles Turner
MIL gets: Jalen Duren
Why Detroit says yes: They land their starting SG of the future and finally pair Ausar with a stretch five since the time Mike Muscala was on the team for a fortnight. Rollins (shoutout Toledo Joe) averaged 17/4/5 while shooting 47%/40%/80% in 32 minutes per game last season and fits Detroit’s core at 24 years old. I do not care that Turner only averaged 12/5/1 last year on an extremely dysfunctional Milwaukee team. His career 37% three-point percentage is the prize, and he can’t be a worse rim protector than Duren.
Why Milwaukee says yes: They kick off their post-Giannis rebuild with a 22-year-old All-NBA center to play with Tyler Herro and the rest of the young guys they got from Miami. That should make them good enough to avoid being a bottom-three team this year.
Why Jalen Duren says yes: He’ll get paid more than what Detroit is reportedly offering him.
Option #2
DET gets: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu
ATL gets: Jalen Duren
Why Detroit says yes: For the same reasons they’d say yes to the first deal, though, NAW’s contract is probably the prized possession of this trade. While Okongwu doesn’t have a ton of size, he has turned into quite the stretch five. He averaged 15/7/3 on 48%/38%/76% last season while shooting more than five threes per game. Both guys are young enough to stick around with Detroit’s core.
Why Atlanta says yes: Atlanta is primed to make a big splash at some point this season, and it’s not a secret they’re looking for a center. Rudy Gobert was rumored to be on their watch list to reunite him with head coach Quin Snyder, but if Minnesota is still looking to compete with Gobert, Atlanta pivoting to Jalen Duren could be an appealing idea.
Why Jalen Duren says yes: He’ll get paid more than what Detroit is reportedly offering him.
Shoutout to Based Pistons from Bluesky for the idea on this one!
Option #3
Option #3 just had to be a three-team deal, right?
DET gets: Chet Holmgren and Jordan Hawkins
NOP gets: Jalen Duren
OKC gets: Trey Murphy III and Duncan Robinson
Why Detroit says yes: Ever since Chet Holmgren faded in the playoffs against Wemby and OKC drafted Aday Mara while also extending Isaiah Hartenstein, I’ve wondered what it would take to get Chet to Detroit. He averaged 17/9/2 while shooting 56%/36%/79% in 69 games last season. Pairing him with Ausar Thompson would make Detroit the best defensive team in the league, and he’s a career 37% three-point shooter. Sign me up!
Why New Orleans says yes: Troy Weaver.
Why Oklahoma City says yes: With the addition of Aday Mara, he and Hartenstein combined will make $12 million less than Holmgren. If there’s a world where OKC wants to continue cutting costs, turning Chet into TMIII and Duncan is a great cost-saving move. The two J-Wills and TMIII could fill the minutes at PF while Hartenstein and Mara hold down the C position. Shai’s 4yr/$272m extension starts after this season, so future moves may be needed in OKC to prevent them from reaching the second apron.
Why Jalen Duren says yes: He’ll get paid more than what Detroit is reportedly offering him.
What say you, DBB? Any interest in any of the above trade ideas?
Executive Chairman of the Walt Disney Company Bob Iger arrives at the world premiere for the film “The King’s Man” at Leicester Square in London, Britain on Monday, December 6, 2021. (X03696) REUTERS
Apparently with whiplash-inducing speed. Iger and Kushner were pursuing a majority stake in a potential NBA expansion team in Las Vegas through Thrive Eternal, which is the permanent capital holding company launched by Thrive Capital, which Kushner founded.
“As you may have read or heard, we were involved in pursuing the new franchise in Vegas,” Iger told Khobi Price of the California Post.
“And while that happened, it was suggested to us that maybe Mark Walter would be interested in selling his stake in the Lakers. And we immediately decided that given the value of the franchise and the iconic nature of the team that we would be really smart to pursue it. And we did.”
“The deal came together in three days. It’s that simple.”
Why is Mark Walter selling the Lakers 14 months after buying the team?
Mark Walter attends the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation annual Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
We’re not sure.
Was it because he could make a $2.5 billion profit?
Did it have anything to do with the fact that insurance companies he owned are being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Securities and Exchange Commission?
What we do know is that Walter is not expected to sell the Dodgers, which his ownership group purchased for $2.15 billion in 2012.
Does this mean anything for Luka Doncic?
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts on the court during the first half on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Corey Sipkin) Corey Sipkin for NY Post
Doncic wanted to retire with the Dallas Mavericks before he was stunningly traded to the Lakers in February 2025 in what was widely considered one of the most surprising deals in sports history. Since then, he has undergone two ownership changes.
It has been dizzying for the 27-year-old, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season.
Doncic was heavily involved with the revamping of the Lakers’ roster this offseason, including the acquisition of center Walker Kessler. Doncic, who signed a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the Lakers in August 2025, has a player option for the 2028-2029 season.
“Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA,” Doncic wrote. “I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together.”
What does this mean for Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick?
Iger has already spoken with Lakers coach JJ Redick, whom he has known for a long time. Iger was a season ticket holder when Redick played for the LA Clippers. He has even made several appearances on Redick’s former podcast, “The Old Man and the Three.” They both live in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.
As for Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, it’s unclear if Iger has spoken to him yet. Pelinka has been with the Lakers for nine years after joining the franchise as general manager in 2017.
What happens to Jeanie Buss?
Mark Walter, left, a majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Jeanie Buss, minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, talk as the Lakers play the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Jeanie Buss had an agreement with previous ownership to remain as governor for four more years. Will that agreement remain intact under new ownership?
Yes.
When the Buss family sold the Lakers to Walter, there was an agreement for her to remain the team’s governor for at least five years. Iger intends to honor that arrangement.
“We have enormous respect and appreciation for Jeanie, her father and what they’ve contributed to this franchise,” Iger told the California Post.
“And we have every intention to honor the agreement that was made between Mark and Jeanie. If things change, they’ll change. But we’re going into this with enormous respect and appreciation for who she is and what she represents in the organization.”
Josh Kushner is a minority owner of the Heat. How does that work?
Kushner became a minority owner of the Grizzlies in 2019 before selling his share to become a minority owner of the Heat.
He will have to sell his share in the Heat before taking over the Lakers.
A detailed view of the Los Angeles Lakers logo at midcourt before the game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
Los Angeles, CA - February 22: Jeanie Buss during the statue unveiling for former Lakers coach Pat Riley in Star Plaza in front of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Riley won 4 championships as Lakers head coach. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
This sale is not only a shock, but comes with many questions. One very notable one is what happens to current governor Jeanie Buss?
When Walter took over the team, the agreement was that Jeanie would remain as governor for at least five years. However, just one season as the Lakers’ owner, Walter is gone. However, it looks like Jeanie will stay in her position.
Iger told the Post he and Kushner intend to honor the agreement made between Walter and Buss.
“We have enormous respect and appreciation for Jeanie, her father and what they’ve contributed to this franchise,” Iger said. “And we have every intention to honor the agreement that was made between Mark and Jeanie. If things change, they’ll change, but we’re going into this with enormous respect and appreciation for who she is and what she represents in the organization.”
It certainly sounds like Jeanie won’t be leaving her position with the franchise anytime soon. However, Iger did leave himself some leeway by saying, “If things change, they’ll change.”
Transitions of power in the NBA can be tricky. When Mark Cuban sold the Mavericks, he believed he would continue to have control of the basketball operations and clearly that didn’t happen.
The difference between that situation and the original one with Jeanie was that she got it in writing, making it official. If it’s a handshake agreement, you can see how that turns out. For now, Iger seems open to the idea of keeping Jeanie on.
