Mobile Menu
HEADLINES

LeBron James

Thunder Win First Championship Since Move; SGA Named Finals MVP

June 22nd, 2025 at 10:07pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Thunder claimed their first NBA championship since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, as they defeated the depleted Pacers, 103-91, in Game 7 on Sunday.

Seattle, which won the championship in 1979, relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Pacers, who have never won an NBA title, played the last three quarters without Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered an Achilles injury in the first quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this season’s Most Valuable Player, also earned Finals MVP honors, the league announced (via Twitter). It’s the 16th time a player has won both in the same year, though it hasn’t happened since LeBron James pulled it off during the 2012/13 season.

The Thunder should be major contenders for years to come with their young core, featuring Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. The top priorities for the Thunder this offseason center around extensions.

Gilgeous-Alexander has met the performance criteria for a super-max contract and will become eligible to sign that extension next month. The 2024 MVP runner-up still has two years left on his current deal and can’t exceed six years in total, so the maximum value of his extension would be a projected $293.4MM over four years, beginning in 2027/28.

Williams and Holmgren are eligible for rookie scale extensions until the beginning of next seasons and both could receive the max – five years and a projected $246MM. The maximum value of those extensions could increase to a projected $296MM if All-NBA, MVP or Defensive Player of the Year honors are negotiated into the contracts.

The Pacers’ offseason outlook could change dramatically due to Haliburton’s injury. Myles Turner, their starting center, is headed to unrestricted free agency and while the Pacers reportedly want to re-sign him, they could have plenty of competition. Bennedict Mathurin is eligible for a rookie scale extension.

Several other key players, including Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, are signed through at least the 2027/28 season. Could they look to shed salary in light of Haliburton’s injury?

With the NBA Finals decided, the 2025 NBA offseason is officially underway. For the second straight year, teams will be permitted to negotiate contracts with their own free agents one day after the Finals. Players who won’t be free agents this offseason but who will become eligible to sign contract extensions on July 6 will also be permitted to begin negotiations with their current teams on Monday.

Thus, it wouldn’t be surprising if some agreements are reported this week. Free agent contracts still can’t be officially finalized until after the July moratorium lifts on July 6.

The draft will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, with free agency beginning on June 30 at 6 p.m. Eastern time.

Repost Share Send via email

And-Ones: LeBron, Amazon, Local Broadcasts, Top FAs

June 21st, 2025 at 4:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Lakers forward LeBron James, who recently starred in an ad for Amazon Prime and has been doing a press tour ahead of the company’s Prime Day promotion next month, could end up joining Prime Video’s coverage of the NBA following the end of his playing career, sources tell Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports.

According to McCarthy, ABC/ESPN and NBC would also almost certainly have interest in James if he wants to get into broadcasting, but LeBron’s growing business relationship with Amazon could give Prime the upper hand. The four-time MVP has previously criticized ESPN’s and TNT’s coverage of the NBA for being too negative, but spoke glowingly about his expectations for Amazon in an interview with Tony Maglio of The Hollywood Reporter.

“(Prime Video’s team of analysts) has so much knowledge and (so many) people that know the game and appreciate the game and talk about the game in such a positive manner,” James said. “So, I think Amazon Prime Video, they’re gonna do a great job showcasing our sport; (the talent) love(s) our sport. Great intellect, great commentary, great insight — I really look forward to that. And like I said, those guys that they have signed up for it, they’re gonna do great things.”

James’ former teammate Dwyane Wade and podcast partner Steve Nash are among the Amazon Prime analysts he singled out for praise, along with Dirk Nowitzki and Candace Parker.

In that interview with Maglio, James was also asked about his stance that he’s unlikely to play in the 2028 Olympics for Team USA — he made it clear his position on that subject hasn’t changed.

“Me being able to support Team USA for the rest of my life — that’s for sure. But me actually going on and playing, I don’t see it happening,” James said. “I’ve given everything that I have, and I will always be appreciative and loyal and dedicated to Team USA and USA Basketball.”

We have more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • Although the NBA reached 11-year media rights deals with Disney (ABC/ESPN), Amazon, and NBC that will go into effect later this year for national broadcasts, the outlook for game broadcasts in local markets is murkier. Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic explores that subject, noting that the NBA has considered the idea of introducing a local version of League Pass, though that likely wouldn’t happen until 2026/27 at the earliest.
  • Keith Smith of Spotrac has published his list of this year’s top 50 NBA free agents, while Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has projected possible contracts and landing spots for 30 of the best players on the market. John Hollinger of The Athletic, meanwhile, wraps up his look at the 2025 free agent class by focusing on the top power forwards and centers. Our own top-50 free agent list will be published on Monday, after the NBA Finals conclude.
  • ESPN’s Brian Windhorst takes a look at five storylines and 12 players who could shape the 2025 NBA offseason, starting with the Kevin Durant trade sweepstakes and what happens with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
Repost Share Send via email

Lakers Sale Notes: Walter, Buss, LeBron, Doncic

June 19th, 2025 at 9:04am CST by Arthur Hill

The sale of the Lakers to Los Angeles sports mogul Mark Walter should signal a change in the way the franchise operates, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. The record-setting deal, which includes an approximate $10 billion valuation for the franchise, will end more than four decades of control for the Buss family.

Despite their position as one of the NBA’s glamour teams, Vorkunov points out that the Lakers haven’t always been run that way. He states that many of the owners who’ve entered the league in the past few years are more aggressive about investing in high-priced front office and coaching hires and that L.A.’s basketball operations department isn’t as large or free spending as some of the small-market teams.

Vorkunov expects Walter to adopt a different approach based on his stewardship of the Dodgers, who have used an enormous payroll to become an MLB powerhouse. They’re projected to spend $476MM this season in payroll and luxury tax, and they invest heavily to bring in top-notch talent throughout the organization.

“A key difference between baseball and basketball is that you can’t simply outspend everyone on payroll the way the Dodgers do,” an NBA executive told Vorkunov. “But what most people overlook is how much the Dodgers invest beyond just players. They spend at an elite level on infrastructure: front office talent, analytics and player development. Each area is essentially run by a GM-level executive, enabling them to retain top-tier personnel across the board.”

There’s more on the sale of the Lakers:

  • The purchase agreement ensures that Jeanie Buss will retain her role as governor and will keep running the team for “at least a number of years,” sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter link). Her sources add that Walter gave his full endorsement to the arrangement, noting that he and Buss have built a strong relationship, especially since he became a minority owner in 2021. Shelburne adds that it’s a different situation that Mark Cuban faced in Dallas, where he didn’t get to keep the operational control he expected after his sale of the team was finalized (Twitter link).
  • The Buss family intends to hang onto a minority stake in the franchise worth just over 15%, per Shams Charania of ESPN. NBA bylaws require a stake of at least 15% in order for Jeanie to continue serving as governor, as Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line note (Substack link).
  • LeBron James is “comfortable” with the impending sale, Vorkunov and other Athletic reporters add in a separate story. Luka Doncic, who is eligible for a $229MM extension, shared his excitement about the deal on social media. “The Lakers are an amazing organization,” he tweeted. “I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!”
  • Mark Medina of RG notes that Buss talked 10 years ago about having the family control the team “forever.” He looks at what has happened over the past decade to make them change their minds.
Repost Share Send via email

LeBron James Discusses Knee, Plans To Play 23rd Season

June 17th, 2025 at 12:03pm CST by Luke Adams

LeBron James intends to continue his NBA career in 2025/26, which will make him the first player in league history to play a 23rd season, writes Jonathan Landrum Jr. of The Associated Press. For now, the Lakers star’s focus is on making sure his left knee gets healthy after he sustained an MCL sprain in the playoffs.

“I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100% as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James said.

While James, who expressed uncertainty in the wake of the Lakers’ postseason elimination about his future plans, confirmed he has no plans to call it a career this offseason, he didn’t specifically address his contract situation. The veteran forward holds a $52.6MM player option for next season and is considered likely to either pick up that option or negotiate a new deal to remain with the Lakers.

LeBron, who will turn 41 this December, also isn’t prepared to offer a timeline for when he might call it a career, though he acknowledged that he can’t help but think about how much time he might have left in the NBA.

“At this point of my career, you think about when the end is. That’s human nature,” he told Landrum. “You think: Is it this year? Or next year? Those thoughts always creep into your mind at this point of the journey. But I have not given it a specific timetable, date. I’m seeing how my body and family reacts, too.”

After becoming Lakers teammates with his son Bronny James this past season, LeBron said it would be “insane” if he also got the opportunity to play alongside younger son Bryce James, who would be draft-eligible as early as 2026. Whether or not that happens, the four-time MVP expressed appreciation to his family for enthusiastically supporting him for as long as he wants to continue playing.

“They’re like ‘Dad, continue on your dream. This is your dream. Continue on your focus. You’ve been here for us this whole time,'” LeBron said. “When you have that type of support… it makes it a lot easier.”

Repost Share Send via email

And-Ones: All-Star Game, Rubio, Draft Sleepers, Broadcasters

June 5th, 2025 at 8:56am CST by Luke Adams

Asked during an appearance on FS1’s Breakfast Ball (Twitter video link) whether a U.S. vs. the World format for the All-Star Game is something the NBA could implement as soon as 2026, league commissioner Adam Silver replied, “Yes.”

Silver cautioned that nothing has been set in stone yet, but that plan has been set in motion, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, and the NBA believes the timing makes sense. There was significant interest in the men’s basketball event at the 2024 Paris Olympics that featured a star-studded Team USA taking on NBA stars from other countries, and the 2026 All-Star Game will air on NBC while the network is also broadcasting the Winter Olympics.

“What better time to feature some form of USA against the world?” Silver said on FS1. “I’m not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I obviously paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did (with its ‘4 Nations Face Off’ All-Star event earlier this year), which was a huge success. … But also, going back, last summer, our Olympic competition was a huge success.”

As Reynolds writes, the biggest sticking point for the NBA is that approximately 70% of the NBA’s players are American, with just 30% from other countries. So even though some of the game’s biggest stars – including Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic – could represent the “world” team, a format that requires 12 non-U.S. players to be named All-Stars would likely result in some glaring snubs among U.S. players.

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • Veteran point guard Ricky Rubio, who announced his retirement from the NBA in January 2024, played for Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 season before taking ’24/25 off. The 34-year-old Spaniard published a message on social media on Thursday that could be interpreted as either a hint at his retirement as a player or a signal that he isn’t done yet. “I took this year to reflect on my career and my life, and I’ve realized that if I’ve gotten to where I am today, it’s not because of the assists I’ve given, but because of the assists I’ve received,” Rubio wrote (via Twitter). “This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a thank you to all the people who have helped me along the way.”
  • Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports identifies seven of his favorite “sleepers” in this year’s draft, naming UNC’s Drake Powell, Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard, Kentucky’s Koby Brea, and four others as prospects capable of outperforming their probable draft slots.
  • Richard Deitsch and Andrew Marchand of The Athletic dig into the NBA’s media landscape, with Marchand noting that the league’s new partners, Amazon and NBC, will be keeping an eye on players nearing the end of their respective careers who might be interested in transitioning to broadcasting. That group includes Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James, according to Marchand, who adds that Steve Kerr would qualify too if he moves on from coaching in the coming years.
Repost Share Send via email

Shams: LeBron James Likely To Opt In For 2025/26

May 27th, 2025 at 2:12pm CST by Luke Adams

Asked during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday about LeBron James‘ future, ESPN’s Shams Charania said the Lakers star appears likely to exercise his $52.6MM player option for the 2025/26 season (YouTube link).

“I’m told he’s likely to opt in. … That’s likely, that’s the plan,” Charania said. “But his option date is June 29, so he still has about a month to figure it out. There’s going to be some hard conversations that are going to happen between him (and) the Lakers, seeing what this team looks like. Because whether he plays one more season or a few more seasons, he wants to be in a competitive environment.

“… He’s probably going to opt in because the option is so big. And then that gives you flexibility to figure out, do you extend off that number or…if this is the last hurrah, essentially.”

When the Lakers’ season came to an end a few weeks ago, James expressed uncertainty about his NBA future and didn’t confirm that he’d return to Los Angeles in 2025/26 or even continue his playing career at all.

However, it has always seemed highly unlikely that James would announce his retirement this summer, and there has been no indication in recent years that he has any interest in leaving L.A., despite some up-and-down seasons during his time with the Lakers. With Luka Doncic now in the picture, there’s a newfound reason for optimism for the franchise, seemingly reducing the odds of a LeBron exit.

[RELATED: LeBron James Says MCL Sprain Is ‘Getting Better’]

Given that context, Charania’s report makes sense, though it’s worth noting that if he opts in, James would be earning less than his maximum salary (projected to be $54.1MM) and wouldn’t have the ability to sign an extension before that contract expires next summer. So even if he wants to just commit for one more season with the Lakers and then leave his options open in 2026, he could still end up turning down his player option in order to sign a new one-year contract.

Assuming James returns for the ’25/26 season, it would be his 23rd year in the NBA, which would be a new league record. LeBron’s 22 seasons in the NBA puts him in a tie with Vince Carter for the current mark.

Repost Share Send via email

LeBron James Says MCL Sprain Is ‘Getting Better’

May 24th, 2025 at 6:17pm CST by Arthur Hill

LeBron James is making progress with the knee injury he suffered in the Lakers‘ final playoff game.

In a recent edition of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash, James stated that his left MCL sprain is “getting better” (hat tip to Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation). He adds that the most difficult part of the process is having to remain relatively inactive while the knee heals.

“That’s the most challenging thing,” James said. “Even though I can’t do much as far as like lower body stuff, I’m still like in the weight room, still getting in upper body. The one thing I am able to do a little bit is ride like a stationary bike just to kind of keep the blood flowing and things of that nature, keep the flexibility as much as possible in the knee. But I’m not a guy that likes to sit around. I have a lot of energy and I hate sitting around, so this has definitely been, almost two weeks after the season, they always tell you to take time off and I’m just not that guy. I’m going crazy right now, for sure.”

James remained in the news this week by earning second-team All-NBA honors. He turned in an unprecedented campaign for a 40-year-old — averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games — and received All-NBA recognition for the 21st straight year.

“ALL NBA at 40!! Low key crazy to me right now! Sitting here watching the playoffs just thinking about it,” James tweeted. “Blessed beyond I can even imagine.”

James has a $52.6MM player option for next season, but in the aftermath of the Lakers’ playoff loss, he expressed uncertainty about whether he plans to continue playing, and it appears that stance hasn’t changed. His agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, wasn’t able to offer any insight into James’ plans during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, per Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.

Helin states that the expectation around the league is that James will be back for at least another year, as he was energized by the chance to play alongside his son, Bronny James, and to team up with Luka Doncic. Whatever James’ decision turns out to be, Paul indicated that he won’t rush into it.

“I have no idea, zero. Normally our process is, kind of weigh everything and see how he’s feeling and all those type of things,” Paul said. “… Same process it’s been for the last I don’t know how many years. … He’ll come around to what he’s thinking at some point and we’ll kind of go over some things and go from there.”

Repost Share Send via email

2024/25 All-NBA Teams Announced

May 23rd, 2025 at 6:09pm CST by Eli Cohen

The 2024/25 All-NBA teams have been officially announced by the league (Twitter link).

A total of 100 media members voted on the All-NBA teams, with First Team votes counting for five points, Second Team votes counting for three points, and Third Team votes counting for one point.

This year’s All-NBA teams are as follows:

First Team

Second Team

Third Team

The top four vote-getters, Antetounmpo, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Tatum, were all unanimous selections to the First Team. James led the Second Team with 17 First Team votes, compared to Mitchell’s 61. Cunningham was the only member of the Third Team to receive First Team votes (six) — he also earned 10 more Second Team votes than the next closest vote-getter, as Towns had 40.

This announcement marks the first All-NBA selections for Cunningham, Mobley, and Williams, and – on the other side of the coin – the 21st consecutive selection for James. No other player in NBA history has been named to more than 15 All-NBA teams.

Curry set a franchise record with his 11th All-NBA selection. Edwards became just the fourth Timberwolves player to be named to multiple All-NBA teams, joining Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, and Towns.

Other players who received votes, along with their respective point totals, were the Rockets‘ Alperen Sengun (58), the Grizzlies‘ Jaren Jackson Jr. (55), the Clippers‘ Ivica Zubac (15), the Cavaliers‘ Darius Garland (6), the Kings‘ Domantas Sabonis (4), the Pacers‘ Pascal Siakam (4), the Heat‘s Bam Adebayo (3), the Hawks‘ Trae Young (3), and the Suns‘ Devin Booker (2).

The Cavs, Knicks, and Thunder were the only teams to feature multiple All-NBA players. Both the Thunder and Knicks are currently playing in the conference finals for a shot at advancing to the NBA finals.

This is the second year that All-NBA teams have been positionless and have required players to meet a 65-game minimum to qualify for consideration.

Several players, starting with Cunningham, gained or lost eligibility for salary increases due to the All-NBA results. We have more details here.

Repost Share Send via email

LeBron James Opens Up About Knee Injury

May 9th, 2025 at 5:57pm CST by Eli Cohen

After going down in the middle of the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Timberwolves with a knee injury, LeBron James was able to return to the court and finish the game. But in the wake of the Lakers‘ loss, which ended their season, it was revealed that he had suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain.

In an episode of James’ “Mind The Game” podcast with Steve Nash, the Lakers star shed more light on that injury and his path forward.

“I knew as soon as when the impact happened with me and [Donte] DiVincenzo, I felt it right away,” James said. “My knee locked up, and that’s why I kind of stayed on the ground for quite a minute to see if the knee will kind of release a little bit. But I knew right then and there was a pain that I hadn’t felt before.”

James reflected on the latter point, discussing how this was a unique experience in his 22-year career: “I’ve had the regular tendonitis and the patella, all that stuff, but this is the first time I’ve ever had a sustained knee injury where I had to, like, okay, you got to get off your feet.”

James told Nash that he had initially planned on waiting and assessing his pain level before getting his MRI, but when he woke up the next day, he knew it was dire enough to get the situation checked out immediately.

“Well, when I woke up Thursday morning and tried to get out of bed, I was like, holy s–t,” he said. “And I called Doc right away. I said, ‘I can’t wait till Friday. I need to go today.'”

James confirmed that if the Lakers had won Game 5, he likely would’ve been unavailable for the rest of the series “and even further.”

If there’s a silver lining to the injury – other than the fact that thanks to the Wolves taking care of business in five games, James’ record of playing in 292 straight playoff games without missing time to injury remains intact – it’s that his recovery process won’t involve surgery. With the season behind James and the Lakers, he has plenty of time to complete the four-to-six week rehab period and still get the rest of his conditioning in before next season starts.

While James has been noncommittal about his future, both in the NBA and with the Lakers in light of his looming player option for the 2025/26 season, his comments seemed to indicate his plans on playing next season.

“I have some time to get it right and get back to full strength as far as I need,” he told Nash.

Repost Share Send via email

Lakers Notes: Doncic, LeBron, Redick, Offseason

May 2nd, 2025 at 9:52pm CST by Luke Adams

Luka Doncic, who will become extension-eligible this summer, will have several different options available to him if he wants to sign a new deal with the Lakers. His maximum contract as of August 2 would be worth a projected $229MM over four years, but it might be more favorable for him in the long term for him to sign a three-year deal with a third-year option that would allow him to opt out in 2028, when he has 10 years of NBA experience and qualifies for a salary worth 35% of the cap.

Team sources tell Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic that the Lakers would be amenable to whatever kind of contract Doncic wants, while sources close to the star guard tell ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he’ll likely take his time with the decision.

A source close to Doncic tells ESPN that the five-time All-Star feels “wanted” in Los Angeles, so it seems possible that he’ll make some sort of commitment to his new team this summer. For what it’s worth, LeBron James told ESPN that he’d love to see Doncic in Los Angles long term but won’t be trying to influence his teammate’s decision.

“No, that ain’t my job,” James said, per McMenamin. “I think … I don’t think, I know, Luka knows how I feel about him. And ultimately, that trade happened for the future. That’s not for me. Luka has to decide what he has to do with his future. He’s (26) years old, I’m 40, so he can’t be basing his career off me. That’s just real.

“But I hope, obviously, (he stays long term). Laker fans f—ing love him here. L.A. has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But ultimately, he’s got to make a decision for him. S–t, I ain’t going to be around much longer.”

Here’s more on the Lakers:

  • James will have a contract decision of his own to make this summer, and while a return to the Lakers seems likely, team and league sources who spoke to Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic wouldn’t entirely rule out the possibility of the four-time MVP finishing his career elsewhere. Assuming he remains in Los Angeles, LeBron isn’t expected to consider taking a pay cut, according to Buha and Amick. A year ago, James shaved approximately $2.7MM off his max deal to help the team remain under the second tax apron and reportedly would’ve accepted an even bigger discount if the front office had been able to land one of the four free agent targets on his wish list (James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson, or Jonas Valanciunas).
  • First-year head coach J.J. Redick came under fire for his handling of the Lakers’ rotation in the first-round playoff series vs. Minnesota, as well as his abrupt exit from a press conference prior to Game 5. However, team sources tell Buha and Amick that the Lakers remain high on Redick’s future with the organization and were aware there might be some “growing pains” in year one. Redick also seems to have the full support of the locker room, with Doncic and James both expressing support for him after the team’s Game 5 loss. “I think he’s a hell of a coach,” Doncic said, per McMenamin. “I’m really glad I got coached by him these couple of months. It feels sometimes like I’m back in Europe a little bit. So I love it. We have a great bond. It’s been nothing but amazing with him as a coach.”
  • Both Redick and Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka preached patience following the club’s midseason roster shake-up, as Khobi Price of The Orange County Register relays. “These things take time, particularly with the star players,” Redick said. “There’s a reason in the modern NBA history, go back the last 30, 40 years, there’s been less than a handful of All-Star players traded in-season that led directly to a championship. These things take time.” Pelinka agreed, noting that the offseason will give the Lakers an opportunity to continue building around their stars: “When you make a seismic trade at the deadline, your roster and the building around it, it’s kind of like trying to build an airplane in the sky. Now we get a chance to land that plane, put it in the hangar, and really figure out the parts of it that we need to retrofit and change. That’s what we’ll do.”
  • As disappointing as their five-game playoff exit was, the Lakers provided a number of reasons for optimism and hope going forward, writes Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times.
  • In case you missed it, Pelinka confirmed on Thursday that upgrading the frontcourt will be one of the Lakers’ top priorities this summer.
Repost Share Send via email
Load More Posts