Just in: Free agent F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal to sign with Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option for the fourth season, sources tell ESPN. Big fully guaranteed deal for George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports.
The Lakers now have no tradeable first-round picks over the next seven years and have committed $475 million to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler, per @BrettSiegelNBA
“I've already had a couple of people from Eastern Conference contenders text me like, we would really not like (Kawhi to to Toronto) to happen. Like that team gets pretty scary pretty fast.”
— @ZachLowe_NBA
After eight seasons with the Lakers, including leading the franchise to the 2020 NBA championship, James departs and enters free agency set to join a new team.
Lakers president Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul spoke a short time ago about the four-time champion's plans, sources said. James chose to inform the Lakers well before start of free agency tonight out of courtesy and appreciation for their run together, and to allow LA to conduct its offseason business.
Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter are off limits from the Raptors in a potential Kawhi Leonard trade, per @michaelgrange.
Toronto and the Clippers continue to negotiate a Kawhi blockbuster throughout today.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, sources tell ESPN.
The Raptors have the necessary salaries on their roster to potentially acquire both Kawhi Leonard and Ja Morant, if they so desire:
Toronto: Kawhi + Ja
Clippers: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, draft compensation
Grizzlies: Immanuel Quickley + Jakob Poeltl
Pick the Toronto Raptors next guard
Kyrie Irving
Ja Morant
Jamal Murray
Devin Booker
Derrick White
Jalen Suggs
Jrue Holiday
De'Aaron Fox
Zach LaVine
Dejounte Murray
Andrew Nembhard
Cason Wallace
Reed Sheppard
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN.
🚨 MOCK TRADE 🚨
A trade with @BucksLead that sees us get the #10 pick in a stacked draft class, along with Kuz and Bobby Portis! They also drag along the Giannis saga for another year because they like the attention.
Thoughts? 🤔
#WeTheNorth
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has signed a shoe endorsement contract with Chinese company Li-Ning -- a landmark 10-year deal, sources tell ESPN. Li-Ning extends his Curry Brand venture globally and encompasses basketball products, athleisure, the ability for Curry to sign athletes under his brand, and a full golf line.