matthew.valento

@LakersNation staff writer

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

I was joined by @OVOLakeShow and @daniel_rios72 on the Basketball Banter show to break down if the Lakers have a chance to knock off the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first round.

Feel free to check it out and subscribe!

https://t.co/Gi38TfAAUy

[Sam Amick @sam_amick]

Difficult day for the Jazz on the optics front: Here you have Darryn Peterson refusing to work out for the team with the No. 2 pick, one year after Ace Bailey did the same (when they had No. 5).

Meanwhile, sources tell @TheAthletic that a player who does want to be there - big man Walker Kessler - is at odds with the front office over his lack of an extension offer last summer and the current handling of his restricted free agency.

More to come…

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Jalen Brunson just became the greatest Knick of all time

[Mike @mhc_76]

It’s so insane that people in San Antonio are just expected to wake up tomorrow morning and go to work like nothing happened

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

I’m speechless, I have no words what I just watched

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

I miss the dopamine hits of seeing your favorite team making a signing/trade. Hurry up free agency

[Josh Hart @joshhart]

You couldn’t teach the type of Hate Watch I’m on today

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Think this is a really bad move from the NBA, but I guess we will see

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Breaking: The NBA's Board of Governors has passed new anti-tanking rules that include expanding the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams, a relegation zone where the bottom 3 teams get penalized with lessened chances for the No. 1 pick, and flattened odds, sources tell ESPN.

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

The fact that Luka got second team votes is just hilarious

[Trevor Lane @TrevorLane]

Lakers star Luka Doncic was named to the All-NBA first team

[Luca Rosano @lucarosano3]

Spurs got the split. They’ll be fine.

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

The Portland Trail Blazers owner’s eyes just lit up

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Kidd had four years and well over $40 million left on his Mavericks contract, sources said. Ujiri and Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont reached the decision this week to move on.

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

He prob wants another head coaching gig, but you’re always welcome in LA

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

BREAKING: Jason Kidd is out as coach of the Dallas Mavericks. New Mavericks president Masai Ujiri is making a coaching change.

[Richard Staple, BSN, RN🇯🇲 @RichStapless]

Ngl this was the first time I collapsed to the floor watching a regular season game.

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

I’m already antsy to see what the Lakers do this summer. Can we sim to free agency?

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Trying to trade for Podz should be a fireable offense

[Fullcourtpass @Fullcourtpass]

Daryl Morey attempted to trade for the following players at the trade deadline, per @SixersAdam

Brandon Podziemski
Jalen Smith
Aaron Wiggins
Tari Eason
Saddiq Bey
Naji Marshall
Donte DiVincenzo
Ryan Dunn

(h/t @SixersJustin)

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Immensely sad news, wow

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies has died at 29 years old. RIP.

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Whatttttt

[Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto]

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has passed away at 29 years old. Clarke was a first-round draft pick in 2019 and was an All-Rookie First Team selection. He averaged 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in seven NBA seasons for Memphis. Thoughts and prayers to his loved ones 🙏🏼

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Well judging by this Woike piece, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive in upgrading this roster. Along with promising Luka that they’d do so. Let’s see if they live up to their word…

[coach xavier @thexavierjoseph]

🔗 https://t.co/hqjbuaDuES

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

I will tell my kids and grandkids about the March 2026 Los Angeles Lakers

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

Lakers competed that’s all I could ask for given the circumstances

[matthew.valento @matthewvalento]

May I ask what Marcus Smart is doing on the basketball court?