Lakers Predicted to Make Major Offseason Roster Upgrade After $10 Billion Sale: Report
Lakers Predicted to Make Major Offseason Roster Upgrade After $10 Billion Sale: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Los Angeles Lakers aren't done making headlines.
That's the main takeaway from an NBA team that has enjoyed one of the most active years so far.
Advertisement
After flipping 10-time All-Star center Anthony Davis — who was the second-best player on L.A.'s latest championship team, in 2020 — 3-and-D shooting guard Max Christie, and a 2029 first round draft pick to the Dallas Mavericks for five-time All-NBA First Teamer Luka Doncic, center/power forward Maxi Kleber, and combo forward Markieff Morris, Los Angeles totally reset its title window.
Doncic was fresh off bringing the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals at the time, and though he was somewhat limited by a calf injury, he was still an exciting force, helping the Lakers finish with a 50-32 record and the Western Conference's No. 3 seed.
Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka speaks before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Still, the Lakers were exposed in the West playoffs, falling to the lower-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in a five-game first round series.
Advertisement
During a recent appearance on ESPN's "Get Up" morning show, NBA insider Brian Windhorst (hat tip to @LakersBetter) revealed that Los Angeles is expected to make a huge personnel change following the Buss family's reported $10 billion sale of the franchise to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.
'The market right now doesn't look super available for centers, but things are going to be changing over the next couple of weeks, and I do expect them, at some point, to make a significant move," Windhorst said. "They have some ammunition, both in tradeable contracts and draft capital—capital that they used to try to get Mark Williams until they rescinded that trade back in February. So they've shown interest in trying to be aggressive.'
Beyond Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, currently starring in the NBA Finals, the free agent centers available are all somewhat limited. Players like Brook Lopez and Clint Capela could likely be had for the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception.
Advertisement
Los Angeles has slowly rebuilt its draft equity now, and to Windhorst's point boasts multiple movable mid-tier contracts (plus one intriguing young player in 2024-25 rookie wing Dalton Knecht, who was a key piece in the scuttled Williams deal with the Charlotte Hornets) it could attach in a deal for a seasoned center. The Lakers need to shore up their frontcourt, especially defensively, if they hope to compete against the Oklahoma City Thunders and Denver Nuggets of the world.
Related: Buss Family Selling Lakers Ownership Stake: Report
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
21 minutes ago
- New York Times
Cubs notes: Pete Crow-Armstrong fastest in team history to reach 20-20 mark
CHICAGO — Only the rain can keep Pete Crow-Armstrong from making headlines. After a brilliant display of both defense and power from Crow-Armstrong on Tuesday night, Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers was washed out. But on a beautiful Thursday at Wrigley Field in front of 41,078 fans, Crow-Armstrong was at it again. The dynamic center fielder slugged his 20th homer of the season to become the fastest Cubs player to reach the 20-homer, 20-stolen base mark in team history. 'It feels like we're talking about him every day, which is incredible,' starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said after the Cubs' 8-7 loss. 'He's doing something fun out there on the field every day. Not super surprised. He's fun to watch, he's super talented and he works hard.' SCHEDULED PCA TWEET. — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 19, 2025 It took Crow-Armstrong just 73 games to get to 20-20, topping Sammy Sosa, who needed 96 games to get there in 1994. Only three other big-leaguers have reached the mark quicker than Crow-Armstrong: Eric Davis in 46 games (1987), Jose Canseco needed 68 (1998), and four years ago, Fernando Tatis Jr. got there in 71 games. Advertisement 'It's really cool to see him step into that role and become a star,' Taillon said. 'He's always had that air about him. But to watch him put in the work, make some adjustments — he's hit some pretty low lows in the big leagues. To be able to punch back and be who he is today is a testament to Pete.' Crow-Armstrong kept it simple, saying, 'It's an honor,' as he spoke to the media after the game for what's becoming a regular postgame session. He has a 140 wRC+ (22nd in baseball) and a 4.1 WAR, tops in the National League. He's not just an MVP candidate, but one of the most exciting talents in today's game as he emerges as one of the faces of baseball. As good as he's been, his manager has a simple message: Don't stop. 'Let's keep it going,' Craig Counsell said. 'He's having a great season. Those are nice round numbers, but let's make 'em crooked again.' Oh, to be young and good at baseball. — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 19, 2025 Taillon exited after just four innings and 68 pitches Thursday after giving up five runs, including two homers. That put him at 18 homers allowed on the season, tied for the second most in baseball. 'It's not great,' Taillon said. 'I'm a guy who gives up a lot of fly balls. I've given up homers my entire career. That said, you prefer they be solo homers.' Thirteen of Taillon's homers allowed have been of the solo variety this season. However, on Thursday, he walked Isaac Collins after getting ahead 0-2 and then gave up a long ball to Caleb Durbin on a cutter over the heart of the plate. 'It's one of those things that when I'm scouting teams, I need to probably be even more aware of where their damage is,' Taillon said. 'I like pitching to my strengths, I like doing my thing. But now it's to a point where it's like, 'Where are guys hitting homers? Where are they doing damage? Where should I avoid?' Being up there in the top couple in homers is not something you want to be known for.' Advertisement Taillon is a student of the game and never one to shy away from putting in the work. He'll surely put in the time to see if he can make the needed adjustments. One of his primary areas of concern is his sweeper, which hasn't been as effective this season compared to last year. 'I gave up a homer today to Rhys Hoskins on a slider,' Taillon said. 'That was a pitch for me that was so good last year, and this year I don't have the same feel for it. I'd really like to right the ship there.' Last season, batters hit .181 with a .293 slugging percentage and just three homers off his sweeper. This season, entering play Thursday, Taillon was giving up a .259 batting average with a .552 slugging percentage on the offering. That was before allowing the homer to Hoskins, the fifth time he's allowed a round-tripper on the sweeper. With Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar all dominating out of the bullpen, Chris Flexen has almost gone overlooked. Well, as overlooked as one can be with a 0.00 ERA. For pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched, Flexen leads baseball with his pristine ERA. Pomeranz, who threw another shutout frame, also boasts a 0.00 ERA, but he's 2/3 of an inning shy of the 20 mark. With the Cubs trailing 8-3 after five innings, Flexen came in and tossed three shutout frames. That ties his longest outing of the season, which also came against the Brewers in his first outing with the Cubs on May 2. Flexen not only gave the Cubs a chance for a comeback Thursday, but he also made sure Counsell didn't have to go to too many other relievers. 'He's pitching really, really well,' Counsell said. 'Kind of anticipated him pitching in the longer situations more. He hasn't done it in a while, so to come out and be able to give us three innings, it's going to help us this weekend. Absolutely. An excellent job by Chris.' Advertisement By only using three relievers after getting just four innings from their starter, Flexen's outing is huge for the Cubs. Especially after Wednesday's rainout, the reliever arms should be fresh for a weekend set against the Mariners. At some point, both Flexen and Pomeranz will give up runs. But what they've done this season is nothing short of masterful. It's a testament to the Cubs' pitching infrastructure, their ability to acquire and maximize undervalued pitching, and the pitchers, who have put in the work.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jaylen Brown, Derrick White Trade Rumors Receive Major Update
Jaylen Brown, Derrick White Trade Rumors Receive Major Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Celtics are aiming to get under the NBA's second tax apron. They can try various ways to do so, as they have plenty of expensive contracts on their payroll that trading away would do a lot of good for them to accomplish that goal. Advertisement The usual suspects have been Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, both of whom will be paid over $30 million next season. Boston is better with them than without them, but they are more expendable than some of their other players on nine-figure contracts, like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. Brown and White are also getting paid a hefty sum for what they bring to the court. Boston Celtics guards Jaylen Brown (7) and Derrick White (9)© David Butler II–USA TODAY Sports The difference between them and the likes of Holiday and Porzingis is that because they are more vital to the Celtics' success, not only would trading them get them under the second tax apron, but they would also get the Celtics some valuable assets back. Advertisement For that same reason, Brown and White likely aren't going anywhere. ESPN's Shams Charania revealed on "The Pat McAfee Show" that teams are trying to ante up for White and Brown, but the Celtics' price is too high. 'I'm sure teams are throwing crazy offers out for guys like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White,' he said. 'But it'll take a pretty insurmountable package to get those guys out of Boston.' This all signifies that, despite Jayson Tatum being out indefinitely, the Celtics still believe that he, Brown, and White are a good enough core to lead the team to more titles. The question will be who else Boston will put around them to make that happen. Advertisement Related: Potential Celtics-Mavericks Trade Emerges After Cooper Flagg News Related: Celtics Had Two Words for Jaylen Brown Amid Trade Rumors This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fever coach Stephanie White to miss game for personal reasons for 2nd time this season
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, right, talks with referee Jenna Reneau in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White will miss Thursday night's game against Golden State for personal reasons, team officials announced. Austin Kelly will fill in as acting head coach as the Fever and star Caitlin Clark visit Chase Center and the expansion Valkyries for the first time. Advertisement It's the second time this season White has been away for personal reasons. She also missed Indiana's June 7 game at Chicago. Fever officials did not say whether White was dealing with the same issue. The absence comes two days after White criticized the referees following Indiana's victory over Connecticut. That game was marred by two shoving matches, with the first involving Clark. 'Everybody's getting better — except the officials,' White said, noting she first started complaining in the first quarter when she sensed a confrontation was brewing. 'So we got to find a way to remedy it. I mean, you've heard every coach talk about it, so I don't know what the answer is.' White was not fined for those comments, though she did draw a fine earlier this year for previous comments criticizing referees. Advertisement Three players were ejected from Tuesday's game and while nobody was suspended by the league, the Sun's Marina Mabry had a Flagrant-1 foul upgraded to a Flagrant-2 for shoving Clark, and Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was fined for a hard foul in the game's final minute. ___ AP WNBA:
