Latest news with #JovanBuha
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers reporter suggests former Warriors guard as free agent target
When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers' roster needs this offseason, most are focused on how much the team needs a starting-caliber center. But the Lakers are also in need of improved guard and wing depth. Problem is, they have a limited number of trade assets and very little, if any, salary cap flexibility. That means they will need to sign a couple of players to the veteran's minimum salary who will provide good value. Advertisement Jovan Buha, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, suggested during a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that guard De'Anthony Melton could be a decent free agent option for the team. "I really like Melton as a flyer. I think, at this point, he's gonna be a vet-minimum guy… I think he's a guy who, for a vet minimum contract, you could do a lot worse,' said Buha. Melton was a second-round draft pick in 2018 out of the University of Southern California. He has been known as a strong defender, especially on opposing ball-handling guards, and although he stands a modest 6-foot-3, he has a wingspan of 6-foot-8 and weighs a somewhat stocky 200 pounds. He has become a reliable 3-point shooter over the last few years, and he possesses ample quickness that especially helps him on the defensive end. However, Melton tore his ACL early this season back in November. The guard, who was traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Brooklyn Nets in December, may not be able to earn that much money this summer as a result. Advertisement If he's available for the veteran minimum's salary, perhaps the Lakers should at least consider him on a one-year deal. He is a native of the Southland who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, so perhaps he could be enticed to come back home. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reporter suggests former Warriors guard as free agent target
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers reporter suggests former Warriors guard as free agent target
Lakers reporter suggests former Warriors guard as free agent target When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers' roster needs this offseason, most are focused on how much the team needs a starting-caliber center. But the Lakers are also in need of improved guard and wing depth. Problem is, they have a limited number of trade assets and very little, if any, salary cap flexibility. That means they will need to sign a couple of players to the veteran's minimum salary who will provide good value. Jovan Buha, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, suggested during a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that guard De'Anthony Melton could be a decent free agent option for the team. "I really like Melton as a flyer. I think, at this point, he's gonna be a vet-minimum guy… I think he's a guy who, for a vet minimum contract, you could do a lot worse,' said Buha. Melton was a second-round draft pick in 2018 out of the University of Southern California. He has been known as a strong defender, especially on opposing ball-handling guards, and although he stands a modest 6-foot-3, he has a wingspan of 6-foot-8 and weighs a somewhat stocky 200 pounds. He has become a reliable 3-point shooter over the last few years, and he possesses ample quickness that especially helps him on the defensive end. However, Melton tore his ACL early this season back in November. The guard, who was traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Brooklyn Nets in December, may not be able to earn that much money this summer as a result. If he's available for the veteran minimum's salary, perhaps the Lakers should at least consider him on a one-year deal. He is a native of the Southland who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, so perhaps he could be enticed to come back home.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Nets trade for Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara?
The Brooklyn Nets have plenty of cap space and draft assets to play with this summer as they are looking to reshape the roster after a 26-56 record in the 2024-25 season. While Brooklyn is expected to add some young talent in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, they could also be looking for players to trade for if the price is considered a value. "I have heard that the Blazers want something like two firsts for Camara," The Athletic's Jovan Buha said of Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara during an episode of his "Buha's Block" podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Scott Polacek). Buha was answering a hypothetical trade offer that would send Camara and Deandre Ayton from Portland to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick. Advertisement Camara is not necessarily considered to be available for trade given what he did during his second season in the NBA after being the 52nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Camara, 25, averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 37.5% from three-point land in 78 games played for the Trail Blazers. Not only that, but Camara is coming off a season in which he made All-Defensive Second Team, showing how much he grew as a player on the defensive end as well as the offensive end. What this means for the Nets is that someone like Camara could bring a level of defensive ability that the team hasn't seen since Jason Kidd during his days playing for the franchise in New Jersey. Brooklyn has four first-round picks to use in the 2025 Draft, but it's possible that they would rather use those picks on players in this class rather than paying a premium for a player that could have already reached his ceiling. It would be easier for the Nets to either take chances on players in the Draft or use their cap space to invest in players like Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, for example, to avoid having to use their draft picks as well. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Should the Nets trade for Trail Blazers' Toumani Camara?
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA insider reveals Portland Trail Blazers' potential asking price for Toumani Camara
We're still eagerly awaiting to see who wins the NBA Finals between the top contenders in the Eastern and Western Conference. Meanwhile, other teams, like the Portland Trail Blazers are formulating their offseason plans on how to improve the roster around players like Toumani Camara. Yet, Camara, who was just selected as a second-team All-NBA defender, certainly is a potential building block. However, the Blazers may prefer to capitalize on the 25-year-old rising star's surging trade value instead. Though, if the Blazers do consider trading the 2023 second-round pick, how much would he fetch? Advertisement The Athletic's Jovan Buha recently took a crack at placing Camara's trade value around the league based on what he's heard. According to Buha, Camara's trade value could be as high as two first-round picks. 'I have heard that the Blazers want something like two firsts for Camara, so maybe they view Dalton and a first as sufficient, but I think Portland probably says no, to be honest.' The Athletic's Jovan Buha on Toumani Camara Camara may have been a bit of a hidden gem until receiving recognition from the league. Yet, Camara did enjoy a breakout season with 11.3 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 1.5 steals, and half a block per game. Keep in mind, this was just the Belgian native's second year in the league. Who knows how high his ceiling could be? Still trying to build a contender, it may be wise for the Blazers to see what Camara is fully capable of before weighing a trade that would ship him out for more draft picks. Yet, if there's a player they covet, like the Los Angeles Lakers' Dalton Knecht, perhaps a deal could be had. Related: Milwaukee Bucks preparing for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this offseason
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jovan Buha on LeBron James' relationship with Lakers and whether he will leave this summer
Jovan Buha on LeBron James' relationship with Lakers and whether he will leave this summer Many, if not most, people expect LeBron James, who has a player option for next season that he can decline, to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for at least one more year. His family has established roots in the Southland over the last several years, and after all, his son, Bronny, plays in the Lakers organization. But there is always a chance the elder James leaves the Lakers this summer. He has historically had his own personal agenda that doesn't necessarily line up with that of his current team, and he has a tendency to be passive-aggressive and keep his cards close to the vest as far as his future plans. On a recent episode of his "Buha's Block" podcast, Jovan Buha, the Lakers' beat writer for The Athletic, said that while the 40-year-old's relationship with the organization has had some challenges, he expects the superstar to be back next season. "I mean, I think there's always a chance that LeBron could walk," Buha said. "As we've reported at The Athletic multiple times, and it hasn't just been me, Sam Amick has also reported this, the relationship has been a little frosty at times. It hasn't always been the warmest over the past couple of years. "But I've said it before, I think LeBron's going to be a Laker next year. The only question is whether he's opting in or opting out and re-signing." The elder James continued to play at a high level this season and averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game this season. ESPN insider Shams Charania said a few weeks ago that he expects the four-time MVP to opt into the final year of his current contract. If James' main motivation is winning another NBA championship, the Lakers would, in all likelihood, give him his best chance of doing so. He now has Luka Doncic by his side, and by all accounts, the franchise is very intent on adding a starting-level defensive center and better guard and wing depth this offseason.
