Latest news with #KyrieIrving
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA rookies: 5 big questions for this year's class, including Cooper Flagg's fit and Yang Hansen's hype
The 2025-26 NBA calendar year is upon us. The draft is over, and so is most of free agency. While some rosters still need tweaking and adjusting, we know for the most part how teams will enter the season. As such, we can start to ponder the big questions, like how the 2025 rookie class — which got its first taste of NBA action during Summer League — will perform in the coming season. How will Cooper Flagg mesh with a roster led by veterans? The Mavericks are in a weird spot, as they feature Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, all in their 30s, and now have to balance that with Flagg, their prized rookie. Whether they believe they have enough to make a title push right now, or hope to win a championship within the next few years, they're going to need Flagg to produce at a near All-Star level in order to turn that dream into reality. Fortunately, despite not turning 19 until December, Flagg is one of the most complete forwards to enter the NBA in a while. Flagg is a 6-foot-9, two-way dynamo who will likely defend at an NBA level right off the bat, just as he'll be able to rebound, push the ball in transition, and score in a role as the secondary or tertiary offensive option. While it's impossible to pencil him in for a certain stat line, Flagg should be, at minimum, a high-end production starter from opening day, making the fit with Davis, Irving (when he returns from injury), Thompson, and D'Angelo Russell much more seamless. Will the Nets have a rookie who pops? The Brooklyn Nets more or less built a brand new starting lineup in the first round of this year's draft, which is impressive in its own right. But looking at each pick individually, you have to wonder if any of the rookies are ready to make a big impact in their debut season. Egor Denim was a reach at No. 8, but the 19-year-old guard has size at 6-8 and ball-handling capabilities to become impactful down the road. Nolan Traoré, the French international, is slight and still an inefficient shooter. Like Denim, he could use a year or two of seasoning before he's ready to contribute. Drake Powell is an athletic monster who could be a defensive ace sooner than later, but his all-around game remains underdeveloped. Danny Wolf, the 6-11 center out of Michigan, is developed but comes with a set ceiling. He's a wonderful play initiator, but can he ever become a solid post player on both sides of the floor? If anything, it's Ben Saraf, the 6-6 wing from Israel who could come in immediately and produce. The lefty guard/wing has a strong tool belt of skills at his disposal, in particular as a passer and as an aggressor when going toward the rim. His solid frame will also help him against NBA defenders. If his shot comes along, there's certainly something there. What role will Dylan Harper play in San Antonio? Remember when the Spurs had basically no point guard during Victor Wembanyama's rookie season? Well, now they're loaded at the position. San Antonio will have to juggle between De'Aaron Fox, Harper, and Stephon Castle, while having to play them at off-guard at times just to fit everyone in. Harper was the second player chosen in last month's draft, and his upside is substantial. He's a big 6-6 guard with a 6-10 wingspan and a developed frame, and he has a game that lends itself well to the NBA via his ability to pressure defenses at the rim, and pass out of screen-and-roll action. If that sounds familiar to what Fox provides, you're not mistaken. Fox, like Harper, is best with the ball in his hands, and offers many of the same attributes. This can have benefits, however, as the Spurs can install a consistent system, which runs regardless of whether it's Fox or Harper on the floor. Most teams have to alter their play calling when they go to their second unit, but the Spurs can run many of the same actions due to the similarities between the two, particularly when Wembanyama is on the floor. Harper, despite the crowded backcourt, should be able to find his way in such a streamlined system. How is Ace Bailey best developed? The Utah Jazz are clearly tanking this coming season, as they shipped away several veterans to open up minutes for the youngsters, which includes Bailey, who will enter this season with the greenest of lights to do, well, whatever. That might prove fruitful, in the sense that Bailey's green light could carry him toward stardom, or it might have the opposite effect of having him lean into empty numbers and become this era's Michael Beasley, which surely isn't the scenario Utah envisioned when it picked him fifth overall. There isn't a set formula, and that's what we all need to remind ourselves of when it comes to Bailey. Some players, like LeBron James, flourished under a green light as a rookie, in large part because he was mature and responsible enough to learn from the mistakes he made along the way. Others, like Jimmy Butler, needed years to get ready despite a long college career, and had to take several steps before they were ready to handle a significant offensive load. Which path is best for Bailey? It could be either of those, or even something in-between. Responsible freedom is, arguably, the best approach to any project, and in the case of Bailey, there has to be communication between him and the coaching staff, where both sides are ready to engage in some give-and-take. Yang Hansen: Question mark? Okay, look. Yang was off the board earlier than virtually everyone expected, but that doesn't mean he'll prove to be a bad pick. NBA teams, for the most part, know what they're doing, and clearly the Blazers felt they needed to grab him early, out of fear someone else would pick him in that same range. Who are we to question that process? If anything, Yang getting picked 16th overall only spices up the regular season, and makes him a particularly interesting player to track across next season. Yang is 7-1, and he hits 3-pointers, blocks shots, rebounds, and passes the ball like a guard. Yet the vast majority of NBA fans and pundits are only somewhat familiar with him — based off the occasional highlight, which would make its way across social media — meaning there are a ton of questions hovering over him as he enters the league. Is he ready to play already? Can he defend in space at the NBA level? Is the 3-point shot legitimate? Are the passes we saw in Summer League something we'll see against real competition? It's going to be enormously fun to find out.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lakers star LeBron James had interest in reuniting with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving
LeBron James had the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Instead, the four-time champion chose to pick up his $52.6 million player option to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for an eighth season. There was speculation that James could request a trade or buyout to land in his preferred destination as there was limited cap space around the league this summer. He appears set to begin the season in Los Angeles, which would mark his longest consecutive tenure with one franchise. Despite the four-time MVP remaining with the Lakers, John Hollinger of The Athletic reported that he showed interest in joining Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving -- two of his former teammates that he won a championship with -- on the Dallas Mavericks. "While he opted in to the final year of his contract and does not appear to be an imminent trade candidate, as our Joe Vardon and Dan Woike reported here, that doesn't necessarily mean returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year deal was at the top of his wish list," The Athletic's John Hollinger wrote Monday. "In particular, the whispers about him having eyes for Dallas — a place where he could have teamed up with former teammates Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving and young phenom Cooper Flagg — before opting into his deal were hard to ignore." Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp "Obviously, James wasn't willing to leave $52 million on the table to take a nontaxpayer MLE or something similar from the Mavericks or another team," Hollinger continued. "A buyout seems similarly unlikely. Additionally, the tax aprons on both sides will make any in-season transaction with a contender-class team challenging." James found himself the subject of trade proposals and buyout rumors for the first time in his illustrious career, which is set to enter an NBA record 23rd season. While he appeared to have some interest in joining the Mavericks, the move seemed unlikely from the moment that he picked up his player option. Instead, the superstar will return to the Lakers, who have made several additions as they look to build the roster around him and Luka Dončić. Los Angeles has added Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart during the offseason -- and appear motivated to continue adding talent. More NBA:
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James had eyes on Mavs, teaming with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Duke phenom Cooper Flagg before opting into Lakers contract
LeBron James had eyes on the Dallas Mavericks – specifically, teaming with two players he won a championship with, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Duke Blue Devils basketball's Cooper Flagg – before he opted into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Athletic's John Hollinger shared that intel while seemingly indicating the LeBron-Mavs possibility is dormant. "In particular, the whispers about him having eyes for Dallas — a place where he could have teamed up with former teammates Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving and young phenom Cooper Flagg — before opting into his deal were hard to ignore,' Hollinger wrote. 'Obviously, James wasn't willing to leave $52 million on the table to take a nontaxpayer MLE or something similar from the Mavericks or another team. A buyout seems similarly unlikely. Additionally, the tax aprons on both sides will make any in-season transaction with a contender-class team challenging.' BasketNews's Vukašin Nedeljković came up with a deal involving James that'd send Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, and Jaden Hardy to Los Angeles, while LeBron, Bronny, and Dalton Knecht would all end up in Dallas. Such a deal is on the road to working now that the Lakers have released Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin. Rob Pelinka would have to continue maneuvering the cap to make it fully work. If James has a thought about wanting out and prefers the Mavs, making a deal sooner rather than later would be ideal. Signing as a free agent after a potential buyout doesn't come with a guarantee that Bronny will remain his teammate. That's an unlikely scenario since LeBron has not taken a pay cut since winning two titles with the Miami Heat at a Big Three discount. James will likely stay in L.A., but it'll forever be hard to ignore ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne and Brian Windhorst planting the seeds that the baton is having a tough time being passed back from LeBron to Luka Doncic.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dallas Mavericks Depth Look Lethal With Cooper Flagg In Frontcourt
Dallas Mavericks Depth Look Lethal With Cooper Flagg In Frontcourt originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Dallas Mavericks have emerged as one of the teams to look out for in the upcoming season. Although their season ended in disappointment after being eliminated from the Play-In tournament, the offseason boasted a lot of promise. The 2025 NBA Draft, in particular, has effectively shifted the way other teams have perceived the Mavericks. By some unbelievable twist of fate, Dallas ended up with the first-overall pick and gained a golden opportunity to draft a franchise cornerstone. With the No. 1 pick in the draft on Wednesday night, the Mavericks fulfilled this promise by drafting Duke star Cooper Flagg, setting off a new plan in motion for the franchise. The selection of Flagg has been viewed favorably across multiple forums. Owing to his latent potential, his star power, and his overall skill, Dallas may have acquired a generational talent to lead their side to glory. As a rookie, there is only so much the Duke forward can do to transform this team. But when considering the sheer experience and potential of this roster when healthy, the Mavericks may be viewed as the underdogs in the West. With this in mind, we take a look at the Dallas Mavericks' roster for the 2025-26 season, as currently constructed. Depth Chart PG: Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy SG: Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Dante Exum SF: Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin PF: Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, Oliver-Maxence Prosper C: Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell It is important to note that Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum are unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason. Losing them would deplete the Mavericks' overall backcourt strength. Meanwhile, the team has an option on whether they wish to keep Dwight Powell or not. While the frontcourt appears to be fairly solid, having backup could still be of use to Dallas, given their history of injured players. The Starting Rotation PG - Kyrie Irving SG - Klay Thompson SF - Cooper Flagg PF - Anthony Davis C - Dereck Lively On paper, the Mavericks may have one of the most formidable starting lineups in the league. With an even balance of veteran experience and young talent, Dallas would enjoy the best of both worlds while featuring a dominant frontcourt. The Mavs will feature Kyrie Irving in the starting point guard slot. Although the star will be sidelined till January, once he returns, the guard is expected to give the roster a massive boost. Before his injury last season, Irving was notching an average of 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. While it is unlikely for him to produce at the same clip after coming back from injury, his creativity on the offensive end will be immense for the team. In his absence, however, the Mavs will look to add reinforcements. In this regard, players such as D'Angelo Russell, Chris Paul, and Malcolm Brogdon have emerged as potential targets for the team. In the shooting guard slot, Dallas will continue to feature Klay Thompson. Thompson certainly isn't the player he used to be, given his drastic reduction in productivity. But his veteran experience and championship pedigree could be invaluable in aiding the development of the Mavericks' newest star. Cooper Flagg is likely to be the team's starting small forward. His ability to handle the ball, his versatility on offense, and his athleticism make him the ideal fit for the role. Additionally, after factoring in his averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game from last season, it is evident that he is flexible enough to adapt to the system or become its focal point. Paired with him in the frontcourt, the Mavericks are likely to feature the big man duo of Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively in their starting rotation. The presence of two defensive stalwarts provides the team with enough rim protection. With additional considerations being made for Davis' offensive output of 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, Dallas possesses enough scoring options in each position. Barring injuries, the starting lineup is fundamentally sound. With a championship pedigree also in place, Flagg may find himself in the ideal environment to cultivate his talents. The Bench As impressive as the Mavs' potential starting lineup can be, their bench also appears to hold strong. The point guard position is the only one where the team may be a little short-staffed. With Dinwiddie becoming an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, the team only has Jaden Hardy to take the starting spot in the absence of Irving. The shooting guard position has more balance. Max Christie showed huge signs of growth as a two-way player last season, recording averages of 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The Mavericks are likely to give the guard more minutes as he finds his footing in the new season. In the small forward slot, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin remain reliable options. Marshall was one of the team's most vital players when the team hit a rough patch. His two-way ability has been critical in dictating game flow. Similarly, Martin's effort on both ends of the floor makes for a valuable contribution as well. Following Davis, the Mavericks are likely to give more playing time to PJ Washington, who has become a crucial part of the team's rotation. Last season, Washington shone, averaging 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Washington's rebounding and his ability to stretch the floor make him invaluable in Dallas' schemes. Similarly, the return of Daniel Gafford will also be a massive boost to the team, completing their big man rotation. The plan of action for the Mavs remains to add reinforcement, particularly in the backcourt. With several trade rumors driving traffic, Dallas would do well to ensure a healthy roster to start the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NBA star Kyrie Irving lifts the lid on terrifying state of players' marriages
NBA star Kyrie Irving has made a stunning claim about the state of players' marriages across the league, saying on a recent live stream that the vast majority of them fail. Irving, 33, is married to Marlene Wilkerson and the couple share two sons together. But on a recent live stream with Tristan Jass, Mavericks star Irving said that a whopping 86 percent of marriages fail in the NBA. Irving told a stunned Jass that he tries to 'focus on the other 14 percent' before explaining how approaches his relationship with his wife. 'Being aware of that [statistic], I have shared that with my wife and she knows how honest I am,' Irving said. 'So I've always done my best to make sure I'm putting things in perspective and adding context for her. Give her as many details so that there isn't anything off the table that she doesn't know. Trust is built that way.' Nine-time All-Star Irving and Wilkerson have been linked since 2018. They welcome their first son, Kaire, in 2021, before she and the hoops star welcomed a second son in 2022 while he was playing for the Nets. It's unclear when exactly they got married. Irving also shares a daughter, Azurie Elizabeth, from a previous relationship with a woman named Andrea Wilson. Irving previously told streamer Kai Cenat how he came to realize that Wilkerson was 'the one' for him. 'I knew she was the one for me when you know, I dropped those tears,' Irving said 'You drop those tears over the girl you in love with, man, it changes your life forever.' Irving is expected to miss most if not all of the next NBA season after suffering a torn ACL in March. Prior to getting hurt, he was having an effective year in his 14th NBA season, averaging 24.7 points in 50 contests for Dallas. The Mavs will be eagerly awaiting his return from injury so he can team up with Anthony Davis and rookie Cooper Flagg.
