Latest news with #NBAOffseason
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rui Hachimura's Lakers Future Gets Update After LeBron James News
Rui Hachimura's Lakers Future Gets Update After LeBron James News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2025 NBA offseason with a clear mandate: retool the roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic to return to championship contention. Following a second consecutive first-round playoff exit that exposed specific roster needs, general manager Rob Pelinka has signaled changes ahead, fueling speculation about potential trades and free agency moves. Advertisement Among the players whose futures are uncertain is forward Rui Hachimura. Despite a solid season, Hachimura's name has surfaced in trade rumors as the Lakers explore options to strengthen their lineup. This is primarily due to Hachimura's expiring $18.3 million salary that can be used to facilitate a deal. Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5).Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Last week, it was reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show that James is expected to opt-in to the final year of his contract. This would leave the Lakers paying him $52.6 million next season, further limiting their avenues for roster building. Amid this news, ESPN's Bobby Marks gave an update on the what the Lakers can do this offseason. During Tuesday's segment of Get Up, Marks said the Lakers are expected to be aggressive, especially given James' contract situation. Advertisement "I expect them to be extremely aggressive this offseason," Marks said of the Lakers. "Especially with LeBron likely going into - you know, he's got one year left on his contract. [The Lakers] have got to take advantage of the $60 million expiring contracts when you're certainly looking at players like Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura." While there had been some buzz that James may opt-out and take a pay-cut next season to help the Lakers gain more financial flexibility, that does not appear to be the case. This may leave Los Angeles turning to its other expiring contracts, like Hachimura's, to facilitate necessary offseason moves. Hachimura is entering the final year of a three-year $51 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 2023. Since joining the Lakers, he has been a reliable contributor, averaging 12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 40.2% from three-point range. His performance has demonstrated his value, but the team's pressing need for a starting center and overall roster enhancement may necessitate difficult decisions. Advertisement Related: Ja Morant's Gesture Toward LeBron James Turns Heads on Tuesday Related: Luka Doncic Sends Austin Reaves Message After Lakers Trade Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Team Emerges as Betting Favorite to Land Suns' Kevin Durant in Offseason
New Team Emerges as Betting Favorite to Land Suns' Kevin Durant in Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The official start to the NBA offseason is right around the corner and one team that everyone has their eyes on is the Phoenix Suns. Advertisement Phoenix is expected to make some major changes to their roster this summer after another disappointing season that saw them finish 11th in the Western Conference with an abysmal 36-46 record which resulted in them missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign. Of course, it is expected that the Suns will break up their star trio this summer by moving on from both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to rebuild their roster around Devin Booker. Phoenix Suns stars Devin Booker (1), Bradley Beal (3) and Kevin Durant (35)Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images With Durant likely on the move, trade rumors have continued to grow as many teams have been linked to the future Hall of Famer. Those teams include the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs along with others. Advertisement With the offseason right around the corner, the Suns will have a key decision to make regarding Durant as they try to receive the best package in return or him and a new betting favorite emerged on Tuesday. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Rockets have emerged as the favorite (+280) to land Durant this summer. They are followed by the Timberwolves (+300) while the Suns have the third-best odds (+350) of him staying on their roster for next season. Of course, the Rockets make the most sense for a Durant trade due to the fact that they own multiple of the Suns' picks, including the 10th overall selection in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Mar 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) fight for position in the first half at Footprint Center.© Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Because of this, the Suns would likely be intrigued by a package from Houston that included some of their picks, especially the 10th pick this year, as they try to kickstart their rebuild around Booker. Advertisement Despite this, many teams are expected to be in on the Durant sweepstakes this summer and it could turn into a bidding war for the superstar forward. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
