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USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Lakers jersey history No. 1 — D'Angelo Russell
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary. As the Lakers approach their 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years. Here, we take a look at someone every Lakers fan knows and remembers: D'Angelo Russell. Russell was the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Lakers after one productive season at Ohio State University, where he was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and won the Jerry West Award while being named to the All-Big Ten first team. The Lakers were entering Kobe Bryant's final season and were just starting to accumulate promising young players. It was hoped that Russell would become their point guard of the future and someone who would lead them into their next era of success. But he was slow to develop and shot just 40.8% from the field in his first two pro seasons. He also displayed some immaturity, especially when he was involved in that viral social media incident with then-teammate Nick Young. The Lakers traded Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in June 2017. There, he started to show some growth. A hot streak midway through the 2018-19 season earned him an All-Star berth, and that season, he averaged over 20 points a game for the first time. He was sent to the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2019 and was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in February 2020. His shooting efficiency dropped below par, but during the 2022-23 season, he finally started to shoot well on a consistent basis. That's when the Lakers brought him back as part of the deal that mercifully jettisoned Russell Westbrook. Russell played well enough to take them to the 2023 Western Conference Finals, which led to some optimism about their prospects for the following season. But by this point, Russell had shown a troubling trend of not playing up to his standards in the playoffs. He would be briefly benched during the 2023-24 campaign while going through a nasty slump, but he would recover enough to set a franchise record for the most made 3-pointers in a season. He struggled mightily with his shooting early this past season, and Los Angeles then traded him back to Brooklyn in late December for 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith. It was a trade that helped L.A., but it didn't help Russell, as he ended the season making 39% of his field-goal attempts and 31.4% of his 3-point tries. He is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks, where he will fill in at point guard while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL. He will have another opportunity to contribute to a team that has high expectations while reuniting with former Lakers teammates Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Lakers HC On Magic Johnson's Competitive Nature: "Wanted To Destroy You, Whether It Was For $2 Or $2 Million"
Former Lakers HC On Magic Johnson's Competitive Nature: "Wanted To Destroy You, Whether It Was For $2 Or $2 Million" originally appeared on Fadeaway World. When Mike Dunleavy Sr. took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1990, he wasn't just stepping into a storied franchise, he was stepping into a locker room still fueled by the fire of one of the most competitive athletes the NBA has ever seen: Magic Johnson. Dunleavy, a first-time head coach at the time, inherited a veteran squad led by Johnson and quickly learned that Magic's reputation for intensity was no exaggeration. On the Run It Back TV show, Dunleavy shared candid memories of coaching Magic, offering a firsthand glimpse into the relentless mindset that made the Lakers legend an icon. "Magic Johnson, you know, as a rookie head coach with the Lakers, Jerry West would get on me sometimes. He'd say, 'Mike, dude, you had the game won. You didn't have to play Magic those extra two or three minutes.' And I'd tell him, 'Jerry, I don't have that game won. I'm a rookie coach. I've got to bank wins."' "So I'd plan to give Magic the day off in practice. I'd say, 'Irvin, I played you 38, 39 minutes last night. Why don't you just sit out today?' And he'd look me in the eye and say, 'Coach, if I sit out, the rest of these guys think they got the day off too.'" "That's who he was. When I played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Sidney Moncrief was defensive player of the year, same mentality. All those guys had it. I played pickup with Magic in the offseason." "We could be playing for $2 or $2 million. Didn't matter. He was going for the jugular every single time. He wanted to win every single game he played." That exchange highlighted not just Dunleavy's rookie nerves, but also Magic's iron will to compete, even when logic said rest was the better call. Magic didn't want minutes off. He didn't want practices off. He didn't want days off. Dunleavy once tried to give him a break after a 38- or 39-minute night. Magic's leadership wasn't just vocal, it was physical. He led by example, never easing up even in low-stakes situations. That type of competitive DNA defined Magic Johnson's career and helped Dunleavy in his first year guide the Lakers past Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1991 Western Conference Finals. With Magic running the show alongside Vlade Divac, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals. Although they lost to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in five games, that run marked the end of an era, one that would come to a sudden halt months later. In October 1991, shortly after winning the McDonald's Open in Paris, Magic Johnson announced he had tested positive for HIV and retired. The Lakers still made the playoffs that season, but the loss of their floor general and locker room heartbeat was a blow from which they wouldn't recover for years. Yet Dunleavy will always remember those precious months when he saw the fire up close, the competitor who didn't care if the stakes were pocket change or a championship ring. Because of Magic Johnson, every game was a war worth story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Luka Doncic could lift the Lakers with MVP-level season
Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor is joined by NBA reporter Jack Simone to discuss Luka Dončić's potential impact on the Los Angeles Lakers this season and whether he can return to MVP-caliber form. Hear the full conversation on 'The Kevin O'Connor Show' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript We also can't rule out the possibility of, you know, a career best year for Luka. What if, like, this is the summer where you see all these photos of him and he actually comes back and he is in the best shape of his life and he does have his first MVP season. What if Luka, the guy who's already been doing NBA Finals, dragged the team to the Western Conference Finals alongside Jalen Brunson. What if this is the year Luka is the MVP?, Then it's like, OK, suddenly, everything about the complexion of this Lakers team changes dramatically if you get that version of Luka. So I think that's really one of the biggest, biggest ifs of the whole offseason when you look at what teams did. If Luka is the MVP this year, suddenly the Western Conference landscape changes. It is wild to think that Luka hasn't won an MVP yet. I mean, he averaged like a 30 triple-double for his entire career or something and he doesn't have one. I know the fact that he's still that's ridiculous. And there's also a chance that playing with Luka does wonders for A again after playing with Chris Paul. There's a chance that Marcus Smart, now that he's on a team that can actually win, not either an injured team or a tanking team, can play more games and he stays healthy and he makes an impact. And I think DeAndre, at his best, is still a solid double-double solid post defender type player. It's just a matter of can he do it? If the Lakers get that, if the Lakers get that, they're in a great position. It's just a matter of will they and I guess that's the bet they're willing to take. Close
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Celtics Are The Frontrunners For Damian Lillard After Major Recruitment Pitch
Boston Celtics Are The Frontrunners For Damian Lillard After Major Recruitment Pitch originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Boston Celtics have been very active this summer as they accommodate the injury to Jayson Tatum. As they prepare for what will likely be a down year, they've been mostly selling some of their older, more established players. According to NBA insider Scott Berges, however, they are in the advanced stages of working out a deal to bring in 9x All-Star guard, Damian Lillard. "I'm told Jayson Tatum has been in contact with Damian Lillard 'every single day' since the guard got released from the Bucks," wrote Berges. "Damian Lillard is meeting with the Celtics on July 7th. That's what I've been told. Lucky to have such a behind-the-scenes connection. The meeting is private. Nobody outside of the Celtics Org. is supposed to know!" Since Lillard's buyout from the Bucks, he's been pursued by several NBA franchises hoping to land the sharpshooter for a bargain. He has yet to make up his mind on where he'll play next, but the Celtics are reportedly on his short list of preferred destinations, and they've already been in contact with each other this season. "Damian Lillard has been in 'constant contact' with both Jayson Tatum and Brad Stevens," Berges continued. "All signs point to him signing in Boston, I'm told by my contact." Lillard, 34, has accomplished a lot over 13 years in the NBA. As a 9x All-Star, 7x All-NBA player, and the Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer, he's earned his title as one of the best point guards in the modern NBA. Still, he has yet to win a championship in the NBA and has only ever gone as far as the Western Conference Finals. Now that he's a free agent for the first time, Lillard has total control over his next destination, and he wants to ensure it's someplace he can win. Even after trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday this summer, the Celtics are still in a good position to compete thanks to the presence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Together, they will keep the Celtics relevant in the East for years to come, and Lillard could be an addition that enhances their potential. With career averages of 24.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 43.9% shooting, he's a beast on offense who excels as a shooter and playmaker from the outside. After tearing his Achilles for the Bucks in April, it's likely that Lillard will never be the same again, but he has enough experience, work ethic, and natural talent to still be effective on the court when he eventually returns. If his goal is to win, there may be no better team to join than the Celtics, who have a pair of stars in Tatum and Brown who have already gone all the way. With head coach Joe Mazzulla and a culture of winning, they have the recipe for a potential title run, and it would do wonders for Lillard's legacy if he was along for the ride. The good news is, they are leading the race so far with the meeting on Monday (July 7) set to decide his fate once and for story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
NBC Sports
18-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NBA power rankings 2025-26: Where do teams stand after NBA offseason? Rockets, Nuggets chase Thunder at top
While there is still some offseason business to get done — where does Jonathan Kuminga land? Will Luka Doncic sign an extension with the Lakers? — the majority of rosters are now settled. We have seen the rookies at NBA Summer League. Which means, it's time for a summer edition of our NBA Power Rankings. TRUE TITLE CONTENDERS (Last season 68-14) The defending champions are the team everyone else is chasing — they locked up their core three (Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren) with extensions and are running it back pretty much the same roster that just won 68 games and a ring. At Summer League, Ajay Mitchell looked ready for more minutes and Nikola Topic looked ready for some. This team just gets deeper and better. (Last season 52-30) It's obvious to say Kevin Durant fills in the missing piece of the puzzle in the half court that Houston lacked, that doesn't make it any less correct. That, plus the growth of their young players, makes the Rockets title contenders. Adding Dorian Finney-Smith to the rotation was one of the sneaky best pickups of the offseason, which makes the Rockets' defense and depth that much better. (Last season 50-32) With days left in the last season, the Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone, then this offseason went out and did what he had been begging the franchise to do for years — acquire quality veterans. Jonas Valanciunas is the best backup big of the Jokic era and it's not close. Cam Johnson will be an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. (especially defensively), and Tim Hardaway Jr. and the return of Bruce Brown are exactly what this team needed. Denver took OKC 7 in the last playoffs and improved this offseason. (Last season 64-18) I'm higher on the Cavaliers next season than a lot of people, partially because I don't put as much stock in their playoff exit as most. Darius Garland is critical to this team's success, and his trying to play through turf toe changed everything. If healthy, and with Evan Mobley taking another step forward, this team is a legit contender with Donovan Mitchell as the go-to star. SECOND CIRCLE CONTENDERS (Last season 49-33) They have been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals and Anthony Edwards is still improving — do not sleep on this team. The Timberwolves locked up Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker is going to sting. A lot. (Last season 51-31) The question isn't, 'Is Mike Brown a better coach than Tom Thibodeau?' The question is, 'Does having a different voice in Mike Brown and going deeper into the bench during the regular season make a difference?' We shall see. Brown takes over a job with more pressure than any other coach in the league. PLAYOFFS OR BUST (Last season 50-32) The Clippers have a stacked regular-season lineup. They locked up James Harden coming off an All-NBA season, and they added quality size up front in Brook Lopez and John Collins. Bradley Beal steps right into the Norman Powell role (and the team may not miss a beat). This is a big and deep roster that can rest Kawhi Leonard a fair amount during the regular season and still win a lot of games (trust Harden in the playoffs at your own peril). (Last season 41-41) Orlando had as good an offseason as any team in the league — Desmond Bane is a perfect fit for this roster. Tyus Jones is exactly what this team needs behind Jalen Suggs at the point. Keep Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner healthy, and this team is a threat in the East. I have them as the No. 3 seed at the moment. (Last season 50-32) There is always drama swirling around LeBron James and the Lakers, but don't buy into the trade talk — LeBron will be with the team when training camp opens. So will skinny Luka Doncic, and if that duo can prod Deandre Ayton to care and play hard the majority of the time, this Lakers team is a playoff threat. They are going to miss Dorian Finney-Smith and his shooting (and perimeter defense). (Last season 48-34) If the Stephen Curry/Jimmy Butler/Draymond Green core can stay healthy and everything breaks their way, the Warriors could make a nice postseason run. Not to state the obvious, but the health of the Curry/Butler/Green core is a legit concern. The Golden State Warriors receive an incomplete grade for their offseason until the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved (they currently only have nine players on the roster for next season; there is work to be done here). (Last season 48-34) Giannis Antetokounmpo said he would 'probably' return to the Bucks, which feels like an understatement (he added, 'I love Milwaukee'). It doesn't matter how many teams are monitoring the situation if he doesn't force his way out, and it doesn't appear he will this summer. Myles Turner is an upgrade over Brook Lopez at this point in their careers. However, the Bucks need another ball handler and shot creator at the two/three slot, or there is a serious ceiling on this team. (Last season 40-42) No team had a better offseason than Atlanta, which is why they jump in these rankings to what would be the fifth seed in the East. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a fantastic fit at guard, bringing needed shooting and defense, while Luke Kennard adds more shooting. If he's healthy, Kristaps Porzingis brings the shot-blocking presence this team needs, plus he will be a great pick-and-pop partner with Trae Young. The biggest Atlanta addition: Getting Jalen Johnson healthy. Throw in the expected growth from Zaccharie Risacher and Atlanta looks like a team that could make some noise in the East. (Last season 44-38) This ranking almost feels too low for a team that announced its arrival last season, but did they do enough to move up? Despite rumors, there were no big, bold moves by the Pistons this offseason — the team has no Robin to Cade Cunningham's Batman — but Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson will fit in well as role players. (Last season 24-58) This ranking is either way too low or way too high. If Joel Embiid and Paul George are healthy next season, the 76ers are title contenders; if it's another season of them looking older and injured, the lottery is in their future. VJ Edgecombe showcased his athleticism at Summer League, and he, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain form an impressive young trio that could be the future in Philly. But first, the present needs to play out. (Last season 34-48) Victor Wembanyama is healthy and cleared following the resolution of the blood clot issue in his shoulder. If the Spurs' 'problem' is figuring out how to fit De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle together in the same backcourt, that's a good problem to have. We'll get a feel for what the Spurs think of their future direction next month when it's time for Fox to receive a contract extension. (Last season 48-34) The Grizzlies will miss Desmond Bane, but if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finds his rhythm again in Memphis he can help mitigate a lot of that. Memphis locked up Jaren Jackson Jr. and they made a quality pickup in Ty Jerome. If Ja Morant can stay healthy and find a little more efficiency, this ranking may prove too low. (Last season 61-21). Jayson Tatum may be sidelined for most (if not all) of next season, and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are gone, but there is still talent on this roster. Jaylen Brown is poised for a big season with a larger shot creation role, Derrick White is still out there knocking down clutch shots, plus Anfernee Simons is going to get them some buckets. This team is not a contender, but it's also not a pushover this season. (Last season 39-43) Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype at Summer League, and what impressed most is that it wasn't just his scoring — that was up and down in terms of efficiency, which is to be expected in his first year — but it was his defense and playmaking that stood out. With D'Angelo Russell at the point, and if Anthony Davis can stay healthy, this is a solid team that should improve as the year goes on. Mavericks' Cooper Flagg with the monster help side block, transition push and assist for go-ahead jumper in final minute vs. Lakers Play-In Hopefuls (Last season 37-45) Trading for Norman Powell from the Clippers was a steal, he is exactly what Miami needs as a secondary shot creator next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. That said, this was a middle-of-the-pack Heat team last season that made no bold moves, no massive upgrades, leaving them in the same spot they were a year ago. (Last season 30-52) This team certainly has talent — Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett — but that talent overlaps more than fits together. This just feels like an oddly constructed team. And among all that good talent, is there a true No. 1 option on a playoff team? The Jakob Poeltl re-signing makes sense on the court, but it felt like an overpay. (Last season 36-46) Damian Lillard's return home is heartwarming, but it doesn't help the team on the court this season. However, that team is interesting, potentially good, and may make this ranking look too low. Their starting five opening night could be Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara and maybe some Yang Hansen off the bench (his passing is infectious for a team's offense, but his defense and strength need work to get serious NBA rotation minutes). We'll see if the post All-Star Game run from last season can extend into this one. (Last season 39-43) What exactly is the plan in Chicago? Still trying to figure that out. Turning Lonzo Ball into Isaac Okoro isn't exactly an upgrade. At least the Bulls are negotiating with Josh Giddey and not just handing him the bag (ala Patrick Williams). The Bulls and Giddey remain about $6-$10 million a season apart on reaching a new deal (Giddey is seeking $30 million a season, the Bulls are thinking low $20 millions). No. 12 pick Noa Essengue had a rough first game at the Las Vegas Summer League but looked better getting to his shot as he played more games. Despite all those questions, this ranking might be too low for a team that should more likely hover around .500. (Last season 40-42) It's just a matter of fit. Bringing in veteran Dennis Schroder to run the point is a solid move on one level — he's a quality NBA rotation one — but he's not a feared shooter. Play him with DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, and teams can just pack the paint and dare the Kings to beat them from 3. This is another team where the long-term plan is unclear, despite having some talent on the roster. What's the vision? On the bright side, rookies Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford have looked pretty good at Summer League. (Last season 50-32) This will be the Andrew Nembhard team for a season (while Tyrese Haliburton recovers from his torn Achilles, the ball will be in his hands). Pascal Siakam will also be asked to do more shot creation, and with that, he should see a bump in his stats. Jay Huff is a solid signing at center, but this team lacks a defensive presence in the paint. It's going to be a rough year in Indy after such a magical run a year ago. (Last season 19-63) Charlotte had a good offseason, that doesn't mean they are a good team yet — although they could well be a play-in or maybe playoff team if LaMelo Ball can stay healthy for 65+ games. At least there seems to be a plan under new ownership and a new front office. Collin Sexton was a solid pickup for next to nothing. No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel's shooting is needed and he can slot next to Ball and Brandon Miller. I like just drafted center Ryan Kalkbrenner, he impressed me at Summer League with his defense. Dreaming of Lottery Luck (already) (Last season 18-64) There are some interesting young players on this roster: Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Cam Whitmore, Keyshawn George, and the just-drafted Tre Johnson (who is fun to watch because he has yet to meet a shot he doesn't like). The concern: At one point at the Las Vegas Summer League, the Wizards rolled out a five-man lineup of guys who will get minutes on the team this fall, and they got run out of the building by the summer Suns (not exactly a powerhouse squad). It's concerning. Still, this is a team with a plan and making better decisions than it did a couple of years ago. (Last season 21-61) There are so many inconsistent players on this roster, but if everything clicks this ranking will be WAY too low. That starts with Zion Williamson staying healthy, which remains the pivot point with this team. Then there's the need for a good Jordan Poole season, both Trey Murphy II and Herb Jones staying healthy and playing well on the wings, and rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen contributing. That's a lot of 'if' that have to come together this season, and don't get started on the long term. (Last season 36-46) Phoenix had a relatively good offseason considering they reset the roster and started to retool around Devin Booker. That doesn't mean they got better. Kevin Durant is in Houston, Bradley Beal will be an anchor on their books for five years but is in Los Angeles, and Booker is now locked up for another two years. Jalen Green is going to get a lot of shots. Rookie Khaman Maluach showed promise at Summer League, but also reminded everyone that he is a bit of a project that will take some time to live up to his potential. (Last season 26-56) This is what rebuilding should look like, but it's going to be a rough season on the court. The trade to acquire Michael Porter Jr. was a good one — he is going to put up points (inconsistently, but points nonetheless) this season, and that 2032 Denver first-round pick is gold. Egor Demin and especially Nolan Traore impressed with their potential at Summer League, but they are rookies learning the game. Whatever the over is on Cam Thomas' shots, bet it (the sides will work out the restricted free agency before the season begins). (Last season 17-65) This is what a rebuilding team should be doing, but it will likely result in a rough season on the court. Trading away John Collins and Collin Sexton is the latest sign the team will turn the keys over to young players (Lauri Markkanen remains, unless they get blown away by a trade offer). Ace Bailey is a project but immensely talented, while Walter Clayton showed some potential at the Las Vegas Summer League. Kyle Filipowski might have been the best player in Las Vegas and looks ready for a bigger role and minutes this season.
