Latest news with #JovanBuha
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Lakers insider reveals why trade for Jazz star is unlikely
The post NBA rumors: Lakers insider reveals why trade for Jazz star is unlikely appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers had a very promising regular season this year, but the playoffs didn't go to plan. After earning the three-seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers took on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. LA was expected to win the series, but the Timberwolves ended up winning it in just five games. Now, the Lakers are trying to use the offseason to get better, and that could involve making some trades. Advertisement One trade idea that has been floated around involves the Lakers acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz. Kessler would be a huge addition to the team, but Lakers insider Jovan Buha doesn't see it happening. 'I think the issue with Walker Kessler and with Utah in general is their asking prices tend to be higher, and I think trading for Lauri [Markkanen] or Walker is going to be a high price,' Buha said. If the price is right, this would be a great pickup for the Lakers. However, is Walker Kessler worth this hefty cost? 'Going back to last season, I reported that the Lakers had had interest in Walker previously, and they had inquired about him to the Jazz, and the feedback they got was the starting price, not the final price,' Buha continued. 'The starting price was the equivalent of two+ first-round picks.' Advertisement There is a chance that the Lakers can offer enough to the Jazz to make this trade possible, but at that point, it might not be in their best inteest. 'I just don't know if the Lakers have the requisite assets to get Walker Kessler, but I think he's likely available for the right price,' Buha added. 'I just think that price is very high, and I don't know if the Lakers can get to it.' Buha did note, however, that a three-team trade could end up helping the Lakers here as it could become a more realistic and less expensive option. 'Yes, I think it probably does, especially depending on the asset going to Utah,' he said. 'If the Lakers can find a way to get a third team to give up an asset to Utah, and then the Lakers give that team an asset — maybe a team is really high on Rui [Hachimura], Gabe [Vincent], or Maxi Kleber.' Advertisement At the end of the day, this trade probably isn't going to happen during the offseason, but it could become more realistic down the road. 'I don't think he's a real option,' Buha concluded. '… It [trade package] would probably have to be something like Dalton [Knecht] and two first-round picks for Walker, and the Lakers don't have two firsts to trade. There's no reason for Utah to drop the price now; maybe they drop the price at the February 2026 trade deadline. I don't think he's realistic right now.' The Lakers might not trade for Walker Kessler this offseason, but there is still a chance that the team is one of the more active ones leading up to next season. Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo sounds off on LeBron James' 'no bag' mic drop Related: Lakers' Luka Doncic seen putting in offseason work in the gym
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Might Be Interested In Lonzo Ball For A Discounted Price
Lakers Might Be Interested In Lonzo Ball For A Discounted Price originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers may be considering a reunion with Lonzo Ball, but they're not willing to roll the dice unless the price is right. According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the franchise has legitimate interest in bringing back the former No. 2 overall pick, though only under very specific conditions. Advertisement "I do, I think they would be. It's just a matter of what his price is, and you have to factor in the health and the history there of, just you can't even pencil him in for 60 games." "So whatever you're giving up for him, there has to be some level of a discount, or you're factoring in, like, this dude might just play 40, 50 games. He's a guy you have to load manage. Like, how can we load manage him to get to mid-April in one piece?" That skepticism is well-earned. Ball has played only 70 games total in the past four seasons, including two seasons missed entirely due to a devastating knee injury that required multiple surgeries. He made a limited return last season, appearing in just 35 games while averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 36.6% shooting from the field and 34.4% from three. While he showed flashes of his old defensive brilliance and floor vision, the explosiveness and rhythm were clearly not all the way back. Advertisement A potential trade idea making the rounds features the Lakers receiving Lonzo Ball along with a 2028 Chicago Bulls second-round pick, while sending out Maxi Kleber and Shake Milton. Los Angeles Lakers Recieve: Lonzo Ball, 2028 Chicago Bulls second-Round pick Chicago Bulls Recieve: Maxi Kleber, Shake Milton The Lakers Take A Risk At A Discounted Price From the Lakers' perspective, this is a low-risk, medium-reward gamble. Kleber and Milton are end-of-bench rotation players in a fully healthy Lakers lineup, and the front office may be willing to exchange those pieces for a point guard who, if managed properly, can provide defensive balance, high-IQ passing, and pace off the bench. Advertisement Ball would likely slide into a reserve role behind Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic. His perimeter defense and passing could help stabilize bench units, but the team knows any success would depend on his availability, and that's been the biggest hurdle of all. The Bulls End The Lonzo Ball Era For the Bulls, this move would officially close the book on the Lonzo Ball era. When he was first acquired to team up with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls believed they had assembled a contender in the East. And for a while, they looked the part, but everything fell apart when Ball's knee injuries derailed the team's momentum. Advertisement With DeRozan and LaVine now long gone and the franchise fully in rebuild mode, moving Ball and gaining flexible veterans like Kleber and Milton in return, along with clearing future salary and risk, makes practical sense. The story of Lonzo Ball's career has been one of promise, frustration, and perseverance. A Lakers return would be poetic, but only if the cost reflects the reality. Related: NBA Insider Shares Latest Lakers Trade Rumors And News This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Face 'Pressure' to Make Big Moves Around Luka Doncic
Lakers Face 'Pressure' to Make Big Moves Around Luka Doncic originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers made a massive move when they added star Luka Doncic ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and one insider believes they will need more moves to keep Doncic happy with the direction of the franchise. Advertisement The Athletic's Jovan Buha said he expects the Lakers to make some big additions this summer before Doncic's extension date, saying the team is facing "pressure" to show their commitment to building a contender. Buha noted that Doncic was coming off an NBA Finals appearance with the Dallas Mavericks last season, but this year had an early playoff exit as the Lakers were upset by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. That gives the Lakers more urgency to bolster their roster and express their commitment to the future, he said. "The Luka factor and the fact that Luka's extension date is a month into free agency ... that's something that, if you're the Lakers, there should be some level of urgency, some level of pressure to find the center of the future or to at least upgrade the roster enough to appease Luka," Buha said. Buha added that the Lakers aren't close to filling out a roster as complete as the Oklahoma City Thunder, but will still make moves with urgency to build a team that can contend for titles now and through the immediate future. Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic (77) and LeBron James (23).Screen Capture With Doncic having control over whether he signs the contract extension, the Lakers will face pressure to prove that they are serious about building around him, Buha said. Advertisement "I think there is still an element of urgency and pressure with the Lakers and how they build this roster this summer," Buha said. "You also have LeBron [James], who's going to be 41, and you're 23. So you still have potential only a one to two-year window with this core with Luka, LeBron, and Austin [Reaves], so you have to try to maximize that." Related: LeBron James Update From Lakers Insider Sparks Trade Talk This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- 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
27-05-2025
- 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.
