Latest news with #LukaDoncic
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Draymond Green Doesn't Hold Back on LeBron James' Strong Statement
Draymond Green Doesn't Hold Back on LeBron James' Strong Statement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In youth sports, a broader conversation is underway, focusing on how sports are taught and organized for children and young adults. Advertisement There are concerns that many young professional athletes are feeling burned out after their youth was consumed by coaches, trainers and a regimented structure surrounding the sport, rather than enjoying the game in a more relaxed or less organized way. LeBron James chimed in on the matter during his podcast, "Mind the Game" with co-host Steve Nash and featured guest Luka Doncic. In summary, James believes young athletes are being forced to specialize by a lack of variety. The 40-year-old NBA superstar noted how he played football, ran track and participated in many sports as a kid. He felt that kids burn out from having such a singular focus, brought about by parents and coaches who steer them through high school, college and into the pros. In response, Draymond Green addressed the conversation with his point of view during his podcast on Monday, making a strong statement that the game is no longer a "poor man's game." Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (right) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James react in the first half at Arena.© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports "Where the game has gone, you need those resources in order to be successful (like a personal coach or trainer). I feel like basketball used to be a poor man's game. ... We had nothing and it was our way out. Basketball is not a poor kid's game no more. Basketball is a rich kid's game. The days of seeing LeBron James from Akron, Ohio, from a single mom. Those days are numbered. Because if you don't have the resources these days, you can't make didn't use to be that." Advertisement Green would continue to discuss how his upbringing in the sport differed significantly from that of today's youth. "I didn't learn how to do a proper individual workout until I got to college," said Green, noting how his unstructured play influenced his approach to basketball. "Growing up, I'm going to what we did, we hooped all day. I think there's a huge benefit to that because you learn to see the game. "It's different when someone (like a coach) tells you to play one position and to do this move," Green said, comparing participating in the game versus being coached as an individual. "How do you use your creativity?...How do you know what you're about? How do you know what your game is if you never tap into it and figure it out?" What spurred this conversation in the first place was that Doncic funded a study titled "Inside Youth Basketball 2025" which analyzed how young athletes find joy and learn the game in Europe and the United States. Advertisement Per Doncic's foundation's mission statement, they aim to "innovate new ways to help young people level up through play, creativity and wellness." Related: Draymond Green's Penalty History Nears $1M With NBA's Latest Action Related: LeBron James' Son Meets Former Lakers Coach Before Life-Changing Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Luka Doncic reacts on social media to sale of Lakers
On Wednesday, the Buss family reportedly agreed to sell a majority share of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter for a valuation of $10 billion. Walter has owned a sizable chunk of the Los Angeles Dodgers for many years, and fans are anticipating that this transaction could lead to the Lakers having the type of sustained success the Dodgers, the defending World Series champions, have had in recent years. While Jeanie Buss, who has been the Lakers' governor for years, will remain in that role, it could mark a major shift as far as how they do business financially when it comes to personnel decisions. Advertisement They have long been criticized for being run like a family-owned small business, but apparently, those days are now ending. One item on their to-do list this summer is to get Luka Doncic, the new face of the franchise, to sign some sort of long-term contract extension. He can opt out of his current contract next summer, and he can officially agree to an extension starting on Aug. 2 of this year. In the meantime, he seems happy with the change in team ownership, judging by a post he made on X (formerly known as Twitter). Doncic was sent to the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks in a seismic trade that took place on Feb. 1. While many outside the Lakers' sphere of influence are still upset over the low price (Anthony Davis, Max Christie and one future first-round draft pick) L.A. paid, the Purple and Gold's championship window has been pried open, and it could remain ajar for many years to come. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Luka Doncic reacts on social media to sale of Lakers
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Luka Doncic reacts on social media to sale of Lakers
Luka Doncic reacts on social media to sale of Lakers On Wednesday, the Buss family reportedly agreed to sell a majority share of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter for a valuation of $10 billion. Walter has owned a sizable chunk of the Los Angeles Dodgers for many years, and fans are anticipating that this transaction could lead to the Lakers having the type of sustained success the Dodgers, the defending World Series champions, have had in recent years. While Jeanie Buss, who has been the Lakers' governor for years, will remain in that role, it could mark a major shift as far as how they do business financially when it comes to personnel decisions. They have long been criticized for being run like a family-owned small business, but apparently, those days are now ending. One item on their to-do list this summer is to get Luka Doncic, the new face of the franchise, to sign some sort of long-term contract extension. He can opt out of his current contract next summer, and he can officially agree to an extension starting on Aug. 2 of this year. In the meantime, he seems happy with the change in team ownership, judging by a post he made on X (formerly known as Twitter). Doncic was sent to the Lakers by the Dallas Mavericks in a seismic trade that took place on Feb. 1. While many outside the Lakers' sphere of influence are still upset over the low price (Anthony Davis, Max Christie and one future first-round draft pick) L.A. paid, the Purple and Gold's championship window has been pried open, and it could remain ajar for many years to come.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brian Windhorst Reveals Only Way Lakers Can Win with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves
Brian Windhorst Reveals Only Way Lakers Can Win with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers fell far short of their championship aspirations than many likely expected in this spring's West playoffs. Advertisement L.A. flipped a package centered around a first round pick, 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis, and wing Max Christie, to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic and big men Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in a franchise-altering midseason blockbuster. But without Davis — and after scuttling a subsequent attempted trade for 23-year-old Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, when Williams failed his team physical — the Lakers were without critical rim protection heading into the playoffs. Los Angeles Lakers guards Luka Doncic (77) and Austin Reaves (15).Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Lakers were briskly manhandled by the bigger, longer Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, with Jaxson Hayes (now a free agent, and seemingly unlikely to return to town) installed as the team's starting five to kick off that series. Advertisement Los Angeles' defense was patchy elsewhere. The team's three best players — Doncic, 21-time All-Star forward LeBron James, and guard Austin Reaves — are all great ball handlers and scorers but limited defenders, leading to a porous perimeter presence on that end. While appearing on a Thursday morning installment of ESPN's "Get Up" to discuss the Lakers' $10 billion team sale, longtime LeBron James insider Brian Windhorst explained how Los Angeles can survive if it opts to keep Doncic, 26, and Reaves, 27, together for the long-term. "If they're going to be committed to playing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves together, in other words they're going to keep those guys on the perimeter, they're just going to need more interior defense — because those guys are susceptible on the outside," Windhorst suggested. "So they need somebody who can defend, it doesn't have to be a blockbuster trade, but they need somebody who can defend at the rim with the players that they have." Advertisement The Lakers may not be able to find another Anthony Davis without, say, trading LeBron James, but the team could still grab an athletic rim protector like Onyeka Okongwu or Mitchell Robinson with the right trade chips. Related: Lakers Predicted to Make Major Offseason Roster Upgrade After $10 Billion Sale: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers have reportedly made trade offer for Walker Kessler
There have been rumors connecting Jazz center Walker Kessler with the Lakers for quite some time. At the trade deadline, the chatter was at an all-time high, but once Los Angeles traded for Luka Dončić, Kessler was no longer mentioned as a target for the Lakers. Advertisement With the offseason here and L.A. still in desperate need of an upgrade at the five, the Lakers have reportedly remained interested in Kessler. In the latest episode of 'Locked on Jazz,' Utah beat writer Andy Larsen mentioned the Lakers making a trade offer for Kessler. 'I think there's been an offer presented for Walker Kessler. And, certainly the Lakers have shown significant interest all the way back to the deadline, certainly continuing now. And him being their future of the center, giving up multiple picks to get there, that is on the table right now. I don't know if the Jazz take it. Certainly, they haven't so far.' While there appears to be an offer on the table for Kessler by the Lakers, no need to Photoshop him in a purple and gold uniform just yet. Larsen later took to social media to clarify his comments further, stating that nothing has progressed to the serious stages of negotiation. The Lakers making trade offers proves they are serious about acquiring Kessler. Advertisement It demonstrates that the President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, is holding true to his word regarding leaving 'no stone unturned' as he looks for ways to upgrade L.A.'s frontcourt. It seems a deal is still far from a foregone conclusion, but having these negotiations is certainly a step towards making a trade happen. The reason Kessler remains an intriguing option for the Lakers is that he is a young center already showing promise and has an unknown ceiling. In his three NBA seasons, Kessler has proven to be an elite shot-blocker, all-around rim protector and offensive producer. Kessler was second-best in the league in rejections, averaging 2.4 a game. Only Victor Wembanyama had more blocks this season. Advertisement He has also improved each year he's been in Utah. This past season, Kessler averaged a double-double with 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds while playing in 58 games for the Jazz. Given that Kessler is still on his rookie contract and set to make $4.8 million this year, the Lakers won't have trouble matching salaries to trade for him. However, the Jazz will certainly want as many picks as possible to give up a big with such a high upside, especially since they are right in the middle of a rebuild. We'll see if talks accelerate any further and if the Lakers have enough draft picks to entice the Jazz to make a move. Advertisement You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ More from
