Heading into his third season, with heightened expectations for the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul alongside him, it’s gut-check time for Deandre Ayton. The Phoenix Suns‘ 8-0 run in the NBA bubble gets more and more remarkable with each passing day, not only because it helped make the organization look more attractive to established, talented
3:42 PM ET Houston Rockets star James Harden must have six consecutive negative COVID-19 tests before the NBA clears him to practice with the team, a league source told ESPN. Harden, the eight-time All-Star who has requested to be traded to a contender, did not report to the Toyota Center for COVID-19 testing until Tuesday,
Could Pau Gasol reunite with the Los Angeles Lakers and his brother, Marc Gasol? Pau Gasol is eyeing and NBA comeback, and of course the Los Angeles Lakers are at the top of his free-agency wish list. In an exclusive interview with ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the six-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection opened up about
Houston Rockets superstar James Harden has made it clear to the front office he’s open to being traded to a contender. Believe it or not, there’s even more drama building between James Harden and the Houston Rockets. After it was recently reported Harden missed the start of training camp to party in Las Vegas, it
The Philadelphia 76ers got Danny Green to help with their shooting, but can he help Ben Simmons too? It’s not often that a teammate is able to make a profound difference in helping another teammate shoot better; after all, that’s what NBA teams have shooting coaches for. However, with Danny Green joining the Philadelphia 76ers,
4:57 PM ET Eric WoodyardESPN There’s a multimillion dollar question looming over the NBA that only Giannis Antetokounmpo has the answer to. However, the Bucks superstar didn’t put to bed any speculation on his long-term future in Milwaukee on Wednesday, instead saying he will put faith in his agent and the team’s front office to
8:25 PM ET After a conference call with the NBA on Tuesday night, the National Basketball Coaches Association told ESPN its full membership is prepared to participate in the upcoming NBA season despite high rates of coronavirus infection and spread in many parts of the country. “As we enter the season, all of the protocols
LeBron James went ahead and called out the Clippers for talking so much smack, only to blow it in the playoffs. If the 2019-20 NBA season taught us anything, it’s that the Los Angeles Clippers could talk the talk, but they definitely couldn’t back things up. Throughout the year, LA was known for chirping, talking
PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 09: Trevor Ariza #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) Kentucky basketball players ranked by NBA potential by Cody Williams Why does no one want to hold on to Trevor Ariza? Trevor Ariza has carved out a lengthy playing career in the NBA due to his perimeter
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Over and Back: The biggest NBA trades that fell through by Rich Kraetsch Following his trade from Oklahoma City to the Los Angeles Lakers, point guard Dennis Schroder sang Sam Presti’s praises for being a great general manager. Don’t think for a second there’s any ill feelings from Dennis
5:54 PM ET LOS ANGELES — With the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first preseason game looming Friday against the LA Clippers — which will be just six days into training camp and 61 days since their clinching Game 6 NBA Finals victory — coach Frank Vogel sounds like he’s calling off the big guns. “We haven’t
As if it needed any explanation, Carmelo Anthony explained why he didn’t consider a reunion with the New York Knicks. At this stage of his career, Carmelo Anthony’s top priority should be chasing that elusive first ring with a playoff contender. It makes sense, then, that the New York Knicks were nowhere near his radar
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 02: Former President Barack Obama (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Phillies, White Sox legend Dick Allen passes away at 78 by Mike Luciano Barack Obama found the time to take some shots at the New York Knicks. The New York Knicks have been no stranger to jokes at their expense given
12:16 PM ET Tim MacMahon Close ESPN Staff Writer Joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009 Covers the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks Appears regularly on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM Adrian Wojnarowski Close Senior NBA Insider Host of The Woj Pod Joined ESPN in 2017 James Harden indicated to the Houston Rockets before the beginning of training
Domantas Sabonis is quickly becoming one of the best offensive big men in the game. Domantas Sabonis has had quite the evolution during his four-year stint in the NBA. In the first year of his career, which was spent with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the former Gonzaga star looked like a bust, as his 39
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. In a media availability yesterday, Pelicans GM David Griffin talked at length about Zion Williamson, his health and his general expectations for the upcoming season. The specific comments
2:14 AM ET Months ago, LeBron James bit his tongue when Kyrie Irving‘s comments on Kevin Durant‘s podcast seemed to disparage the Los Angeles Lakers star’s late-game abilities. Now James has opened up about his former teammate’s take on a podcast appearance of his own. James, appearing as a guest on the Road Trippin’ podcast
Could LaMelo Ball really go No. 1 overall to the Timberwolves? The Minnesota Timberwolves hold the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and all signs have been pointing to Georgia guard Anthony Edwards ending up as the top selection. Gersson Rosas has been extremely tight-lipped about their plans for the draft, and that
D’Angelo Russell is playing for his fourth team in five seasons, looking for an opportunity to finally establish himself as a championship building block. It’s not unusual for NBA players to hop around the league a lot. Most players are expendable, archetypes slotted in and out of line-ups in the hopes that they can provide
7:12 PM ET LOS ANGELES — LeBron James says that the most satisfying part of the two-year, $85 million contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last week isn’t the money. It isn’t the fact that it assures him 20 seasons in the NBA. It isn’t the pride in knowing he’s worked hard
It took one practice for Russell Westbrook to bring his signature intensity to the Washington Wizards. New team, same old Russ. On Sunday, Russell Westbrook showed up to his first practice with the Washington Wizards two hours early, bringing his typical fire and useful knowledge of the playbook. Westbrook may have surprised a few of
Giannis Antetokoumpo was quick to heap praise on LeBron James. The title of “best player in the NBA” right now is a two-horse race between Milwaukee Bucks MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James. While Giannis certainly has plenty of momentum in his favor, he was quick to take the high road
3:31 PM ET Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas referred to disgruntled superstar James Harden’s absence from training camp as a holdout on Monday and said there is “no timetable” he is aware of for the perennial All-Star guard to report. After Harden missed Houston’s first team workout Sunday, Silas cited the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols as
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 09: Markieff Morris #88 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Five of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Whether or not Tyler Herro is in the starting lineup, he’s proven essential to the Miami Heat’s present and future. The murmur at the AmericanAirlines Arena was reserved for Tyler Herro and him alone. During what was the longest rookie season in NBA history, there were moments — before the Finals, before every new shot
6:59 AM ET The league looks a little different since our last rundown of all 30 teams. Star guards Russell Westbrook and John Wall swapped teams. Jrue Holiday and Gordon Hayward changed uniforms. The Philadelphia 76ers got a new head coach and a new president of basketball operations. What about the Los Angeles Lakers? L.A.
LeBron James has given an update to all of the rumors swirling that he will be changing his number this season. Who knew the biggest drama of the Los Angeles Lakers offseason wouldn’t involve a player signing or a trade, rather a jersey number. It’s been rumored for sometime now that LeBron James will be
7:05 PM ET Andrew LopezESPN Zion Williamson will head into his second NBA season with “no restrictions,” the New Orleans Pelicans star said Sunday. Talking to reporters as the Pelicans opened their training camp, Williamson flashed the biggest smile of the day when asked about what limitations he might have this season. “Me and [Pelicans]
The NBA may not be testing for marijuana this year, which is why J.R. Smith started trending. Some NBA players just have a certain reputation because of their larger-than-life, fun-loving personalities. J.R. Smith is definitely one of them. Despite playing a minimal role in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ title run this season, Smith has long
The Los Angeles Lakers are honoring Elgin Baylor with their new uniforms. All 30 NBA teams released their City Edition jerseys for the 2020-21 season on Thursday, and while the Los Angeles Lakers are known for donning the purple and gold, they went in a different yet familiar direction this year. While the baby blue