TRADE BOMB: $109M ANDREW WIGGINS DEAL CARRIES MAJOR LAKERS WARNING
Despite trade rumours, the Lakers are advised NOT to trade for Andrew Wiggins. Analysts warn it could disrupt team chemistry and are unnecessary with Austin Reaves' All-Star-calibre play alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
The Los Angeles Lakers are rumoured to be interested in trading for Andrew Wiggins, a Miami Heat player with a championship ring. But is it the right call?
Currently, the Lakers are near the top of the Western Conference with a 12-4 record. They finally have their star players—LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves—playing together.
Even so, some people wonder if the team as it is can win four playoff rounds in a row. A major worry is their big man situation, especially after DeAndre Ayton's recent knee injury. Still, trade rumours are swirling, even for other positions.
Recently, Jake Fischer reported that the Lakers are thinking about trading for Wiggins, who used to play for the Miami Heat and won a title with the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers have been interested in Wiggins before, but lately, some have advised against it.
Erik Beaston wrote, Adding Wiggins to a lineup with Dončić, Reaves, James, and DeAndre Ayton sounds good, but the team shouldn't do it.
Even though the Lakers are a few games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lead the conference, the writer strongly advised Los Angeles to hold off, especially since James just got back on the court.
There are worries about the Lakers trading for Wiggins.
While Wiggins could give the Lakers another scorer and a decent defender, Beaston made a strong case against the trade.
He pointed out that with stars like James, Doncic, and Reaves already on the team, Wiggins would probably have a similar role but might not be as good as those three. Plus, bringing in a new player could mess up the team's strong chemistry that has built up since the offseason.
Beaston wrote, Team chemistry is too valuable for the Lakers to make big changes this season. James' return already affected the chemistry between Dončić and Reaves, who had become a strong offensive duo.
Besides, a trade for Wiggins would likely mean trading away some expiring contracts. The Lakers made many moves over the summer, and changing those plans to add someone who isn't even an All-Star could be a mistake.
The writer added, The last thing they need is to trade away expiring contracts (Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes) for Wiggins and risk messing up chemistry or momentum. It's better to stick with what they have and maybe trade one of those contracts to get a role player or two by the deadline, especially since the team will want more depth later in the season.
Maybe the Lakers are fine without Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins is averaging 16.7 points and 4.9 rebounds with 48.1% shooting, but trading for him could undo everything Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick have done to build this team.
Reaves is in line for his first All-Star appearance and a big new contract.
As mentioned, adding Wiggins might not be an upgrade over Reaves, who has been playing great this season. After averaging 20 points per game last year, the 26-year-old is now averaging a career-high 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists with 48.4% shooting.
Reaves is not only on track for his first All-Star appearance but is also likely to sign a new max contract this offseason.
Greg Swartz wrote, Austin Reaves has improved a lot in his NBA career, and now he looks like a max contract player. Reaves has a $14.9 million player option for next season, but he's unlikely to pick it up. Instead, he can opt out and sign a five-year, $241 million contract with the Lakers or a four-year, $178.5 million deal with another team.
Bobby Marks of ESPN first reported that the Lakers could offer Reaves a huge, $241 million contract extension next summer. Even if his numbers drop a bit with James back, another team will probably offer him a maximum contract if the Lakers don't, given how well he's played.
Reaves is currently among the top players in scoring and assists and is shooting better than ever. Wiggins probably couldn't match those numbers, which is another reason why adding a player who would take the ball away from Reaves, James, or Doncic might not be a good idea.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
