NBA TRADES 2026: LAKERS IN ACTIVE TALKS WITH NETS FOR MICHAEL PORTER JR.
The Lakers are linked to Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton. Read our exclusive analysis on how Rob Pelinka plans to land a star.
The Lakers are still aiming to make some noise in the Western Conference this season, even though their weaknesses keep showing up—and, let’s be honest, they don’t look like a real playoff threat right now. Luka Doncic and LeBron James have both been on fire while Austin Reaves has sat out with an injury, but somehow the team still manages to drop games to teams they really should beat.
Matt Moore mentioned that the Lakers have their eyes on two Brooklyn Nets players as the trade deadline gets closer:
“There’s been a lot of Lakers-Nets talk the last couple of years, and with that DFS trade already done, there’s a relationship. Claxton would be a really solid pickup, but they might also swing for MPJ.”
So, both Michael Porter Jr and Nic Claxton are on the Lakers’ radar. Claxton feels like the safer move—he wouldn’t cost as much in terms of future assets, and he’d give them a better centre than DeAndre Ayton. But Porter? He’s the splashier name. He’s probably the most exciting player available this year, especially with how much his game has improved. Lakers fans would be hyped if he landed in L.A.—he’s the kind of player who changes a team’s ceiling.
Why would Michael Porter Jr help the Lakers? Well, he’s finally breaking out with the Nets. He was always a good role guy with Denver, but this year, he’s stepped up as a legit scorer. He’s putting up 25.7 points a game and has a real shot at making the All-Star team for the first time.
The Lakers desperately need a wing who can do a bit of everything. Porter fits. He can step back, let the stars do their thing, or take over when injuries hit and the team needs more from him. His passing and leadership look better this year, too—he’s not just a shooter anymore. The Lakers could use his size and athleticism to shake things up and add some much-needed depth. Plus, with so few stars available on the market, Porter’s value just keeps going up.
Now, about a trade for Porter: The Lakers don’t want to give up Austin Reaves at the deadline—they’d rather lock him up long-term. Brooklyn would jump at the chance to build around Reaves, even without extra draft picks, but the Lakers want to keep him, so they’ll have to get creative.
Brooklyn’s asking price? They want one or two first-rounders in the 2030s, ideally at least one unprotected pick for Porter or Claxton. And the Lakers would have to send out enough players to make the money work. Guys like Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber are all on the table. The Lakers would end up sending three of those guys, plus probably taking back another role player from Brooklyn, to even out salaries. In the end, the big question is whether the Lakers think Porter is worth cashing in those future picks for right now.
LUKE LITTLER STAGES IMPROBABLE COMEBACK TO SECURE PREMIER LEAGUE DUBLIN TITLE
Luke Littler staged a miracle 0-5 comeback to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-5 and claim Premier League Night Seven in Dublin.
Luke Littler pulled off an incredible comeback to win Night Seven of the 2026 Premier League Darts in Dublin, edging out Gerwyn Price 6-5 in a gripping final at the 3Arena.
Starting the match down 5-0, Littler managed to turn things around, finishing with a sharp 81 checkout on double 15 to claim his second nightly win of the season. This victory strengthened his position in the hunt for a playoff spot. Price, the world champion, seemed to be heading for a comfortable win after dominating early on. However, a string of missed match darts allowed Littler to complete this remarkable turnaround, much to the delight of the lively Dublin crowd.
Littler and Price both earned their places in the final with strong performances throughout the night. Littler kicked off with a solid 6-3 win over Stephen Bunting in a match where both players averaged over 100. His ability to close out legs made the difference, converting six doubles from 13 attempts to secure his spot in the semi-finals.
There, he faced Michael van Gerwen in one of the season’s standout matches. The high-scoring battle featured big moments from both sides, including a spectacular 170 checkout from Van Gerwen. Littler matched the intensity, hitting his own impressive finishes and eventually held his nerve in a deciding leg to win 6-5 and move into the final.
On the other side, Gerwyn Price was ruthless in his journey to the final. He opened with a commanding 6-0 victory over Josh Rock, who has continued to struggle in this season’s Premier League. Price’s clinical play, averaging over 100 and converting six doubles from 11 tries, set the tone. He carried that momentum into the semi-finals with a dominant 6-1 win against the reigning champion Luke Humphries, averaging 109.04 and maintaining pressure from the first dart.
The final started predictably, with Price in full control. He quickly jumped to a 5-0 lead, capitalising on Littler’s early missed chances. After finally getting on the board with a 52 finish, Littler seemed outmatched at 5-1. But Price missed several opportunities to close out the match, including a crucial miss at double top for a 72 checkout.
Seizing the moment, Littler struck back with a 76 checkout, shifting the momentum. The Dublin crowd got behind him as he rattled off consecutive legs, eventually tying it at 5-5 after Price missed another double. In the deciding leg, Littler sealed the comeback with a precise 81 checkout, combining treble 17 and double 15, leaving everyone in the arena stunned.
Beyond the headline final, Night Seven had other significant developments in the playoff race. Jonny Clayton, the league leader, took his first quarter-final defeat of the season, losing 6-3 to Luke Humphries. This not only ended Clayton’s unbeaten run at this stage but handed him his first pointless night.
Josh Rock’s struggles also continued. After seven weeks, he remains without a win, suffering a heavy defeat to Price and staying at the bottom of the table as his Premier League debut continues to be a tough challenge.
There was a last-minute change when Gian van Veen withdrew due to illness, giving Van Gerwen a walkover into the semi-finals. Still, Van Gerwen couldn’t take advantage of the extra rest, falling to Littler in a nail-biting deciding leg in the semis.
HOW THE KNICKS PLAN TO REPLACE JOSH HART’S HISTORIC ENERGY
Josh Hart is out with knee pain, but Jalen Brunson returns as the Knicks eye a fifth straight win against the Nets.
The Knicks face a tough challenge Friday night as they’ll be without one of their key glue guys. Josh Hart is sidelined with patellofemoral syndrome in his right knee, a hit that comes at a pretty awkward moment. The team’s riding a four-game winning streak and trying to solidify their playoff standing in the Eastern Conference.
With Hart out, Landry Shamet is expected to slide into the starting lineup. Coach Mike Brown might lean more heavily on veteran Jordan Clarkson and rookie Mohamed Diawara to cover those extra minutes on the floor.
There’s a bit of good news to balance this out: Jalen Brunson is back after missing Tuesday’s game due to a sore ankle and neck strain. That gets the Knicks’ offensive engine back in gear, but losing Hart carries a different kind of weight.
Hart’s been central to this group all season, not just scoring, but keeping the lineups cohesive and pushing the tempo. His relentless hustle, grabbing rebounds, leading fast breaks, and doing the gritty work, helps the whole team click. Brown has openly praised how crucial Hart’s energy and connection are.
“He’s been fantastic, giving us that energy, keeping our group connected,” Brown said after their recent win. “Crashing the boards, picking up the pace, attacking in transition – those are the things that make a difference.”
Brown even compared Hart’s impact to what Andre Iguodala brought to championship-winning teams. It’s that veteran savvy and basketball IQ that might not always show up in stats, but often marks the difference between just making it and truly winning.
Hart’s recent game really underscored what he adds when he’s firing on all cylinders. In Tuesday’s 136-110 rout of the Pacers, he exploded for a Knicks career-high 33 points, hitting 12 of 13 shots and draining all five of his threes. On top of that, he grabbed seven rebounds, dished five assists, and swiped two steals in just 26 minutes.
That wasn’t just a hot streak; it was historic. Hart became the first NBA player ever to score at least 30 points, hit five threes, grab five rebounds, and dish out five assists all on 90% shooting or better. He also joined a very exclusive Knicks group with a 30-point night at 90% shooting.
Thanks in large part to him, New York cruised to a 45-25 season mark. OG Anunoby added 26, Karl-Anthony Towns notched a double-double, and the team looked strong overall.
Now the focus shifts to the supporting cast as the Nets come to town. Shamet will bring much-needed shooting to the starting five. Clarkson’s scoring punch is going to be even more important with Hart out, and Diawara should see more extended minutes, especially on defence.
The Nets will be eager to play spoiler, so the Knicks will need everyone diving after loose balls, maintaining the pace, and staying connected. It will definitely take a collective effort to cover for Hart’s absence.
Hart’s knee issue doesn’t seem like it will drag on, but missing him highlights just how pivotal he has become to New York’s success this season. Brunson’s return helps keep the offence on track, but replacing everything Hart offers, especially following a night like that, is no easy feat.
