NBA INSIDERS WARN THAT "SOMETHING BIG" IS HAPPENING WITH LEBRON JAMES’S LAKERS FUTURE
NBA insider Jake Fischer reports the Warriors will pursue LeBron James in 2026 free agency as Lakers-Jeanie Buss tension explodes.
LeBron James stood there on the court, arms out, frustrated with the ref after a play against the Bucks at Crypto.com Arena. He was sure he got fouled driving to the basket.
Now, it looks like the Golden State Warriors can’t stop thinking about LeBron either. And honestly, this could really shake things up for the Lakers.
NBA insider Jake Fischer says Golden State plans to go after James when free agency opens. LeBron could hit the market this summer—he’ll be a free agent on June 30. This isn’t exactly great timing for the Lakers, especially after that ESPN report about tension between LeBron and team owner Jeanie Buss.
Fischer says the Warriors are serious. They’re not just watching LeBron—they’ve got their eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo, too.
It’s wild how fast things have changed for the Lakers. Not long ago, it felt like LeBron would just finish out his career in LA. Now, nobody’s sure.
The Warriors have had their sights on LeBron since at least 2024. ESPN reported that they looked into a trade back then, but it didn’t go anywhere.
NBA insider Marc Stein said LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, wasn’t a fan of that idea. According to Stein, the Lakers might have actually sent LeBron to Golden State if he’d asked for it, but Paul shot it down. He didn’t want LeBron to face the backlash of joining a rival yet again—it would’ve been his fourth team switch.
But maybe things are different now.
LeBron is 41. He hasn’t signed an extension. The Lakers haven’t made it clear they want to keep him.
NBA reporter Chris Haynes hinted that something big could be brewing.
After that report about tension between Buss and LeBron, Haynes said the Warriors’ interest might be a sign that change is coming. On SiriusXM NBA Radio, he pointed out how these stories don’t leak for no reason. Usually, when the rumours start flying like this, something’s about to happen.
This all comes after ESPN said Buss was frustrated with LeBron—about everything from how much control he wants over the team to the mess from the Russell Westbrook trade. Buss later said the report wasn’t really fair to LeBron, but it still made people question how solid their partnership is.
LeBron’s contract situation is a huge deal for the Lakers.
Dave McMenamin at ESPN reported that LeBron didn’t ask for an extension last summer, and the Lakers didn’t offer one. Instead, they’re planning for a future built around Luka Dončić. That means LeBron could be a free agent for the first time since 2018.
And there’s the money problem.
The Lakers might have about $50 million in cap space, but Austin Reaves could be looking for more than $40 million a year, according to Dan Woike at The Athletic. That’s a tight fit for the Lakers.
Golden State, on the other hand, actually has something real to offer.
The 2024 Paris Olympics showed just how well LeBron and Steph Curry can play together. Both were on Team USA, coached by Steve Kerr (who also coaches the Warriors). They clicked, won gold, and got people talking—what if they teamed up in the NBA?
Steph even told People Magazine last fall that he respects LeBron and loved playing with him after all those years as rivals. Curry posted a picture with LeBron that said, “Same team…winning team,” and fans went crazy, wondering if it could actually happen in the NBA.
The Warriors' wanting LeBron is a big deal. It shows people really believe he might leave the Lakers.
Between the Warriors’ interest, Haynes stirring the pot, and LeBron’s contract up in the air, the pressure’s on LA.
For a while, it felt like LeBron would just ride out his career as a Laker. Now, other teams are lining up, waiting to see if he actually leaves.
Haynes pretty much summed it up: when stories like this start popping up, big changes are usually on the way.
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.
