THE LUKA DONCIC PROBLEM: WHY TRUSTING TEAMMATES IS THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE L.A.
JJ Redick addresses how contract anxiety affects the Lakers' ball movement and calls on Luka Doncic to trust his teammates more.
Like a lot of guys across the league, the Lakers’ free agents have their eyes on the future, trying to lock down their next deal—whether that’s in L.A. or somewhere else. The quickest way to stay in the league? More minutes, more shots, better stats. That’s what gets you paid.
JJ Redick gets it. He spent 15 years in the NBA, four of them with the Clippers, and he’s been in these shoes. “I’ve been there,” he said. “There’s a human side to this. Guys worry about what’s next, especially when you’ve got a roster full of free agents and player options. Of course, they’re thinking about offence. It gets in your head—‘I’ve been out there for five minutes and haven’t even touched the ball.’ That’s just how it is. No one’s to blame.”
The numbers tell the story: five Lakers are in the final year of their contracts, and three more have options for the 2026-27 season. That’s eight guys who could hit free agency this offseason.
LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura, and Maxi Kleber are all in their contract years. Austin Reaves has a player option for next season, but word is he’s waiting to test the market before he decides. The Lakers could put five years and $241 million on the table for him. Marcus Smart, 31, and DeAndre Ayton also have player options.
With so many guys thinking about their next move, it’s no surprise trust can get shaky on the court—especially when it comes to sharing the ball. Redick didn’t call anyone out; he just said it’s a general thing. But he did say getting everyone involved starts with Luka Doncic, their main ball handler.
During Thursday’s 112-104 loss to the Clippers, Doncic put up 27 of the team’s 88 shots (he made 11) and took 13 of their 33 three-point attempts (he hit three).
“He’s going to have the ball more than anyone,” Redick said. “But he’s got to trust his teammates. If two defenders come at him, if he’s surrounded, he’s got to move the ball. We talk a lot about being connected on defence, but you’ve got to be just as connected on offence.”
Doncic knows he’s supposed to get guys involved, but he pointed to their 24 assists on 40 field goals against the Clippers and said, “Not bad.”
“Could be better, obviously. But the ball was moving in the second half; that’s how we got back in it,” Doncic said, talking about the run where the Lakers cut a 26-point lead all the way down to two in the fourth quarter. “JJ said at halftime, the ball needs to move more. That’s what we did.”
LeBron, who handles the ball plenty himself, took 19 shots against the Clippers and made nine. Hachimura went 5 for 11 (2 for 7 from deep), and Smart shot 4 for 10 (1 for 5 from three).
As for his own future, LeBron said he isn’t stressing, even with the trade rumours swirling. After the game, he sounded at ease about sticking with the Lakers. “I’m good. I’m good,” he said.
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.”
