POST-LEBRON ERA: LAKERS EYE TREY MURPHY III AS POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR JAMES
The Lakers are hunting Trey Murphy III! Discover how the Pelicans star could replace LeBron James alongside Luka Dončić in 2026.
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly eyeing some top NBA talent, possibly as a replacement for LeBron James, who just broke another record.
Many felt the Lakers' trade deadline moves were a letdown. Still, it wasn't because they didn't try. By February 5th, their only move was getting Luke Kennard for Gabe Vincent.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka mentioned that the team was aggressive during the deadline. One player they couldn't land was Trey Murphy from the New Orleans Pelicans, and they were in talks for him for months before the deadline.
The price for Murphy was too steep in the season's middle, but things could change this summer. The Lakers will have three first-round picks to trade and roughly $50 million in cap space.
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors will both chase Murphy this summer. If the Pelicans decide to rebuild with their rookies, Murphy could be a hot commodity.
The Lakers' interest in Murphy isn't new. They lacked the assets to trade for him at the deadline, and New Orleans wasn't ready to part with their rising star.
A source said the New Orleans Pelicans informed that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen, and Jeremiah Fears will remain with the organisation past the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
But this could change this summer. Given the Pelicans' struggles, Murphy could have more value to teams with title aspirations. Sidery notes this in his report:
After checking in multiple times before the deadline, the Lakers and Warriors plan to pursue Trey Murphy III again as a top trade target this summer, he wrote. The Pelicans are hesitant to trade Murphy unless they get a lot of draft picks and great prospects.
Even though the Warriors might also try to trade for Murphy, the Lakers have more cap room. They could offer Murphy a better, long-term situation with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, while the Warriors have an ageing Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
If Murphy joined the Lakers, he could fill LeBron James' shoes. James might leave Los Angeles after this season. Murphy wouldn't have the same fame, but he'd be a defensive upgrade from James while having similar offensive skills.
This season, Murphy is averaging career highs in points (22.1), rebounds (5.7), assists (3.8), and steals (1.5) in 52 games for the Pelicans. His shooting splits are .476/.378/.892.
Besides Murphy, the Lakers might go after Peyton Watson, Walker Kessler, Tari Eason, and some other restricted free agents or players they could trade for this summer.
LeBron James set the triple-double record at 41.
Even though the Lakers might be looking for a James replacement, the 41-year-old is showing why it'll be tough. The superstar hasn't said what he'll do next, whether it's joining another team or retiring. He's proving he can still play at a high level, despite some inconsistent performances.
On Thursday, James had 28 points, 12 assists, and ten rebounds in the Lakers' victory over the Dallas Mavericks, making him the oldest player to record a triple-double in NBA history.
I appreciate moments like this more now, knowing where I am in my career, he said after the game. I'm in the later part of my career, so I'm definitely enjoying it a bit more.
James can't win any end-of-season awards because he missed his 18th game of the year earlier in the week. He's been dealing with injuries and health issues since last summer. But after his performance on Thursday, James said that his skills aren't declining, just his body.
"My game isn't going anywhere," he added. It's just my body. Many things will determine how long I play. I don't think my game will ever suffer if I decide to keep playing, no matter how long that is. It just comes down to: How long can I stay passionate about the process?
James' future is uncertain, but it seems like he won't be with the Lakers next season, whether he likes it or not. Los Angeles seems to be trying hard to replace him and his contract with a younger player who can make an impact alongside Doncic and Reaves.
BEYOND SUPER BOWL LX: HOW KEEPING KARL SCOTT SECURES THE SEAHAWKS' DEFENSIVE FUTURE
Fresh off a Super Bowl LX victory, the Seattle Seahawks have retained Karl Scott. Discover why the elite DB coach is staying put.
The Seahawks aren’t wasting any time. Fresh off their Super Bowl LX win over the Patriots, Mike Macdonald is already back at work, piecing together his staff for the 2026 season. The celebration isn’t even over yet, but the NFL machine keeps moving.
One big piece of news: Karl Scott, the defensive pass game specialist and defensive backs coach, is staying put. With Klint Kubiak heading out to coach the Raiders, Macdonald suddenly has a key spot to fill on offence. But he can relax a little on defence; Scott’s not going anywhere.
It’s one of the perks of a Super Bowl run. When your team goes deep into the playoffs, other teams have to wait longer to interview your coaches, and by then, a lot of jobs are already gone. The Seahawks knew Kubiak was leaving for a while, but most of the other top assistants around the league have found new gigs. There are still a few open spots, though, and Scott’s name kept popping up for defensive coordinator jobs, including in Arizona. He’s played a big part in turning Seattle’s defence into one of the toughest groups in the league. After a stint with the Vikings back in 2021, he’s been with the Seahawks for four years now, and his impact shows.
Even with the Seahawks making that Super Bowl run, Scott was getting calls from other teams looking for a defensive coordinator. But he’s decided to stick around at least for now. Reports broke Friday afternoon that Scott won’t be leaving Seattle this offseason. Ian Rapoport from NFL Network shared on X, “Seahawks defensive pass game specialist and DBs coach Karl Scott, who has been in the mix for defensive coordinator jobs, including Arizona’s, is planning to remain with Seattle, I’m told. Fresh off a Super Bowl win for Mike Macdonald’s dominant group, Scott now returns.”
This is a huge win for Macdonald and the Seahawks. Keeping Scott isn’t just about stability; he’s one of the main reasons their pass defence has been so tough to beat. Sure, Scott’s probably going to get his shot at a bigger job sooner rather than later, but for now, Macdonald gets another year with one of the best assistants in the league. And with all the success Scott’s had in Seattle, don’t be shocked if he lands a promotion or draws even more interest for defensive coordinator jobs once the next offseason rolls around. For now, though, he’s all in with the Seahawks.
TRIPLE-DECADE LEGEND: 12-TIME ALL-STAR CHRIS PAUL HANGS UP HIS JERSEY
NBA legend Chris Paul has officially retired at age 40. Discover the "Point God's" legacy, his 21-season career, and what's next.
After 21 seasons, NBA star Chris Paul, now 40, is retiring from pro basketball.
This is it! Paul shared on social media on Friday, Feb. 13. After 21 years, I'm stepping away from basketball. It's hard to know what to feel, and surprisingly, I don't have all the answers for once!
The former Clippers star said he feels a lot of joy and gratitude.
'Though my time as an "NBA player" is done, basketball will always be a part of me,' he said. I’ve been in the NBA for more than half my life, across three decades. It's wild to think about! Playing basketball has been an amazing blessing, but it also comes with responsibility. I embraced it all, good and bad.
This news arrives after Paul's unexpected release from the Clippers, weeks after stating the 2025-26 season would be his last. He is a 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medallist.
'I'm at peace with everything,' Paul told PEOPLE a few days later, saying he has no regrets about his career. I'm excited to be around and possibly play a small role in what comes next.
Earlier this month, Paul was traded to the Toronto Raptors and then waived on Friday when he announced his retirement. From Salem, North Carolina, Paul played seven seasons with the New Orleans Hornets after two years of college ball at Wake Forest, where he helped them become the nation’s No. 1 team.
After his time with the Hornets, Paul spent seven seasons with the Clippers. Then, he moved around to different teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs before his final season back in Los Angeles.
Despite reaching the finals with the Suns in 2021, Paul never won an NBA Championship. Even without a title, he had an impressive career: 11 All-NBA Team picks, seven All-NBA Defensive Team picks, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2006. He made the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying him as one of the league's greats.
'The game always gave me a reason to show up,' Paul shared, mentioning moments like scoring 61 points in high school after his grandfather Nathaniel Paul was killed. Real leaders know that just showing up is half the battle.
After the Clippers cut him in December, Paul told PEOPLE he looked forward to spending more time with his wife, Jada, and their kids, Chris Jr, 16, and Camryn Alexis, 13.
'I'm excited to take all the great lessons basketball has taught me into the next chapter,' Paul said Friday. And especially all the people I've met through basketball.
He finished with: To all my teammates, coaches, staff, executives, and my family, I can’t thank you enough… I'll now have more time to start!