Basketball - Los Angeles Lakers news

• Nick Van Exel: Kobe Bryant Feared No One, Including Michael Jordan

  14-09-2026 16:20 via lakersnation.com
  
  When the Los Angeles Lakers traded to acquire Kobe Bryant on draft night in 1996, there was a considerable amount of risk, as Bryant was coming out of high school and Shaquille O’Neal was on the roster looking to win championships.
  What made the Philadelphia native different is that he was not afraid of anything, no moment became too bright for him. Former teammate Nick Van Exel detailed Bryant’s mentality during his rookie season, revealing he wanted to play Chicago Bulls legend aga
  
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• Lakers Sign Forward Anton Watson

  18-09-2026 02:29 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers announced they have signed forward Anton Watson. The terms of the deal were not disclosed but it presumably is an Exhibit 10 contract.That will allow Watson to spend training camp and the preseason with the Lakers and then have his contract transferred over to the Coachella Valley Lakers in the G League if he does not make the parent squad or land elsewhere.
  Watson (6’8”, 225) appeared in 50 games (34 starts) for the South Bay Lakers during the 2025-26 season,
  
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• Michael Porter Jr. Doesn’t Believe Lakers Have Championship-Contending Roster

  17-09-2026 21:40 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers completely overhauled their roster this summer, bringing in the likes of Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili while losing LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard.
  Several members of the Lakers coaching staff and front office have expressed excitement about the new additions, believing they are better fits on the court with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
  However, others around the NBA aren’t convinced that the Lak
  
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• Who Lakers Might Cut To Get Roster To 15 Players

  17-09-2026 20:15 via lakersnation.com
  
  The NBA allows for 15 players under fully guaranteed contracts at the start of each season, along with three two-way contracts. The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 16 players under guaranteed contracts, which is allowed for the time being, but will need to be trimmed down before Opening Night on Oct. 21.
  The Lakers have been rumored to be eyeing some trades with players such as Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt being mentioned, and it is still possible that could be the case. However, the mo
  
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• Breaking Down Options Lakers Could Cut To Get Roster To 15 Players

  17-09-2026 20:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  The NBA allows for 15 players under fully guaranteed contracts at the start of each season, along with three two-way contracts. The Los Angeles Lakers currently have 16 players under guaranteed contracts, which is allowed for the time being, but will need to be trimmed down before Opening Night on Oct. 21.
  The Lakers have been rumored to be eyeing some trades with players such as Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt being mentioned, and it is still possible that could be the case. However, the mo
  
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• Mark Walter Sells Chelsea FC Ownership Stake

  17-09-2026 18:25 via lakersnation.com
  
  Mark Walter shocked the sports world earlier this year when it was announced he would be selling his controlling ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.
  Walter had just purchased his majority stake a year ago from the Buss family, and flipping a sports team that quickly was essentially unheard of. As Walter deals with a federal investigation for potential financial improprieties though, he has needed to come up with some cash quickly.
  The Lakers’ sale was th
  
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• Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur Compares Trey McBride To Luka Doncic

  17-09-2026 16:45 via lakersnation.com
  
  While some athletes are blessed with elite speed, power and athleticism, there are others who must rely on other, non-physical traits to be successful. That is the case with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, who uses his ability to control speeds, pace and angles, along with elite vision and IQ to be one of the dominant forces in today’s game.
  That can also be the case in other sports and one of those athletes who has been dominant despite not having the most elite physical traits
  
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• Lakers News: Ziaire Williams Takes Pride In Defense

  17-09-2026 15:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers knew that point-of-attack defense has been a weakness of the team for several years, and it would need to be addressed as they revamped the roster this summer. They didn’t fully address it with their major signings — Quentin Grimes is the only non-negative POA defender they gave a multi-year contract to — but they tried to with their marginal signings in Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle.Williams and Thybulle both received one-year minimum deals from L
  
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• Lakers Unveil Austin Reaves Bobblehead For Dec. 27 Vs. Grizzlies

  17-09-2026 01:13 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a first look at their first Austin Reaves bobblehead fan giveaway on Sunday, Dec. 27 against the Memphis Grizzlies.#Lakers have unveiled the Austin Reaves bobblehead they are giving out on Dec. 27. pic.twitter.com/rDeHHIpD8h
  — Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) September 16, 2026
  Fans in attendance at the Lakers’ contest will receive the giveaway item. Also, this season, the Lakers will give out a bobblehead of Luka Doncic commemorating his 2025-26 NBA Scor
  
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• Richard Sherman Opens Up About Relationship With Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant

  16-09-2026 22:10 via lakersnation.com
  
  Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had a massive impact on so many people around the world as he inspired many to pursue their dreams in whatever field they desired and put everything they could into achieving their goals. One of those was former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman who was a five-time All-Pro and one of the best of his generation at his position.
  Sherman grew up in Compton and was a huge fan of Bryant and the Lakers. And just getting to meet Bryant for the first time was a huge de
  
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• NBA Projecting Higher-Than-Expected Salary Cap For 2027-28 Season

  16-09-2026 20:15 via lakersnation.com
  
  The NBA salary cap climbs every season, as new money comes in via broadcasting rights deals and to match inflation. However, recent seasons have seen modest gains that came in lower than expected. The new TV deal was expected to bring annual raises of around 10%, but the reality has been closer to 6%.This is because of the trouble surrounding local broadcasting channels and deals. Local stations — like the Lakers’ Spectrum SportsNet — have been under the microscope for their st
  
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• JJ Redick Discusses Involvement In Rebuilding Pacific Palisades Rec Center

  16-09-2026 18:40 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena were devastated in the winter of 2025 when wildfires ravaged both towns. Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick lived in the Palisades, and was devastated for the loss of memories from his home, and the loss that the entire community suffered.Redick hadn’t been in the Palisades long — having only accepted the head coaching job in the summer of 2024 — but he had already become a major part of that community, and made
  
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• WATCH: Luka Doncic & Lakers Celebrate Kobe Day At Slovenian Hospital

  16-09-2026 16:10 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers trip to Slovenia was all about team bonding, getting to know each other and beginning to build that chemistry amongst a roster full of new faces. The Luka Doncic-hosted trip also coincided with one of the biggest days of the year for the Lakers and their fans everywhere, Aug. 24, aka Kobe Day.
  The day, of course, is the combination of Kobe Bryant’s two numbers, 8 and 24, and babies born on this day are often referred to as “Kobe Babies.” As such, with the
  
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• Lakers Rumors: Maxi Kleber Potentially Joining Luka Doncic’s European Team

  16-09-2026 16:10 via lakersnation.com
  
  Last season, one of the unsung heroes for the Los Angeles Lakers was big man Maxi Kleber. While he was never really part of the regular rotation, head coach JJ Redick regularly turned to Kleber when the team was dealing with injuries or just needed a boost and more often than not he came through.
  Kleber is one of many players who hit free agency but won’t be returning to the Lakers this season, though he may remain linked to the team and specifically, superstar Luka Doncic. The Lakers guar
  
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• Lakers Rumors: Maxi Kleber Potential Joining Luka Doncic’s European Team

  16-09-2026 15:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  Last season, one of the unsung heroes for the Los Angeles Lakers was big man Maxi Kleber. While he was never really part of the regular rotation, head coach JJ Redick regularly turned to Kleber when the team was dealing with injuries or just needed a boost and more often than not he came through.
  Kleber is one of many players who hit free agency but won’t be returning to the Lakers this season, though he may remain linked to the team and specifically, superstar Luka Doncic. The Lakers guar
  
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• Adam Silver: NBA Found No Red Flags When Vetting Mark Walter For Lakers Ownership

  15-09-2026 23:55 via lakersnation.com
  
  The biggest story surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers as of late has been all of the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the team. First came the shocking news that Mark Walter, who had barely owned the team for a year, had agreed to sell his majority shares to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at a $12.5 billion valuation. And with some of Walter’s dealings under federal investigation, there have been plenty of questions about why he chose to sell.
  This was followed by news of five of the six
  
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• American Pro Sports Leagues & Players Unions Unite To Crack Down On Harassment Over Sports Betting

  15-09-2026 20:28 via lakersnation.com
  
  Gambling has been a part of the sports world for decades now, though for much of the time it has been more in the background and underworld. But over the past few years, that has changed as sports gambling has become mainstream. Gambling is a part of every major sports broadcast these days with commercials flooding the market and the shows themselves giving out best bets, not to mention shows dedicated solely to gambling.
  Unfortunately that growth, along with how big social media has gotten, has
  
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• Lakers Unveil Luka Doncic Bobblehead For Nov. 1 Vs. Raptors

  15-09-2026 18:53 via lakersnation.com
  
  Luka Doncic’s first full season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers was one to remember. The superstar put on some legendary performances on his way to being named to his sixth All-NBA First Team and winning his second career NBA scoring title.
  Now coming into this year, Doncic is looking to do more of the same, and the Lakers are choosing to celebrate his 2026 scoring title with a bobblehead giveaway on Nov. 1 when they host the Toronto Raptors. And the franchise recently unveiled the b
  
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• Get To Know New Lakers Director Of Integrated Performance Systems Keith D’Amelio

  15-09-2026 16:20 via lakersnation.com
  
  One of the focuses for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason was building out their front office staff and expanding multiple departments throughout the franchise. In comparison to other teams around the league, the Lakers’ front office staff was pretty bare bones and in order to improve this franchise on all levels, they needed to grow.
  The Lakers spoke about wanting to hire two assistant general managers to operate under general manager Rob Pelinka and they quickly hired Rohan Ramadas to
  
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• Lakers News: Jaden Hardy ‘Super Excited’ To Play With Luka Doncic Again

  15-09-2026 15:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers are currently focused on building a championship-level roster around Luka Doncic in order to get back into contention. One way to do that is to bring in players he has a history with and they did exactly that with both Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy.
  Specifically for Hardy, the Lakers acquired him in a trade from the Washington Wizards for Deandre Ayton and two second-round picks. After showcasing his offensive talent in his stint with Washington, the 24-year-old is ready
  
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• Lakers Legend Shaquille O’Neal Named Global Ambassador For NordVPN

  14-09-2026 22:15 via lakersnation.com
  
  NordVPN, one of the leading digital security apps in the world, has announced a global partnership with Los Angeles Lakers icon Shaquille O’Neal. The duo will collaborate on educating users about the digital threats that are tackled by NordVPN’s next-generation antivirus.O’Neal has become a major influence in the business world with partnerships stretching across multiple different avenues. O’Neal is known for partnerships with the likes of The General Insurance and Papa
  
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• Jeanie Buss To Represent Lakers At NBA Board Of Governors Meetings

  14-09-2026 20:30 via lakersnation.com
  
  The NBA Board of Governors meetings are set to take place this week, which, for the Los Angeles Lakers, brings up an interesting question of exactly who is the team’s governor at this point. Jeanie Buss has been operating as Lakers governor, but with the drama and uncertainty surrounding the team’s sale, and her siblings desires to sell their minority shares, it is a bit unclear where everything stands at this moment.
  While nothing is for sure, it is expected that Jeanie will be atte
  
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• Lakers Sale Not Expected To Be Voted On At Upcoming NBA Board Of Governors Meetings

  14-09-2026 19:26 via lakersnation.com
  
  The sale of any team is subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors with at least 23 of the 30 owners needing to vote positively in order for the sale to go through. With the Board of Governors meetings taking place this week, many believed the recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger would undergo a vote, but that seems unlikely.
  According to Tom Friend of the Sports Business Journal, the sale from Walter to Kushner and Iger is not expected to be
  
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• Trevor Ariza: LeBron James’ Time With Lakers Should Be Celebrated

  14-09-2026 15:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  Now that LeBron James’ time with the Los Angeles Lakers has officially come to an end, many are looking back on it and there have been differing opinions. While most acknowledge all that James accomplished in the purple and gold, there has always been this lingering feeling amongst many that he never felt like a Laker in the way that others like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson did.
  One person who is more than qualified to speak to this is Trevor Ariza, who played alongside both Bryant and Ja
  
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• Lakers Rumors: Marcus Smart Was ‘Ready To Forward’ In Different Situation

  13-09-2026 22:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  It felt like a no-brainer for the Los Angeles Lakers to retain Marcus Smart this offseason, especially after his first-round postseason performance. LeBron James and Smart were two critical reasons as to why L.A. upset the Houston Rockets while missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for a majority of the series.
  The veteran guard rehabbed his value in Los Angeles and became a vital defensive leader for head coach JJ Redick. Unfortunately, once free agency opened, it was apparent that Smart was no
  
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• Lakers News: JJ Redick Recalls Requesting Memorabilia From Ray Allen & Stephen Curry

  13-09-2026 20:30 via lakersnation.com
  
  Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick has proven that his track record as an NBA player is translating to his time on the sidelines.
  In what is a surprise to many, the Lakers looked the part of a playoff team under Redick in his first two seasons at the helm. Redick’s even done well to take accountability for his own missteps, something that was sorely lacking from the regime.
  Redick has got a great knack for relating to players due to his own experience in the league and he discussed so
  
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• Bulls’ Norman Powell Calls Lakers Most Overrated Team In NBA

  13-09-2026 17:47 via lakersnation.com
  
  Expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers this upcoming season have been mixed because no one truly knows how all these new pieces will come together. However, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are a formidable backcourt to build around, and they added some quality pieces as well.
  Despite this being an entirely new roster with no LeBron James, championship expectations remain for Los Angeles. For Chicago Bulls guard Norman Powell, though, he believes the Lakers are the most overrated team in the NBA:N
  
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• Magic Johnson Believes Dr. Jerry Buss Deserves Next Lakers Statue

  13-09-2026 16:30 via lakersnation.com
  
  When thinking about the success of the Los Angeles Lakers, the immediate association is with the Buss family, specifically Dr. Jerry Buss. He bought the Lakers in 1979 and turned the team into a powerhouse, which began with the Showtime era.
  The NBA propelled into immense popularity during the 1980s with a historic rivalry between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics. As L.A. continues to immortalize historic figures that have stepped through the organization, Magic Johnson believes Dr. Buss deserv
  
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• Ziaire Williams Discusses What He Has Worked On This Offseason

  13-09-2026 15:00 via lakersnation.com
  
  Exactly how the Los Angeles Lakers’ rotation will look this season with so many new faces on the roster is unclear. But one intriguing player who could play a big role, and perhaps even be a starter on this team is forward Ziaire Williams.
  Even though he has been in the NBA for five years, Williams is still just 25 years old and has steadily improved every season since joining the league. Now in his return home to Southern California, Williams is looking to make a big impact for the Lakers
  
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• Lakers Standard Issue Collection By Nike: T-Shirts, Shorts And More

  12-09-2026 22:10 via lakersnation.com
  
  The Los Angeles Lakers are among eight teams that will introduce a new Specter Edition jersey for the 2026-27 season, which is arriving alongside Nike’s NBA Standard Issue Collection.
  The collection of hoodies, pants, t-shirts and shorts is designed in two tones. Some items feature bold, oversize graphics, while other products are more understated pieces.
  “Basketball is more than a game — it’s a culture and a form of self-expression,” Nike Basketball vice president/
  
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