HEAVY • 13th August 2026

Popular ESPN Personality Predicts Rob Pelinka Lakers Exit After Historic Sale

Stephen A. Smith has never been afraid to make his thoughts heard, and after the historic sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ESPN personality is once again making predictions, this time signaling the end of general manager Rob Pelinka’s time with the franchise.Following the sale of the Lakers from the hands of Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking $12.5 billion, it’s fair to say major internal changes are coming. With that, as Pelinka has reportedly been on the hot seat...

HEAVY • 13th August 2026

Lakers Trade Idea Pairs Luka Doncic With $63M Shooter Over Jonathan Kuminga

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to many names in trade rumors throughout the NBA offseason, and though Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson were two top targets the team was hopeful to land, talks have stalled.With that, the Lakers have been urged to go in a different direction to round out the roster, and Max Strus of the Cleveland Cavaliers remains a name mentioned as one final addition to close out a busy summer full of changes.The Lakers reportedly remain interested in trading either J...

HEAVY • 13th August 2026

Unexpected Luka Doncic News Emerge Amid $12.5B Lakers Sale

Luka Doncic was not consulted before the historic sale of the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion was made public, according to a new report from ESPN.While Doncic was quick to react with a post on social media following the news, as team insider Dave McMenamin reported for ESPN, the Lakers franchise star was in the dark about what is now the fourth sale of a team he’s been a part of in his first eight seasons in the NBA.Along with detailing the imp...

HEAVY • 12th August 2026

Lakers Jonathan Kuminga Trade Odds Spike After Historic Sale

The Los Angeles Lakers ownership is changing once again, following the report by Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN that current owner Mark Walter is selling the franchise to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a historic $12.5 billion, and with that, the team’s hopes of landing Jonathan Kuminga have increased.Walter’s spending power already saw the Lakers get busy in the offseason, but after news of the historic sale, the team’s chances of landing Kuminga in a sign-and-trade are spiking following the bombshel...

HEAVY • 12th August 2026

Buss Family In Talks To Buy New Team After Another Historic Lakers Sale

The Buss family, formerly led by patriarch Dr. Jerry Buss before then spearheaded by his daughter, Jeanie Buss, sold the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter in 2025 for $10 billion, but with the franchise now on the move again, the former owners are already moving on and reportedly in talks to buy a new basketball team.According to a recent report from a few days before the news broke that Walter is set to sell the Lakers again to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a historic $12.5 billion, the Buss fa...

HEAVY • 12th August 2026

Lakers Signal Surprise Bronny James Plan Amid Kuminga Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers had the chance to trade Bronny James, but chose against it in the immediate aftermath of his father, LeBron James, deciding to take his talents out East to the Philadelphia 76ers. While the younger James’ future is not yet set in stone, the Lakers have already guaranteed his contract, and there have been no reports of the team planning on moving the young guard, despite his name being mentioned as an asset in Jonathan Kuminga trade rumors.James is set to make only $2.2 mil...

HEAVY • 11th August 2026

Lakers Opening Day Schedule Release Breaks 8-Year Tradition After LeBron Exit

The Los Angeles Lakers are not playing on the opening day of the 2026-27 NBA season for the first time in eight years. The league released the schedules for the first few days of the upcoming season and for Christmas, and despite being the case in years past with a roster featuring LeBron James, the Lakers have been somewhat relegated after the departure of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.The Lakers’ schedule release does show that the team will be playing on the second night of the NBA season...

HEAVY • 11th August 2026

Pistons Make Clear Stance On Jalen Duren Trade Amid Contract Extension Standstill

The Detroit Pistons‘ 2026 NBA offseason has been highlighted by restricted free agent Jalen Duren and his impending contract extension with the team. Despite being eligible to sign a new deal, Duren and the Pistons have been at a standstill for the entire summer and, according to a new report, still haven’t agreed to terms.While Duren is still technically on the restricted free agent market and has yet to re-sign with the Pistons, according to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst of The Hoop Collect...

HEAVY • 11th August 2026

Lakers Receive Promising Jonathan Kuminga Trade News After Hawks Decision

The Los Angeles Lakers have been at the forefront of trade rumors surrounding restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. While previously with the Atlanta Hawks, recent news on the team could signal the Lakers are closer than before to landing the 23-year-old forward in a deal.As Kuminga remains on the restricted free agent market, the Hawks recently announced news that could very well signal his time in Atlanta is now over, potentially pushing the Lakers up the pecking order to either sign him out...

HEAVY • 10th August 2026

Lakers Trade Idea Sends Bronny James To 76ers For Defensive Ace In 3-Team Deal

The Los Angeles Lakers, ever since the departure of NBA superstar LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, have been linked to a trade that would send the 41-year-old’s son, and current Laker, Bronny James, out East as well.While there hasn’t been any exact reporting on the chances of the younger James joining his father on the 76ers, trade rumors remain, as speculation continues that the league’s all-time leading scorer would like to continue playing with his son, whom the Lakers...

HEAVY • 10th August 2026

Lakers Urged Against Ben Simmons Free Agency Gamble Amid NBA Comeback

Former NBA All-Star Ben Simmons is eyeing a return to the league, and on paper, the thought of the Australian joining the Los Angeles Lakers is intriguing, especially as it looks like he could be a solid replacement option if the team isn’t able to land Jonathan Kuminga, Peyton Watson, or any of their other top wing and defensive-minded trade and free agent targets.However, despite the new report on Simmons’ interest in an NBA return on a minimum contract, the Lakers were urged against making a...

HEAVY • 9th August 2026

Lakers Get Bad News On Stalled Jonathan Kuminga Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ top trade target throughout the 2026 NBA offseason has been Jonathan Kuminga, who, despite being a free agent, would likely arrive through a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks. But despite the Lakers’ continued interest in a Kuminga trade, hopes of that appear fleeting, as, along with the team’s lack of assets, other franchises are entering the mix for the forward, and Los Angeles could lose out on the potential massive upgrade on the wing.While still linked to th...

HEAVY • 8th August 2026

Lakers Urged To Cut Ties With Failed First-Round Pick In Final Roster Decision

The Los Angeles Lakers had a busy 2026 NBA offseason, and despite making a huge roster overhaul, aren’t done with moves just yet. While free agency and trade rumors continue, even if the Lakers can’t land any of their top targets, chances will have to be made, as the team currently has 16 players on the roster, and that number will need to drop to 15 before the upcoming season begins.With that, the notion that the Lakers will need to cut ties with one of their current players feels evident, as d...

HEAVY • 8th August 2026

Lakers’ Jonathan Kuminga Trade Pursuit Faces Warning After Rui Hachimura's Critique

The Los Angeles Lakers went through a summer of wholesale changes, and as forward Rui Hachimura was one of the players who went out, the team remains linked to Jonathan Kuminga as a potential replacement. Kuminga has been heavily mentioned in Lakers trade rumors, but despite any level of interest from both sides in a union, there’s no guarantee adding the controversial 23-year-old will be a good thing for either party.When speaking about his time on the Lakers, Hachimura, now on the Los Angeles...

HEAVY • 7th August 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns Given Big Warning On Knicks Contract Extension

Karl-Anthony Towns was a massive factor in the New York Knicks winning the 2026 NBA championship, but as has been the case for the past year, his future with the team remains uncertain, as the All-Star center has yet to sign a contract extension despite being eligible to do so since last summer.Towns’ name was mentioned in Knicks trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but after not being moved at the deadline, he helped deliver a title to New York alongside Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and the re...

HEAVY • 7th August 2026

Lakers Trade Rumors: Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford Deals Hit Roadblock

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of a few teams heavily mentioned in Klay Thompson trade rumors, as the franchise has been linked to the former Luka Doncic teammate in hopes of adding more shooting on the wings.Along with Thompson, the Lakers remain linked to other Dallas Mavericks players like Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington. But despite Los Angeles’ reported interest in landing any of them, according to a new report, clear roadblocks are in the way of any potential move.As NBA insider Brett Sie...

HEAVY • 7th August 2026

Nuggets Peyton Watson Free Agency Takes Dark Turn, Replacements Emerge

The Denver Nuggets‘ offseason has been highlighted by the Peyton Watson free agency, as he wants a new contract the team currently can’t afford.Despite the Nuggets having hope earlier in the summer that they’d be able to bring back Watson on a team-friendly deal, that no longer seems likely, as the rising-star wing is attracting interest around the league for a price tag Denver wouldn’t be able to match.At the same time Watson’s free agency rumors continue, and the Nuggets’ chances of retaining...

HEAVY • 6th August 2026

Warriors Linked To Ex-Lakers Guard In New Crop Of Free Agent Targets

The Golden State Warriors, despite bringing back Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green, and a few other rotational players, haven’t made any strides in free agency to build a stronger roster around franchise star Stephen Curry.The Warriors have yet to add any free agents so far this summer, and while Curry remains committed to the team regardless of their standing in the Western Conference, a few players could be added to bolster their chances at making a run next year.In a new crop of...

HEAVY • 6th August 2026

Warriors Free Agent Target At Risk After New Offseason Development

The Golden State Warriors are one of three teams in the NBA that have yet to add a player in free agency, and more than a month into the official offseason, any hopes of building a stronger roster around franchise star Stephen Curry look bleak.Despite that, signs point to the Warriors still eyeing the free agent market, and multiple insiders have circulated one name in particular as a potential addition to join Golden State: Kelly Olynyk, who spent last season with the San Antonio Spurs.While Ol...

HEAVY • 6th August 2026

Lakers PJ Washington Trade Rumors Take New Turn Over Mavericks Stance

The Los Angeles Lakers underwent wholesale roster changes this offseason, but according to recent trade rumors, the front office isn’t done making moves yet, as PJ Washington of the Dallas Mavericks continues to be mentioned as a top target.A Lakers trade for Washington wouldn’t come easy considering Los Angeles’ limited assets able to give up in a deal, and while also linked to Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Murphy, and a few other names, it looks as though the Lakers are keen on a deal for the big man...

HEAVY • 5th August 2026

Lakers Jonathan Kuminga Decision Comes With Big Luka Doncic Risk

The Los Angeles Lakers are still keen on signing Jonathan Kuminga to round out their roster this offseason, adding an athletic wing to play alongside Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler.If the Lakers can sign Kuminga, they would likely need to negotiate a multi-year deal with him, and, as reported on multiple fronts, that number could range from $5 to $18 million annually, with the young forward eyeing the higher end of that scale.However, even if the Lakers do add Kuminga, it could c...

HEAVY • 5th August 2026

Lakers Handed Walker Kessler Injury Warning, Backup Trade Targets Emerge

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ offseason was highlighted by the sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz for Walker Kessler, a player the team had been eyeing for a long time and finally landed to play next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.On paper, the Lakers trading for Kessler is a strong move, aided by the fact that Doncic reportedly urged the franchise to target a player of his caliber. But still, regardless of his skill set, Kessler’s injury history is impossible to ignore. The Lakers have struggled in...

HEAVY • 5th August 2026

Pistons Linked To NBA Champ Free Agent Amid Jalen Duren Contract Standoff

The Detroit Pistons still have a few moves to make in free agency if they want to have another chance at finishing atop the Eastern Conference for the second year in a row, and while restricted free agent Jalen Duren leads that list, the team has a few more options on the table to build a true title contender around franchise star Cade Cunningham.Duren’s free agency and a new contract extension have been the leading headline for the Pistons this summer, but for now, focus should shift on roundin...

HEAVY • 4th August 2026

Lakers Trade Rumors: Tabbed To Add $62M 3-And-D Wing Over Kuminga

Despite already being two months into the official NBA offseason, Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors persist, as the team remains interested in a move to add Jonathan Kuminga, while also being linked to several other big names available on the market.However, as the Lakers’ Kuminga trade hopes are slowly dwindling due to his price tag and next contract expectations, other players are slowly entering the mix as potential backup plans and replacements to add on the wings alongside Luka Doncic and Aus...