Kyle Kuzma: ‘Everyone said I would be a second-round pick or undrafted’

Around the Los Angeles Lakers, his success as a potential cornerstone alongside Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram is a credit to his dedication and a determined mindset from his life’s journey. In a talented and deep draft full of prospects, Kuzma has become one of the most impressive of them all — a versatile forward […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021
Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe Trade Talks

The Detroit Pistons offered a package including point guard Reggie Jackson and a first-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for guard Eric Bledsoe, a league source told Basketball Insiders. Phoenix turned down the proposal, Basketball Insiders has learned. Jackson, 27, has averaged 16.4 points, 6.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 28.8 minutes per […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  06 Nov 2023
Mario Hezonja Trade Talks

Orlando has explored the trade market on former No. 5 overall pick Mario Hezonja, league sources told Basketball Insiders. The Magic must decide whether to exercise his fourth-year $5.2 million team option by 11:59 PM Eastern Time today. The Sacramento Kings and Magic discussed a swap of Malachi Richardson and a second-round pick for Hezonja […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  09 Oct 2023
LeBron James on Cavs Struggles: ‘We’re fine. It’s a long season’

The Cleveland Cavaliers were beaten 123-101 by the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, marking their third loss in four games, but the early skid is not too concerning for LeBron James. “I’m fine,” James said after finishing with 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds while filling in at point guard again as Derrick Rose continues to be sidelined with a […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021
Blake Griffin: ‘I had unfinished business’ in Los Angeles

They were sitting in a meeting on the eve of free agency, when one of the NBA’s icons captured the room for Blake Griffin. With owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and Los Angeles Clippers teammates, Jerry West captivated Griffin, who made clear his desire to return. West had been hired as a special consultant […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021
Bobby Portis Apologizes to Bulls for Mirotic Fight

Bobby Portis has apologized to his Bulls teammates for getting into a fight that left Nikola Mirotic with facial fractures and a concussion. “He didn’t address us today, but he did address the team before so that was taken care of,” Bulls swingman Justin Holiday said after Friday’s practice. Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg acknowledged that […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021
Kevin McHale: ‘Calling me names is not going to change my opinion’ of James Harden

Kevin McHale continued his war of words with Houston Rockets star James Harden on Friday. The former Rockets coach turned TV analyst had fired the opening salvo last week by declaring that Harden is “not a leader.” Harden responded by calling McHale “a clown” and questioning his character. “Calling me names is not going to change my opinion as to […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021
Sources: Joel Embiid Extension Protects 76ers In Case of Injury

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid’s five-year, $146.5 million maximum extension is essentially guaranteed but protects the franchise financially should Embiid suffer a contractually specific catastrophic injury, league sources told ESPN. Embiid, 23, signed the rookie-scale max extension Tuesday, with the $146.5 million total for the deal based on the NBA’s new salary cap projections for the 2018-19 […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021
Release: NBA Revamps All-Star Game

NBA All-Star Weekend begins on February 16, 2018. The festivities will take place in Los Angeles, California, but when they do, things will be much different than we’ve come to know. On October 3, the NBA and NBPA issued a joint press release announcing that the game’s traditional format which featured the All-Stars of the […]

Basketball Insiders  •  15 Oct 2021