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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)   The Los Angeles Lakers have had one superstar after another fall into their lap, most recently when the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to them out of the blue for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round draft pick. Analyst Charles Barkley recently shared that he was almost another one of those superstars who found themselves with the Lakers, only to have it reversed. During a recent episode of his podcast with Ernie Johnson, Barkley answered a question about NBA trades that almost happened during his playing days. “I got traded to the Lakers. True story. … My agent calls me: ‘The Sixers pulled out the deal.’ … That’s the weirdest trade situation I ever been involved in,” Barkley said, via NBA on TNT. The time Charles Barkley was traded to the Lakers …And then untraded pic.twitter.com/VIySbFMojG — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 28, 2025 The story perhaps explains some of his disdain for the Lakers, which has been ap...

(Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)   With the 2024-25 NBA regular season heading toward its conclusion, the playoffs are right around the corner. Contenders have a couple of months to solidify their home-court advantage, while other teams are looking to fight their way into the play-in tournament or push for a better seed. ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith recently revealed his list of the top five players who need to show out in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. From No. 5 to No. 1, they were Luka Doncic, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell and Ja Morant, via “First Take.” . @stephenasmith ranks the top 5 players who need to SHOW OUT in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/9kkCWBXdqg — First Take (@FirstTake) February 28, 2025 Doncic, Davis and Butler all were moved before the trade deadline and now play vital roles on teams with short windows of contention, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors, respectively, all built around aging superstars...

(Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Fanatics)   NBA legends often spark heated debates when they share their all-time starting five, revealing both their basketball philosophy and generational bias in the process. Tracy McGrady, never one to shy away from a bold statement, recently joined this tradition with a lineup that’s generating plenty of conversation. The seven-time All-Star constructed a dream team that carves out a spot for himself among royalty from his era. “Tracy McGrady lists his all-time starting five: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Himself, Tim Duncan, Shaq,” ClutchPoints wrote on X. Tracy McGrady lists his all-time starting five – LeBron James – Kobe Bryant – Himself – Tim Duncan – Shaq Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/jRCtEvmrPf — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 27, 2025 McGrady’s selections blend conventional wisdom with personal preference. Though James has traditionally operated as a small forward, his playmaking abilities and court vision ...

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)   The NBA trade rumor mill is churning once again with a potential blockbuster looming in the future. After a stint that has failed to deliver a championship, the Phoenix Suns reportedly are considering trading Kevin Durant. Former NBA star Carmelo Anthony recently weighed in on Durant’s potential next destination, making a compelling case for a homecoming scenario. “KD to the [Washington] Wizards. I would like to see him in the Wizards,” Anthony said on his podcast, via NBACentral. “… End it back home. You ain’t gon’ go chase, you ain’t gon’ go with these other teams that’s out there. You already got your rings, go to the Wizards, bring the energy back to D.C. … Your family, your mom, friends there, go rekindle that fire back out there in D.C.” Melo wants the Wizards to be KD’s next team “Go to the Wizards, bring the energy back to DC … give KD his farewell tour after a couple years.” ( @7PMinBrooklyn ) pic.twitter.com/3Z440d4Bcr — NBA...

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)   They may no longer play together, but that doesn’t mean that Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic don’t still care about each other. According to a new report from Ramona Shelburne, per Legion Hoops, Irving feels “protective” of Doncic and has stayed in touch with him since the big trade to the Los Angeles Lakers was announced. The report states that Irving has been checking in on Doncic’s “emotional state” more than anything else and making sure he is okay since this life-changing event occurred. REPORT: “Kyrie Irving has stayed in touch with [Luka] Doncic since the trade, checking on his emotional state more than anything. He feels protective of Doncic.” (via @ramonashelburne , h/t @NationMffl ) pic.twitter.com/KjrNrb48u4 — Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 27, 2025 When he came to the Dallas Mavericks, Irving immediately started playing a big brother role to Doncic. Irving is 32 years old and has been in the league for 13 years now....

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)   While the New York Knicks have a strong 38-20 record, there are reasons for them and their fans to be concerned. They have lost every single game this season versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics, and a growing number of people feel they’re pretenders instead of legitimate championship contenders. One player the Knicks are missing who could help them take another step forward is center Mitchell Robinson, who has been out since last season due to an ankle injury. He has been inching closer to a return, and per Ian Begley, head coach Tom Thibodeau said the big man is feeling OK after participating in practice. Mitchell Robinson is feeling fine today after going through practice yesterday, Tom Thibodeau said — Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 26, 2025 There have been people calling for Robinson to start once he returns and for Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been starting at the 5 spot, to move to power forward,...

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)   There have been a few teams across the NBA who have exceeded expectations this season, and it has made their head coach a candidate for the Coach of the Year award. But right now, there is one heavy favorite to come away with that honor. According to betting odds from Bovada, Kenny Atkinson, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is an overwhelming favorite to win Coach of the Year, via NBACentral. Kenny Atkinson remains the heavy favorite to win Coach of the Year, per @BovadaOfficial Kenny Atkinson -750 J.B. Bickerstaff +750 Taylor Jenkins +2000 Ime Udoka +2500 Mark Daigneault +2500 JJ Redick +5000 Joe Mazzulla +25000 Tyronn Lue +25000 https://t.co/dQpEoJ74nv pic.twitter.com/VCQ0sGXjG0 — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 26, 2025 Atkinson is in his first year at the helm of the Cavaliers after they parted with J.B. Bickerstaff following last season. Coincidentally, Bickerstaff, now head coach of the Detroit Piston...

(Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty Images)   The Phoenix Suns find themselves at a crossroads this season. Sitting below .500 and carrying a hefty payroll, the organization faces tough decisions about its future. Though a rebuild might make sense, several factors complicate the situation. Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause limits flexibility, and Devin Booker remains the cornerstone of the franchise, making him nearly untouchable in trade discussions. This naturally shifts attention toward Kevin Durant as the potential trade piece that could reshape the Suns. They considered moving Durant before the trade deadline, but the veteran wasn’t interested in changing teams during the season. However, the upcoming offseason could present a different scenario. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst recently offered insight into Durant’s situation. “Well, they’re going to trade him, and he knows that. … KD is setting himself up for his last act. I think everybody’s intentions are crystal clear here,...

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)   The Charlotte Hornets are going through a rough patch right now. Charles Lee’s team hasn’t been competitive in the last three games. As shown by NBA Central on X (via CBS Sports), they just logged the worst three-game stretch in NBA history. The Hornets have been historically bad, losing their last three games by a combined 131 points—53 to the Blazers, 42 to the Kings, and 36 to the Warriors It’s the worst three-game stretch in NBA history (Via @CBSSports ) pic.twitter.com/8ekKAzVeuh — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 26, 2025 The Hornets lost the last three games by a combined 131 points: 53 to the Portland Trail Blazers, 42 to the Sacramento Kings, and 36 to the Golden State Warriors. Granted, they were never expected to compete at a high level this season, but these kinds of blowouts are hard to fathom, especially for NBA teams. The Hornets lost star G/F Brandon Miller for the season, and they’re now slated to have o...

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   The Golden State Warriors enjoyed their biggest victory of the Jimmy Butler era on Tuesday evening when they took down the Charlotte Hornets 128-92. Following the game, Butler opened up about playing for his new team, how he feels, and what the vibe is like. In short, he is extremely happy with Golden State. “I really enjoy being in this locker room, being around these guys. Obviously, it’s fun to win. It’s also fun whenever I get to be myself every possession. On and off the floor,” Butler said, via 95.7 The Game. Jimmy Butler III: “I really enjoy being in this locker room, being around these guys. Obviously, it’s fun to win. It’s also fun whenever I get to be myself every possession. On and off the floor.” pic.twitter.com/1qf4BUeZYD — 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 26, 2025 This is a reassuring statement for Warriors fans because everyone knows what happens when Butler isn’t having fun. Just weeks ago, he created a hug...

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)   Both the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers knew that Tuesday night’s game would be emotional because it was the first time Luka Doncic was playing against his former team. And while there were certainly mixed feelings among some people, Kyrie Irving said it was a good night of basketball. Following his team’s loss on Tuesday, Irving stated that the game was “fun” and it was different but exciting to play against Doncic, similar to a practice scrimmage from seasons past. “It was fun competing. Lot of high-level basketball players out there,” Irving said, via NBA on X. "It was fun. It was fun competing. Lot of high-level basketball players out there." – Kyrie on playing against Luka tonight pic.twitter.com/LBcVPrfLHW — NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025 All eyes were on Doncic when the night began because people wanted to see how he would perform against the Mavericks. Would he take out the anger and aggression about the...

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)   Luka Doncic has now played four games with the Los Angeles Lakers, and he has already proven that he’s a vital part of the team. Following the team’s latest big win over the Denver Nuggets, head coach JJ Redick spoke about his plans for Doncic running the offense with Austin Reaves and LeBron James. “You know, I think, Luka needs to be the guy who controls the offense, LeBron and AR, because we gonna stagger everybody, they gonna have their times when they’re gonna be on the ball,” Redick said, per SLO HOOPS FAN. JJ Redick post game talked about Luka’s future role on the Lakers: “You know, I think, Luka needs to be the guy who controls the offense, LeBron and AR, because we gonna stagger everybody, they gonna have their times when they’re gonna be on the ball.” pic.twitter.com/tpRC8bTZFb — SLO HOOPS FAN (@SloHoopsFan) February 23, 2025 Doncic’s latest game had him scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. That was a...

(Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)   The unpredictable nature of NFL careers often sees players hanging up their cleats earlier than anticipated. While many athletes envision lengthy careers stretching into their 30s, the physical and mental demands of professional football frequently chart a different course. Former Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal recently announced his retirement through Instagram, bringing an end to his seven-year NFL journey. The 29-year-old’s career, marked by both triumphs and challenges, showcases the volatile nature of professional football. “Veteran S/LB Keanu Neal, a former first-round pick of the #Falcons, is retiring from the NFL at the age of 29.” The 33 rd Team’s Ari Meirov shared on X. Veteran S/LB Keanu Neal, a former first-round pick of the #Falcons , is retiring from the NFL at the age of 29. pic.twitter.com/20WEQnw3um — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 23, 2025 Selected by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, Neal quickly established hi...

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)   The Boston Celtics are the defending NBA champions. They hold the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and have performed well against the team with the best record in the league this season. That’s why Quentin Richardson can’t fathom why Jayson Tatum doesn’t get enough credit. Talking on ESPN, the former NBA player claimed that he didn’t know what else Tatum could do to finally get some respect and recognition around the league (via ClutchPoints): “Jayson Tatum has been totally disrespected this whole season with the numbers he’s putting up and the season he’s having leading his team… and not to get the credit that he deserves… I don’t understand why we don’t give him more credit?” he asked. "Jayson Tatum has been totally disrespected this whole season with the numbers he's putting up and the season he's having leading his team… and not to get the credit that he deserves… I don't understand why we don't giv...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)   The New York Knicks have been one of the best teams during the 2024-25 NBA season as they own a 37-19 record and sit in third in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are all-in on a title after their busy offseason, trading for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby. Their mix of wings plus the star power of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns gives New York the talent, defense, and size to compete for a title. However, the Knicks took a step back after being blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. New York lost 142-105 in a game that got out of hand early, and Cleveland never let up. After the dispiriting loss, Brunson didn’t have much to say other than he wants to see the team fully healthy again via KnicksMuse. “You can’t explain it… I’m at a loss for words really… I want everyone healthy. That’s what I care about the most. But whatever breakdowns happen, we talk about it for what it is. We don’t say, ‘This wouldn’t have...

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)   Winning a world championship is the hardest thing to do in sports, and it takes a great amount of dedication, hunger and desire, not to mention sacrifice. Oftentimes, players will have to endure painful injuries on the way to a potential championship that otherwise could easily cause them to sit out. That is especially true in the NFL, which is as much a grown man’s league as there is on the sports landscape. One Philadelphia Eagles defensive star recently showed just how much he was willing to play through in pursuit of a title. “Eagles pass rusher Nolan Smith tore his triceps in the Super Bowl LIX win over the [Kansas City] Chiefs, and played through it in the second half, per me and Mike Garafolo. Smith, who performed in the second half on one arm, had surgery on Wednesday and will be ready for the 2025 season,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport wrote on X. #Eagles pass-rusher Nolan Smith tore his triceps in the Super Bowl LIX win o...

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)   The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to get back to where they were two years ago when they were considered a rising power in the NFL. That year, they ended the regular season with a five-game winning streak and rallied in the wild-card round of the playoffs to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers. But in 2024, they were tied for the worst record in the league at 3-14, and they have lots of work to do this offseason in order to become competitive again. With new head coach Liam Coen already in place, the Jaguars have made another major hire. “We have agreed to terms with James Gladstone to become our general manager,” the team announced on X. We have agreed to terms with James Gladstone to become our General Manager. pic.twitter.com/nlLyiWlTed — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) February 21, 2025 A statement from Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. pic.twitter.com/AsQ4mF5YrE — Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) February 21, 2025 Gladstone had be...

(Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)   Trade speculation continues to follow Kevin Durant, even after the Phoenix Suns kept the superstar forward through the deadline. With the Suns struggling and their playoff hopes dimming, discussions about a potential summer shake-up have intensified, leading to intriguing possibilities for Durant’s future. ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith recently highlighted one compelling destination. “Who has more assets to offer than the Oklahoma City Thunder?” Smith said, via Legion Hoops. “If I’m Phoenix, I reach out to Oklahoma City to try to get some of those assets this summer. Because if I pull that off and I got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with KD and Jalen Williams and still keep Chet Holmgren as well? And possibly [Isaiah] Hartenstein? You [are] definitely talking [about winning] a championship in Oklahoma City, then. And they definitely got the assets to do it.” Stephen A. Smith says the Thunder should trade for Kevin Durant: “Who has...

(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)   The San Antonio Spurs delivered devastating news when they announced that Victor Wembanyama will likely miss the remainder of the season. The 21-year-old phenom has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, a condition requiring blood-thinning medication that makes it unsafe for him to play. The issue came to light after Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following his All-Star Game appearance, shifting all attention to his health and recovery. ESPN insider Shams Charania shed more light on the situation, revealing that Wembanyama started experiencing symptoms after the All-Star break. When rest didn’t alleviate the concerns, the Spurs moved quickly to investigate further. “He was still feeling symptomatic, for my understanding, and that’s when the Spurs and when Wembanyama started to administer a battery of tests over the last 24 to 48 hours that found this blood clot in his right shoulder. And the sides...

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)   Los Angeles Lakers fans are still in shock about acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. It sounds like the front office is also still in shock. But even though they have one of the best players in the league on their roster now, they still have a lot of work to do to keep him around. Speaking on ESPN, per NBACentral, Brian Windhorst said the Lakers are facing “immense pressure” to get Doncic to re-sign with the team in the summer. “He never said, ‘I wanna be a Laker.’ There are dozens of players over the years who have made it crystal clear they wanna be Lakers. Luka never said that. This hit him outta the blue,” Windhorst said. The Lakers will be doing a lot between now and the summer to set Doncic up for long-term success in Los Angeles. Windhorst says LA is under immense pressure to get Luka to re-sign “He never said, ‘I wanna be a Laker.’ There are dozens of players over the years who have made it crystal clear t...

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)   The Minnesota Vikings face a pivotal decision this offseason regarding quarterback Sam Darnold’s future with the franchise. The conversation gained new momentum when star receiver Justin Jefferson recently expressed his desire for Darnold to stay, and now Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter has joined the chorus of voices weighing in on the quarterback’s fate. Carter’s perspective, however, comes with an interesting twist. Rather than simply advocating for Darnold’s return, he suggests a strategic approach that aligns with recent reports about the Vikings’ stance on using their franchise tag. During his appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, Carter laid out his reasoning for keeping Darnold in Minnesota. “You franchise him because having a quarterback like Sam (Darnold) and the year he had, he will always be a commodity. You eventually will be able to trade him.” Cris Carter says stick with Sam Darnold. pic.twit...

(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)   When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Jameis Winston the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, it sparked intense debate across the league. Despite possessing all the physical tools and potential to be a franchise quarterback, questions lingered about his ability to transition to the professional level and manage the expectations that come with being a top draft pick. Like many rookie quarterbacks before him, Winston faced immense pressure, though his game logs revealed steady improvement throughout his debut season. Looking back at those early days, Winston recently opened up about his rookie year experience on the Bussin With The Boys podcast. His biggest regret? Gradually accepting defeat in a way that went against his natural competitive spirit. “I started to be okay with losing those games. That’s why I said ‘Nah, I compromised too much.’ It wasn’t me.  If you take a step backwards, that is gonna hurt you way more than tak...

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   The new CBA agreement makes it hard for NBA teams to have Big 3s. Now, it’s all about power duos, as stacking up big contracts leads to some steep financial penalties. As such, third-scoring options aren’t as prominent as they were five or six years ago. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of great third options. With that in mind, Patrick Beverley took some time to share his thoughts on the five best in the category. Patrick Beverley lists his top 5 3rd options in the NBA right now: 1. Austin Reaves 2. Kyle Kuzma 3. Norman Powell 4. Mikal Bridges 5. Kristaps Porzingis Do you agree with Pat Bev? (via @PatBevPod ) pic.twitter.com/aGFVDt2nTC — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2025 At No. 5, he had Kristaps Porzingis. The Boston Celtics didn’t need him, but adding him was the ultimate luxury. He can excel on both ends of the floor, and his combination of rim protection and floor spacing makes him a true unicorn....

(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)   The Jacksonville Jaguars’ foundation has been shaken up this offseason after the team unsurprisingly fired head coach Doug Pederson as soon as the NFL season ended. This was shortly followed up by the firing of general manager Trent Baalke after it became clear to ownership that his presence was hindering the head coach hiring process. While the front office and coaching staff has been overhauled, quarterback Trevor Lawrence isn’t going anywhere and he recently shared his honest thoughts about the firing of his head coach. During a recent appearance on Up & Adams, Lawrence spoke with Kay Adams about whether or not he was surprised by Pederson’s firing. “I have a lot of respect and appreciation for Coach Pederson and what he’s done for me and the belief he showed in me. I don’t know about surprised just because this is a results business…but we still touched base after and we’re gonna stay in touch and that respect is always gonna ...

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)   The 2024 NBA All-Star Game is rolling out an innovative format, transforming into a thrilling four-team tournament. NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith have each drafted their squads, while the fourth team will be coached by Candace Parker, featuring the winners of Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge. At the center of attention is San Antonio Spurs’ phenom Victor Wembanyama, making his All-Star debut at just 21 years old after being the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The French sensation will suit up for Chuck’s Global Stars alongside NBA stars Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Wembanyama’s mindset heading into the event has caught everyone’s attention. During NBA All-Star Media Day, he made his intentions crystal clear. “I’m definitely not here to make friends,” Wemby declared, as reported by Bleacher Report on X. Wemby sends a warning before his first All-Star Game pic.twitt...