American NBA team in Chicago, founded 1966
The Lakers face a pivotal offseason as LeBron James remains an unrestricted free agent while Luka Dončić suggests there may be distance between the stars. Lakers options center on re-signing LeBron, leveraging Doncic’s two-year contract, and navigating a potential courtship with prize guard Austin Reaves amid one of the franchise’s most consequential summers.
The 19-year-old BYU forward AJ Dybantsa has been selected No. 1 by the Washington Wizards in this year’s NBA draft, after leading NCAA Division I in scoring as a freshman with 25.5 PPG. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson goes No. 2 to Utah, while Duke’s Cameron Boozer is picked No. 3 by Memphis. The Jazz and Wizards assemble a young, high-scoring class.
The Walmart heir Lukas Walton and his wife have acquired a minority stake in the Chicago Bulls and the United Center, with the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families retaining controlling ownership. The deal values and stake size were not disclosed, but reports indicate a roughly 10% share for the Waltons. The transaction includes part of the United Center, home to the Bulls and the Blackhawks, and follows previous private equity moves into NBA teams.
Trey Alexander has been stretchered off the Salt Lake City Summer League court after a rib injury. He is under a two-way contract with Utah and had spent the previous season with New Orleans, after being named G League Rookie of the Year.
LeBron James has confirmed a move to the Philadelphia 76ers for a two-year deal. Donald Trump has publicly commented on who is the best ever, favoring Michael Jordan. The news follows James’s eight-season run with the Lakers and marks a new chapter in his career.
Veteran guard DeMar DeRozan is reportedly signing a one-year, 3.9 million pact with the Denver Nuggets, aiming to chase a championship after being waived by Sacramento. The move adds veteran scoring and backcourt experience as Denver reshapes its roster around Nikola Jokic. The deal includes discussions with Jokic, Gordon and Murray, and follows trade activity involving Peyton Watson.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has publicly apologized in a statement on X for the NBA sanctions that led to a $30 million fine, a five‑first‑round-p picks forfeiture, and a one-year suspension for Ballmer. He says the team is complying with penalties and aims to move forward, while acknowledging disagreements over the investigation’s findings.