RADIO
Quentin Grimes Joins New-Look Lakers Squad
Free-agent wing Quentin Grimes is signing a four-year, $60 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 26-year-old has provided a scoring spark off the bench for the majority of his career, averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Grimes reunites with point guard Luka Doncic in Los Angeles. The duo played together in Dallas to begin the 2024-25 season, when Grimes shot a career-high 39.8% from distance. Grimes could find himself in a starting role in his new city, with the Lakers roster lacking notable names on the wings.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Sandro Mamukelashvili Joins Lakers Frontcourt Rotation
Free-agent forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a fourth-year player option. The 27-year-old exceeded expectations in his lone season with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3% from the field and 38.9% from downtown. Mamukelashvili rarely started with the Raptors, but that is likely to change in Los Angeles following the departure of LeBron James. His defensive inefficiencies can be masked by new center Walker Kessler, while providing important floor spacing for the Luka Doncic-run offense.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Lakers Acquire Walker Kessler in Sign-And-Trade With Utah
The Los Angeles Lakers have sent multiple draft picks to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade deal for center Walker Kessler, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Lakers are subsequently giving the 24-year-old a four-year, $130 million contract with a fourth-season player option. Los Angeles was linked to multiple centers this offseason as they searched for a rim-runner to pair with Luka Doncic. Kessler's 2025-26 season was cut short after just five games, but he continued his run of averaging a double-double that dated back to the 2024-25 season. During that campaign, he led the league with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game. Kessler has also averaged 2.4 blocks per game across his four seasons. In return, the Jazz are receiving unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Marcus Smart Signs With Rockets to Reunite With Ime Udoka
Veteran guard Marcus Smart is joining the Houston Rockets on a two-year, $13 million deal with a player option, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The move reunites him with Ime Udoka, who coached him to Defensive Player of the Year in Boston. Smart declined his Lakers option after a bounce-back year, starting 54 of 62 games and averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. Houston hands him runway, especially early as Fred VanVleet works back from a torn ACL. Smart's fantasy pull is in steals and assists, making him a category-league target more than a standard-league scorer.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Luke Kennard Lands in Phoenix
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free-agent guard Luke Kennard has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The deal includes a player option for the second season. Kennard joins the Suns after suiting up for three different teams over the past two campaigns. Across 78 regular-season contests last season between the Hawks and Lakers, the 30-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.7 steals in 21.6 minutes per game. Kennard could see plenty of backcourt minutes with Grayson Allen now in Charlotte.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
LeBron James Prioritizes Title Chase in Free Agency
Free-agent forward LeBron James will be patient and open-minded while choosing his next team, but Chris Haynes reports that his priority is finding a realistic path to a championship. The 41-year-old is still producing at a strong fantasy level, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 60 games for the Lakers last season. The landing spot matters more than the name value now. A contender could protect his minutes or lower his usage, but James still brings enough scoring, passing, and efficiency to hold fantasy value if he remains a central offensive piece. Durability and rest risk will be the bigger concerns.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
Dennis Schroder Enters Cavaliers Trade Talks Amid LeBron James Push
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dennis Schroder has been part of ongoing trade conversations, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, as Cleveland looks to create flexibility for a possible LeBron James addition and Dean Wade return. Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 24.2 minutes last season while shooting just 32.9% from three. His fantasy value in Cleveland was capped by James Harden and Donovan Mitchell controlling the offense, but a trade could help if he lands somewhere with backup point guard minutes and clearer second-unit usage. His shooting still keeps the ceiling modest.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Cavaliers Could Move Max Strus to Clear Room for LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus has been discussed in ongoing trade conversations, according to Jake Fischer, as the Cavaliers look for ways to create space for LeBron James and improve their chances of retaining Dean Wade. Strus averaged 11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season, but he was limited to 12 regular-season games before rejoining the rotation in the playoffs. His $16.7 million expiring salary makes him a logical trade chip, though a move away from Cleveland could cut either way for fantasy. Strus needs steady minutes and high-volume perimeter work to matter, so landing spot would be everything.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Brandon Ingram Shipped To Los Angeles
The Toronto Raptors are sending forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Ingram, who has averaged 20+ points per game in every season since 2019, should assume primary scoring duties for the new-look Clippers squad. The 29-year-old did just that in his lone season with the Raptors, leading the team with 21.5 points and an All-Star nod. Ingram's assist numbers dropped from 5+ per game in New Orleans to 3.7 up north, as more offensive threats in Toronto surrounded him. Now on a less impressive roster, he could be called upon to do more playmaking in Southern California.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
LeBron James Leaving the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will play for a new team in the 2026-2027 season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 41-year-old will play an unprecedented 24th season in the NBA, but it will be his first in colors other than purple and gold since 2018. James averaged 25.9 points per game in his eight seasons with the Lakers, leading the team to a championship in 2020. The NBA's all-time leading scorer has been linked to Golden State to team up with Stephen Curry, and possibly Anthony Davis, if the Warriors trade for the Washington big man. To do so, he'd likely take a significant pay cut. A decision could come as soon as this evening when the free agency window opens.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Marcus Smart Chooses to Become a Free Agent
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart is hitting the open market after declining his $5.4 million player option, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The veteran guard averaged 9.3 points, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game in his lone season with the Lakers. Although he remains a below-average three-point shooter (33% last season), he maintains his reputation as an outstanding perimeter defender. There are rumors of the Houston Rockets being interested in adding Smart, who played under head coach Ime Udoka in Boston.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Deandre Ayton Opts Into Another Season With the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton opted into his $8.1 million player option with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The market for Ayton's services seemingly dried up, making it an easy choice for the former first-overall pick to stay in Los Angeles. While the seven-footer shot a career-best 67.1% last season, he also averaged a career low in points (12.5), rebounds (8), and minutes (27.2). Playing alongside Luka Doncic did raise his efficiency, but his inconsistent defense and effort led to shorter stints on the floor. The Lakers have plenty of roster question marks as free agency begins, and could utilize Ayton's expiring contract in a trade before he becomes a free agent next offseason.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Austin Reaves Signs Four-Year Deal with Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves intends to sign a long-term extension with the organization. According to Shams Charania, Reaves intends to sign a four-year, $185 million deal, which includes a player option for the final year of the contract. Reaves recently declined a $14.9 million player option to get a long-term deal in free agency. The Lakers stated ahead of this deal that bringing back Reaves was a priority for them. He now lands the largest deal for an undrafted player in NBA history. Reaves is well deserving of a long-term contract after the numbers he has posted over the last few seasons. Reaves averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 34.5 minutes per game in 51 contests this past season. He figures to remain a focal point in this offense moving forward.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Cameron Carr Heading to Los Angeles
Guard Cameron Carr is joining the Los Angeles Lakers after the team made a trade with the New York Knicks for the 24th pick in the NBA Draft. The 6-foot-4 guard led the Baylor Bears in scoring last season (18.9 points) while shooting 37% from three. The son of an NBA player, Carr also put together an extensive highlight tape of dunks during his time in Waco. If he can develop into a consistent 3-and-D wing, he'll quickly carve out playing time next to Luka Doncic.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Luka Doncic Wants Lakers to Add High-Level Center
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic has made his preference clear for the franchise to add an A-list center, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren have been mentioned as restricted free-agent targets the Lakers have done due diligence on, while Los Angeles is expected to evaluate other trade and free-agent options. Kessler would give the Lakers a shot-blocking, low-usage finisher, while Duren would bring more scoring, rebounding, and physical roll-man production. Either move would clean up Doncic's playmaking environment, but the bigger fantasy swing may come for whichever center lands next to one of the league's best passers.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
