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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? drops triple-double on Belgium
Sun, Aug 31, 2025, 5:22 AM
Luka Don?i? tallied 26 points (9-of-23 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), 10 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two three-pointers in Sunday's EuroBasket victory over Belgium.
Analysis: After suffering losses to Poland and France in its first two group stage contests, Slovenia earned its first victory on Sunday. Unsurprisingly Don?i? led the way, becoming the fourth player since 1995 to record a triple-double in a EuroBasket game. Also, he is now the youngest player to reach 400 points in a EuroBasket career, knocking Tony Parker out of the top spot. Don?i? is one of three Slovenians to reach that milestone, with Goran Dragic and Jaka Lakovic being the others. While Sunday's victory does not mean Don?i? and Slovenia are out of danger regarding qualifying for the knockout rounds, it is a step in the right direction in a tight Group D. |
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Luka Doncic Doncic shines with 39/8/9 line in loss to France
Sat, Aug 30, 2025, 7:32 AM
Luka Doncic poured in 39 points (8-of-20 FGs, 19-of-20 FTs), eight rebounds, nine assists, two steals, four three-pointers and five turnovers in a 103-95 loss to France on Saturday.
Analysis: Doncic injured his right knee a couple weeks ago, but through two games of EuroBasket, it doesn't appear to be bothering him. After scoring 34 points in Thursday's loss, he was even better during Saturday's loss. Doncic will continue to put up monster numbers, but Slovenia can't afford many more losses in this tournament. He'll look to help them get the win against Belgium on Sunday, assuming Doncic plays the second leg of the back-to-back. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? scores game-high 34 points vs. Poland
Thu, Aug 28, 2025, 10:51 AM
Luka Don?i? tallied 34 points (7-of-14 FGs, 17-of-18 FTs), four rebounds, nine assists, five steals, two blocks and three three-pointers in Thursday's EuroBasket loss to Poland.
Analysis: Having injured his right knee during a pre-tournament friendly against Latvia, Don?i? playing 36 of a possible 40 minutes on Thursday was a positive for him and the Slovenians. However, his gaudy stat line was not enough to get the win, as former Toronto Raptor Jordan Loyd went off for 32 points to lead Poland to a 105-95 victory. Even if most of his teammates struggled, Don?i? looked sharp against Poland, cutting a slimmer figure than last season. The question for him heading into his first full season with the Lakers is whether the new physique will carry over, and if that will positively impact his durability. Don?i? has played 70 games or more in two of his first seven seasons. |
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Luka Doncic Stein: Luka Don?i? (knee) cleared to play Tuesday
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 8:17 AM
Marc Stein
NBA insider Marc Stein reports Luka Don?i? (knee) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's friendly against Great Britain.
Analysis: Don?i? injured his right knee during Saturday's friendly against Latvia, casting some doubt on his status for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket competition. However, Slovenia's national team announced on Sunday that the star guard was cleared to practice on Monday, and Stein's update is another positive development. Don?i? will take on his usual role as Slovenia's lead offensive option, hoping to medal in EuroBasket after failing to do so in 2022. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (knee) to practice Monday
Sun, Aug 17, 2025, 7:34 AM
Slovenia Basketball
Slovenia's national team announced Luka Don?i? will practice with the team on Monday ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Great Britain.
Analysis: Don?i? suffered a right knee contusion during Saturday's friendly against Latvia, but he avoided serious injury. The good news for Slovenia's star guard is that he will practice on Monday, although the team did not reveal how much he'll participate in the session. Don?i? is expected to be a full go when EuroBasket opens on August 27. |
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Luka Doncic Stein: Doncic diagnosed with right knee contusion
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 9:22 AM
Marc Stein
NBA Insider Marc Stein reports Luka Doncic has been diagnosed with a right knee contusion.
Analysis: Doncic suffered the injury in the first half against Latvia in an exhibition game on Saturday. The injury isn't considered to be serious, so it's unclear if it will impact his availability for EuroBasket later this month. Regardless, it shouldn't have an impact on his start to the season for the Lakers. |
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Luka Doncic Doncic exits early, avoids serious injury
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 7:06 AM
Dan Woike
Luka Doncic (leg) avoided serious injury in Slovenia's exhibition game against Latvia.
Analysis: Doncic's teammate fell into his leg, and Doncic was favoring his right leg while heading to the locker room. Reports indicate that he avoided serious injury, but it would be surprising if he returned for the second half. We'll see if the injury impacts his availability for Eurobasket, with Slovenia's first meaningful game set for August 28. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic to sit out vs. Lithuania
Fri, Aug 15, 2025, 8:27 AM
Iztok Franko
Luka Doncic will sit out against Lithuania on Friday but will play against Latvia on Saturday.
Analysis: Slovenia is still playing their preparation games ahead of Eurobasket, and there is no reason for Doncic to play both legs of their exhibition back-to-back. Doncic will play against his former teammate Kristaps Porzingis on Saturday. Eurobasket will begin on August 27, with Slovenia's first game coming against Poland on August 28. |
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Luka Doncic Lakers, Luka Don?i? agree to three-year extension
Sat, Aug 2, 2025, 6:29 AM
Luka Don?i?
The Lakers and Luka Don?i? have agreed to a three-year, $165 million extension.
Analysis: While Saturday was the first day Don?i? was eligible to agree to an extension worth up to $222 million over four seasons, he reportedly decided to take a deal with one less year. The three-year extension, which includes a player option, grants the star guard added flexibility for the future. After three seasons, Don?i? would be eligible for a max contract that would pay him 35 percent of the salary cap instead of 30 percent. LeBron James remains on the Lakers roster, but the 40-year-old is headed into the final season of his current contract. Don?i? is the unquestioned cornerstone moving forward, and future moves made by the Lakers will have this in mind. Regarding fantasy basketball, he should be no worse than a top-5 pick in most league drafts. |
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Christian Koloko Lakers to sign Koloko, Manon to two-way deals
Mon, Jul 21, 2025, 9:25 AM
Shams Charania
Lakers signed C Christian Koloko and G Chris Manon to two-way contracts.
Analysis: Koloko will remain with the Lakers for another season, though he likely won't see the floor often behind Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes. Both Koloko and Manon, who played for the Warriors during summer league, will likely spend most of next season in the G League. |
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LeBron James LeBron hasn't had buyout, trade discussions
Wed, Jul 16, 2025, 7:19 AM
Joe Vardon and Dan Woike
The Athletic's Joe Vardon and Dan Woike report LeBron James hasn't had any buyout or trade discussions with the Lakers.
Analysis: The expectation is that LeBron will be with the Lakers for training camp. If you follow every single rumor that happens during the NBA offseason and read between the lines, you can see that LeBron has been pulling some stunts to create some drama. But if you look at the bigger picture, there isn't really a move that makes sense for both the Lakers and another team that LeBron will also agree to, since he has a no-trade clause. The reality is that LeBron will be a Laker next year in what could be his final NBA season. |
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Christian Koloko Christian Koloko posts 13/7/2/1/3 line vs. NOR
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 5:25 PM
Christian Koloko massed 13 points (5-of-7 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, three blocks and one three-pointer in Saturday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: Koloko, who was on a two-way contract last season, is a restricted free agent after the team picked up his two-way qualifying offer. Performances like the one he put forth on Saturday will only help the center's chances of catching on somewhere, even if it's another two-way contract. Koloko is not worth targeting in fantasy drafts, even if he were to remain with the Lakers. In addition to bringing in Deandre Ayton, the Lakers re-signed Jaxson Hayes on a one-year deal. |
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Cole Swider Cole Swider records 21/10/4/1 stat line vs. NOR
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 5:16 PM
Cole Swider finished Saturday's win over the Pelicans with 21 points (8-of-17 FGs, 1-of-3 FTs), 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Given how well he's played, Swider would likely be a shutdown candidate if he arrived in Las Vegas on a guaranteed contract. He isn't, which makes the Lakers forward's performances more critical. Swider appeared in 10 NBA games last season, making eight appearances for the Raptors. The rebounding is just as important as his shooting ability, with Swider hitting double digits in two straight games. If he can prove consistently valuable in that area to supplement the perimeter shooting, that would improve Swider's chances of earning, at a minimum, a training camp invitation. |
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Cole Swider Cole Swider scores game-high 22 points vs. DAL
Thu, Jul 10, 2025, 4:40 PM
Cole Swider accounted for 22 points (6-of-10 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and six three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Mavericks.
Analysis: Swider excelled at the California Classic and started his time in Las Vegas well on Thursday. He is currently without a contract, so these performances are critical for Swider, who's looking to impress decision-makers around the league. There's no need to consider him for fantasy drafts, but there may come a point when some team gives Swider another opportunity to prove himself in the NBA. |
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Jaxson Hayes Shams: Lakers, Jaxson Hayes agree to one-year deal
Thu, Jul 3, 2025, 1:04 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Lakers signed C Jaxson Hayes to a one-year deal.
Analysis: Hayes appeared in 56 games for the Lakers last season, making 35 starts. However, his role will be different in 2025-26, as Deandre Ayton has agreed to a two-year deal and will be the starting center. Hayes finished last season with averages of 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks on 19.5 minutes per game. He did not provide consistent fantasy value as a starter, which should remain the case now that Hayes will be coming off the bench. |
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Deandre Ayton Shams: Deandre Ayton, LAL agree to two-year deal
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 11:47 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Deandre Ayton has agreed to a two-year deal with the Lakers.
Analysis: Unsurprisingly, Ayton has decided to join the Lakers after agreeing with the Trail Blazers on a contract buyout. Los Angeles had a clear need at the center position, and they'll look to the first overall pick in the 2018 draft to fill it. While he has averaged a double-double in his first seven seasons, Ayton's last two years in Portland were underwhelming. Limited to 40 games last year due to injury, he averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 three-pointer in 30.2 minutes. Ayton is not the uber-athletic center who tends to flourish playing alongside Luka Doncic, but he'll play starter's minutes for a hopeful contender. Being in a lineup with Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves will limit Ayton's fantasy ceiling, but providing top-100 per-game value should not be an issue. |
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Jake LaRavia Shams: Lakers sign Jake LaRavia for $12 million
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:51 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports F Jake LaRavia has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers.
Analysis: LaRavia's deal is fully guaranteed, according to Charania. The 23-year-old small forward averaged 6.1 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game in 19 games with the Kings last season after coming over from the Grizzlies in a trade. LaRavia is ticketed to remain in a bench role with the Lakers. |
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Dorian Finney-Smith Report: Dorian Finney-Smith declines player option
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 6:09 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Dorian Finney-Smith has declined his player option and will be an unrestricted free agent.
Analysis: If activated, Finney-Smith's option would have paid him $15.4 million next season. Instead, he'll hit the open market and should not lack suitors among teams with serious postseason ambitions. According to Charania, a return to the Lakers is not off the table for Finney-Smith despite Sunday's development. DFS appeared in 63 games for the Nets and Lakers last season, with the latter acquiring him from the former in late December. Finney-Smith underwent ankle surgery in mid-June, but he is expected to be available for the start of training camp. |
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LeBron James Shams: LeBron James picks up player option
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 5:18 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports LeBron James has picked up his player option for the 2025-26 season.
Analysis: Sunday was deadline day for James, who had a player option worth $52.6 million for the 2025-26 campaign. He's reportedly decided to pick up the option, meaning LeBron will be back for a 23rd NBA season. However, based on , there are questions regarding James' future with the Lakers despite the player making it clear in the past that he hopes to remain with the franchise. James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain during the Lakers' first-round series against Minnesota, but the expectation is that James will be good to go well ahead of training camp. Based on his Yahoo! ADP, James was expected to provide second-round value in standard leagues last season, and he met that expectation. Look for him to have a similar draft position even though he'll turn 41 in December. |
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Jordan Goodwin Report: LAL picks up Jordan Goodwin option
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 3:55 AM
Keith Smith
Spotrac's Keith Smith reports the Lakers have exercised Jordan Goodwin's team option.
Analysis: Signed to a two-way contract by the Lakers after the February trade deadline, Goodwin played well enough to be converted to a standard deal in late March. While his contract for the 2025-26 season is worth $2.3 million, it is only lightly guaranteed. Goodwin's deal becomes fully guaranteed on January 10, 2026, if he's still on the roster. He did have his moments as a streamer last season, but Goodwin is not a player likely to be drafted in most fantasy leagues. |
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