LeBron James dodges chance to clear up his Lakers future as trade rumors swirl
NY Post
LeBron James opted to avoid adding any clarity to what has suddenly become a complicated Lakers outlook.
The superstar had a chance to clear up the trade rumors and speculation that’ve made his Los Angeles future murky, but when asked by ESPN on Saturday if he wanted to join their NBA Summer League broadcast, James declined.
“I ain’t got nothing to talk about,” he told the network’s Dave McMenamin.
It marked the latest wrinkle in a debacle full of them, dating back to the end of June when James exercised his $52.6 million player option and his agent, Rich Paul, released a cryptic statement about wanting to “compete for a championship” and “evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
Four mystery teams have reached out to Paul with interest in trading for James, he told ESPN, but McMenamin reported that James — or his camp — never asked for a trade and it’s a scenario that hasn’t even been broached.
But the Lakers are stuck in the middle of a seismic shift in their franchise, with each season the 40-year-old James plays potentially being the final one of his career and with 26-year-old superstar Luka Dončić arriving via a stunning blockbuster deal in February.
DETROIT — In his first media interview about the Knicks in almost three years, James Dolan explained he fired Tom Thibodeau because, among other reasons, the coach was averse to collaboration. The owner also shot down a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and declared this season as Finals or failure.
Cam Skattebo wants to be associated with more than loud screams, backflips and angry runs.
The logical pairing of Matt Nagy and the Titans could take a concrete step soon, with Tennessee requesting to interview the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator — and former Bears head coach — for their coaching vacancy.
The Cardinals are moving on from Jonathan Gannon.
The moment hit Justin Dowling after warmups Friday as he walked through the tunnel at loanDepot park and thought about the historic franchise he was about to debut for.
The pinstripe offseason slumber could be nearing a conclusion.
The luck of the schedule draw is again working against the Giants.
Brooklyn center Nic Claxton missed a second straight game due to a personal matter, though he is expected to rejoin the Nets on Monday.
PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left, and the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title.
DETROIT — The Knicks are returning to the site of the biggest shot of Jalen Brunson’s Knicks career, the place he silenced those profane chants from Detroit fans by sending Ausar Thompson stumbling out of the frame with a crossover.
Aaron Rodgers went through every emotion possible on his way back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season, when he was still with the Packers.
It didn’t take long after Adam Fox’s shoulder injury for his absence on the power play to — again — become glaring. The Rangers had just started to make strides with their first unit after struggling to start the year before Fox exited their Nov. 29 loss to the Lightning and didn’t return for a month.
The Yankees are taking another flier on a veteran to bolster their infield depth.