Jeff Zillgitt USA TODAY Published 4:00 PM EDT Jul 7, 2019 If you believe in a good conspiracy theory — and if you like the NBA, you might enjoy a good conspiracy theory — here’s one that will add fuel to the heightened Clippers-Lakers rivalry in Los Angeles. The Clippers and Kawhi Leonard sabotaged the Los Angeles Lakers’ free-agent plans by waiting deep into free agency to announce Leonard’s signing, making the Lakers wait while other teams signed quality free agents and leaving the Lakers with limited options by the time Leonard decided. Making the theory even more diabolical is that Clippers consultant Jerry West is an all-time Lakers great — a Hall of Famer and great executive for decades with the Lakers — and his son, Ryan, is the Lakers’ director of player personnel. MORE FROM FREE AGENCY POWER SHIFT: Clippers' shocking moves shake up the NBA WILD WEST: Durant injury, Warriors demise opened the door CONSOLATION: Lakers find … [Read more...] about Kawhi conspiracy theory heightens Lakers-Clippers intrigue
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Opinion: Lakers gain Boogie, strike back at Clippers post-Kawhi
Josh Peter USA TODAY Published 7:45 PM EDT Jul 6, 2019 LOS ANGELES — No, Plan B is never optimal. Especially when Plan A is to sign Kawhi Leonard, pair him with LeBron James and Anthony Davis and transform the Los Angeles Lakers into the NBA’s newest superpower. Leonard agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers and they traded for Paul George. However, the Lakers’ Plan B looks more than adequate. That’s because Plan B included agreeing to deals with big man DeMarcus Cousins, sharpshooter Danny Green and Splash Brother understudy Quinn Cook. The result: The Lakers got deeper, more balanced and acquired enough talent to be considered a title contender. Last season, the Lakers were the team that couldn’t shoot straight — at least from deep — ranking 29th of the league’s 30 teams in 3-point field goal percentage (33.3%). That figures to change during the 2019-20 season thanks to Plan B. Green, a key member of the … [Read more...] about Opinion: Lakers gain Boogie, strike back at Clippers post-Kawhi
Opinion: Lakers lost out on Kawhi Leonard, but all is not lost
Josh Peter USA TODAY Published 10:26 AM EDT Jul 6, 2019 LOS ANGELES — It would have been more potent than Kobe and Shaq. It could have been more scintillating than Showtime. It should have been, as Jared Dudley said, a Big Three "on steroids." Woulda, coulda, shoulda. So much for the purple-and-gold fantasy of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard all suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers and their fans suffered a humbling loss on Friday when Leonard agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Yes, the once-lowly Clippers have outmaneuvered the Lakers not only for Leonard, but also for Paul George. Yet humbling as it might be for the Lakers, it’s not a catastrophic setback either. The hope of landing Leonard felt like more of a long shot than an inevitability — and let’s not forget how the Lakers upgraded their roster in a significant way. Landing Davis gives James the dominant player he needs to transform the Lakers from … [Read more...] about Opinion: Lakers lost out on Kawhi Leonard, but all is not lost
Kawhi joins Clippers, George follows in NBA blockbuster
Kawhi Leonard, who led the Toronto Raptors to last month's NBA title, agreed to a four-year deal worth $142 million with the Los Angeles Clippers, who also landed playmaker Paul George, according to multiple reports. The blockbuster deal announced by ESPN, USA Today and several other media outlets is part of a reshaping of the NBA that leaves next season wide open without a heavy favorite from either the Eastern or Western Conference. The Clippers' moves added superstar skills to an already solid team that went 48-34 last season, losing to Golden State in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The club, founded in 1970, has never reached a conference final. Leonard was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in leading the Raptors to the crown. Toronto and the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers tried in vain to sign him for next season. It was the second NBA Finals MVP award for Leonard, the 28-year-old forward who also won the honor with San Antonio in 2014. Leonard, who returns to his … [Read more...] about Kawhi joins Clippers, George follows in NBA blockbuster
Antetokounmpo, Harden in NBA team of the year, but no LeBron
Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden led the voting for the NBA's First Team of the Year but LeBron James missed out on a spot for the first time since 2007, results showed Thursday. Milwaukee Bucks forward Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets guard James Harden advanced to the NBA's Most Valuable Player award along with Oklahoma City Thunder's Paul George. The 24-year-old Antetokounmpo, Harden and George were joined in the NBA's team of the year by Golden State star Stephen Curry and Denver's Nikola Jokic. Antetokounmpo, who is nearly seven-foot tall and known as the 'Greek Freak', and Harden were both unanimous first-team selections. However there was no place in the first team selection for Los Angeles Lakers' James. James missed out on the NBA playoffs this year for the first time since 2005 after a disappointing, injury-hit first season with the Lakers. James however did earn a place on the NBA's third-team of the year, extending his streak of 15 consecutive All-NBA selections. … [Read more...] about Antetokounmpo, Harden in NBA team of the year, but no LeBron