Recapping the Top 5 Los Angeles Lakers storylines of the day...
1. Luka Dončić predicted to take massive financial hit
Dončić, traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers in February, missed out on a five-year, $345.3 million supermax extension, and now NBA Insider Bobby Marks predicts he’ll sign a three-year, $165 million deal with the Lakers, taking a $63 million hit on potential earnings.
The blockbuster trade already cost Luka over $100 million compared to the supermax (Source: Yahoo).
2. Lauri Markkanen to Lakers?
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposes the Lakers trade Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz for All-Star Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen, with career averages of 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds, is seen as a strong potential third option alongside Dončić and LeBron James (Source: Jazz On SI).
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3. Knicks add hilarious coaching candidate in former Laker
Former Lakers NBA champion Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Ron Artest and Metta World Peace, threw his hat in the ring to coach the New York Knicks, adding a humorous twist to New York’s search for leadership after firing Tom Thibodeau (Source: The Sporting News).
4. Mitchell Robinson to Lakers?
The Lakers face pressure to acquire a strong center this offseaso, and the New York Knicks might emerge as the trade partner to make that happen.
Could LA poach Mitchell Robinson away from the Knickerbockers? (Source: The Sporting News).
5. Nicolas Claxton to Lakers?
Nets 26-year-old center Nicolas Claxton was linked to the Lakers (Source: The Sporting News).
More NBA: Celtics predicted to cut ties with $60 million All-Star in trade to Lakers