Deadspin | Report: Luka Doncic to seek treatment in Europe for hamstring strain Apr 2, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images In an attempt to move up his timeline for a return, Lakers star Luka Doncic will seek specialized treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Europe, Doncic’s representation told ESPN. Doncic sustained the injury in Thursday’s 139-96 loss to Oklahoma City. The team announced Friday after an MRI that he will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. The typical recovery timeline for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is a month. With one week left in the regular season, that would keep the league’s leading scorer (33.5 points per game) and Los Angeles’ leader in assists (8.3) and steals (1.6) out for potentially the entire first-round playoff series. The Lakers will also be without Austin Reaves (23.3 ppg, 5.5 apg) for at least the remainder of the regular season after he sustained a Grade 2 left oblique injury. He’ll be sidelined four to six weeks, ESPN reported. With four regular-season games left for each team, Los Angeles (50-28) has the same record as Denver but holds the tiebreaker for the No. 3 seed. If it stays there, it would almost certainly open vs. Minnesota. However, Los Angeles could fall to fourth or even fifth — which would cost the team home-court advantage — in the final week. The Lakers lost their first game without Doncic and Reaves Sunday at Dallas. They’ll host Oklahoma City, play at Golden State and then close the regular season at home vs. Phoenix and Utah. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Luka #Doncic #seek #treatment #Europe #hamstring #strain

LeBron James remained a free agent on the Fourth of July, surely realizing that no document should upstage the Declaration of Independence with a quarter-millennium extravaganza swirling.

Of course, a national holiday didn’t stop Kevin Durant from bolting the Thunder for the Warriors on July 4, 2016, but that’s a different story – much like LBJ’s final foray into free agency.

James’ agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that his client seeks “happiness” above all in a 24th NBA season. His legacy cemented, his championships secured, LBJ wants to ride toward the sunset with a smile.

Yes, that noble journey recently adopted a game-show motif, but we’re told James’ heart is in the right place.

Paul handicapped numerous possible LeBron landing spots while appearing on a hands-on episode of his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman that was released Friday.

A whiteboard here, a pointer there, speculation everywhere.

Ostensibly, the entire Association would have interest in James, who declined the player option on his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The league’s all-time leading scorer might not get to the basket with the same tenacity or show the stamina that has defined him for much of his career, but he still is a force at 41.

Paul said that James’ options abound largely because the New York Knicks won the Larry O’Brien trophy last month, ending a championship drought that preceded America’s bicentennial.

LBJ assuredly would be taking his talents to New York Harbor were another franchise entering the 2026-27 season as reigning champs.

“It’s difficult, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that,” Paul said. “The Knicks have a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn’t won, this wouldn’t even [be a question]. There would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks.”

It would be quite the challenge for James to keep a smile, though if he couldn’t help the Knicks to a repeat, Paul explained.

“LeBron’s always judged different,” Paul said. “That’s a very fragile thing, and he’s been a part of championship teams.”

Yup, with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers. As Paul explored the possibility of a return to the first two of those locales, he suggested that familiarity with front offices is a mark for both sides.

It may boil down to personnel, however, and Paul noted that one “negative” concerning the Cavaliers is the absence of Darius Garland. The agent told listeners that James “loves Garland like he loves” Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.

Naturally, there’s a lot for Paul to like about touting the chances of two of his clients playing together. But as the almighty whiteboard indicated, Philly does boast a deep core that includes newly-acquired Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid, V.J. Edgecombe and Maxey.

The board also listed four core members of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Heat.

“LeBron” was written at its center.

“Every day things change,” Paul told ESPN. “This is the first time that LeBron James is making a decision pressure-free. He’s won already. He’s made good on his promise – he won in L.A. This is strictly for his happiness. What does happiness entail? It’s a number of things. It’s a bucket of happiness. It’s basketball, it’s living, it’s camaraderie, it’s competition. It’s everything.”

It’s ongoing, too, and figures to stay that way with training camps still more than two months away.

Would the hype be anything less for an all-time signature player?

#LeBron #James #Free #Agency #Decision #Basketball #Deadspin.com">

LeBron James’ Free Agency Decision Comes Down to More Than Basketball | Deadspin.com LeBron James remained a free agent on the Fourth of July, surely realizing that no document should upstage the Declaration of Independence with a quarter-millennium extravaganza swirling.Of course, a national holiday didn’t stop Kevin Durant from bolting the Thunder for the Warriors on July 4, 2016, but that’s a different story – much like LBJ’s final foray into free agency.James’ agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that his client seeks “happiness” above all in a 24th NBA season. His legacy cemented, his championships secured, LBJ wants to ride toward the sunset with a smile.Yes, that noble journey recently adopted a game-show motif, but we’re told James’ heart is in the right place.Paul handicapped numerous possible LeBron landing spots while appearing on a hands-on episode of his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman that was released Friday.A whiteboard here, a pointer there, speculation everywhere.Ostensibly, the entire Association would have interest in James, who declined the player option on his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The league’s all-time leading scorer might not get to the basket with the same tenacity or show the stamina that has defined him for much of his career, but he still is a force at 41.Paul said that James’ options abound largely because the New York Knicks won the Larry O’Brien trophy last month, ending a championship drought that preceded America’s bicentennial.LBJ assuredly would be taking his talents to New York Harbor were another franchise entering the 2026-27 season as reigning champs.“It’s difficult, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that,” Paul said. “The Knicks have a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn’t won, this wouldn’t even [be a question]. There would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks.”It would be quite the challenge for James to keep a smile, though if he couldn’t help the Knicks to a repeat, Paul explained.“LeBron’s always judged different,” Paul said. “That’s a very fragile thing, and he’s been a part of championship teams.”Yup, with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers. As Paul explored the possibility of a return to the first two of those locales, he suggested that familiarity with front offices is a mark for both sides.It may boil down to personnel, however, and Paul noted that one “negative” concerning the Cavaliers is the absence of Darius Garland. The agent told listeners that James “loves Garland like he loves” Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.Naturally, there’s a lot for Paul to like about touting the chances of two of his clients playing together. But as the almighty whiteboard indicated, Philly does boast a deep core that includes newly-acquired Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid, V.J. Edgecombe and Maxey.The board also listed four core members of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Heat.“LeBron” was written at its center.“Every day things change,” Paul told ESPN. “This is the first time that LeBron James is making a decision pressure-free. He’s won already. He’s made good on his promise – he won in L.A. This is strictly for his happiness. What does happiness entail? It’s a number of things. It’s a bucket of happiness. It’s basketball, it’s living, it’s camaraderie, it’s competition. It’s everything.”It’s ongoing, too, and figures to stay that way with training camps still more than two months away.Would the hype be anything less for an all-time signature player? #LeBron #James #Free #Agency #Decision #Basketball #Deadspin.com

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LeBron James remained a free agent on the Fourth of July, surely realizing that no document should upstage the Declaration of Independence with a quarter-millennium extravaganza swirling.
Of course, a national holiday didn’t stop Kevin Durant from bolting the Thunder for the Warriors on July 4, 2016, but that’s a different story – much like LBJ’s final foray into free agency.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that his client seeks “happiness” above all in a 24th NBA season. His legacy cemented, his championships secured, LBJ wants to ride toward the sunset with a smile.
Yes, that noble journey recently adopted a game-show motif, but we’re told James’ heart is in the right place.
Paul handicapped numerous possible LeBron landing spots while appearing on a hands-on episode of his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman that was released Friday.
A whiteboard here, a pointer there, speculation everywhere.
Ostensibly, the entire Association would have interest in James, who declined the player option on his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The league’s all-time leading scorer might not get to the basket with the same tenacity or show the stamina that has defined him for much of his career, but he still is a force at 41.
Paul said that James’ options abound largely because the New York Knicks won the Larry O’Brien trophy last month, ending a championship drought that preceded America’s bicentennial.
LBJ assuredly would be taking his talents to New York Harbor were another franchise entering the 2026-27 season as reigning champs.
“It’s difficult, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that,” Paul said. “The Knicks have a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn’t won, this wouldn’t even [be a question]. There would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks.”
It would be quite the challenge for James to keep a smile, though if he couldn’t help the Knicks to a repeat, Paul explained.
“LeBron’s always judged different,” Paul said. “That’s a very fragile thing, and he’s been a part of championship teams.”
Yup, with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers. As Paul explored the possibility of a return to the first two of those locales, he suggested that familiarity with front offices is a mark for both sides.
It may boil down to personnel, however, and Paul noted that one “negative” concerning the Cavaliers is the absence of Darius Garland. The agent told listeners that James “loves Garland like he loves” Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.
Naturally, there’s a lot for Paul to like about touting the chances of two of his clients playing together. But as the almighty whiteboard indicated, Philly does boast a deep core that includes newly-acquired Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid, V.J. Edgecombe and Maxey.
The board also listed four core members of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Heat.
“LeBron” was written at its center.
“Every day things change,” Paul told ESPN. “This is the first time that LeBron James is making a decision pressure-free. He’s won already. He’s made good on his promise – he won in L.A. This is strictly for his happiness. What does happiness entail? It’s a number of things. It’s a bucket of happiness. It’s basketball, it’s living, it’s camaraderie, it’s competition. It’s everything.”
It’s ongoing, too, and figures to stay that way with training camps still more than two months away.
Would the hype be anything less for an all-time signature player?

#LeBron #James #Free #Agency #Decision #Basketball #Deadspin.com">LeBron James’ Free Agency Decision Comes Down to More Than Basketball | Deadspin.com