Johnson to speak with young Lakers
Sensing the Los Angeles Lakers have been weighed down by trade rumors, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson reportedly plans to meet with his team this weekend in Philadelphia.
Johnson will talk to the Lakers about the Anthony Davis trade saga, emphasizing that the NBA is a business and that the franchise is about winning titles.
The Lakers are chasing a playoff spot despite losing All-Star LeBron James for 17 games this season. Los Angeles (28-27) sits in 10th place in the Western Conference, just behind the Clippers (30-26). The Lakers beat the Celtics late Thursday after a 42-point loss Tuesday in Indiana.
Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were involved in trade talks with New Orleans but the deadline passed and they all stayed in Los Angeles.
Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley were traded to the Clippers for forward Mike Muscala. The Lakers also acquired Reggie Bullock from Detroit for rookie Svi Mykhailiuk and expect Ball to return to the lineup soon. The guard suffered a left ankle sprain Jan. 19 against Houston and was expected to be out four to six weeks.
Los Angeles also has interest in Markieff Morris, if healthy. He was acquired by the Pelicans Thursday but was waived that day. Morris, who still must clear waivers, hasn’t played since Dec. 26. He was diagnosed with transient cervical neuropraxia in January and was expected back in six weeks.
Warriors
After Kevin Durant’s spat with reporters, coach Steve Kerr commented, “We’re all actors in a soap opera.” After a win over San Antonio, Durant vented frustrations about coverage of his pending free agency in his first quote in eight days. Kerr had sympathy for Durant but said the modern NBA comes with drama. “It’ll be nice if people just paid attention to pick-and-roll coverage,” he said. “But gossip is more interesting, sometimes.”
Grizzlies
A day after trading Marc Gasol to Toronto, owner Robert Pera said Memphis will retire the center’s No. 33. In a statement, Pera praised Gasol as a pillar of the Grizzlies for 11 years and thanked him, saying they look forward to hanging his jersey in the FedEx Forum rafters next to those of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.
Pistons
ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski said the Pistons are expected to receive a commitment from free-agent shooting guard Wayne Ellington. Ellington was traded to Phoenix Wednesday and will receive a buyout, becoming a free agent. He will not clear waivers until the weekend.
Cavaliers
Kevin Love returned to Cleveland’s lineup Friday after missing 50 games for surgery on his left foot. He played the first six minutes against the Wizards, scoring four points but missing all three of his 3point attempts. Love did not return after exiting the first quarter. He signed a fouryear, $120 million extension in July.
Mavericks
Dallas waived Zach Randolph two days after acquiring the forward from Sacramento. The 37-year-old never played for the Kings in his second season there. Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said he never expected Randolph to play for his club. Randolph has averaged 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds in 17 seasons with five teams.
76ers
Philadelphia is paying tribute to the late Moses Malone with a sculpture at their practice facility and by retiring his No. 2 jersey Friday against Denver. Malone, a three-time MVP, was a 13-time All-Star and a Hall of Famer. In 1983, the last time the 76ers won a title, he helped sweep the Lakers. He passed away in 2015.