Kawhi Leonard and Paul George got introduced as Los Angeles Clippers today and team owner Steve Ballmer couldn’t hold back his excitement. Ballmer was so “fired up,” he couldn’t even use the notes he had prepared. The look on Leonard’s face was priceless resembling a guy finding out his boss is just a little too into the moment.
Time goes fast in the world of sports. I’m pretty sure a lot of us remember first hearing about Emmanuel Mudiay as the top-notch high school recruit who took his talents to China for a year. That same kid now has four years of NBA experience.
Usually, a team picking up a 21-year-old former 60th overall pick with 11 career NBA minutes isn’t going to move the needle. But, sometimes, the player is the brother of the league MVP and the team is the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers have signed Kostas Antetokounmpo, the younger brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, to a two-way contract after claiming him off waivers from the Dallas Mavericks, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Rui Hachimura has had to go through a hectic schedule since he was drafted by the Washington Wizards last month.
Last week, the 21-year-old finally returned to his native Japan for the first time since the draft on June 20. But he won’t have much time to sit back and relax on his couch.
What's the rumor?
Following a wild start to the summer, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics are trending in opposite directions.
Despite losing Kyrie Irving, the Celtics are confident that the additions of Enes Kanter and Kemba Walker can help the team compete in a weak Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Thunder's hopes of competing are over after the team traded away their two biggest stars in Paul George and Russell Westbrook.
No. 1 Draft pick Zion Williamson has withdrawn from Team USA and FIBA World Cup play to keep his focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Williamson joins a growing number of players who, either for personal reasons or to focus on the rapidly approaching NBA season, have decided not to participate this summer with USA Basketball.
Father time has yet to catch up to Korver’s shot, so there’s no telling how much longer he will keep suiting up. However, since his value comes from shooting, further deterioration on defense should not matter much, giving him a shot to continue moving up the record books.
Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will have an extra shooter for his next playoff run, as the Milwaukee Bucks agreed to a one-year deal with sharpshooter Kyle Korver.
Kawhi Leonard is a man about town.
The reigning NBA Finals MVP attended Saturday night’s fight card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas that was headlined by the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman bout.
Kawhi Leonard may have played the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. A report on Friday suggests the Lakers think Leonard manipulated them throughout the process, all the while knowing he wouldn’t be picking the franchise in the end.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported the following on Friday:
