Will the Lakers Be Better Without LeBron James? w/ Mark Medina - Sports Central Showdown

The NBA preseason is here, which means basketball is right around the corner! It's the beginning of a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers as they move on from the NBA's all-time leading scorer in LeBron James. But will the Lakers improve without LeBron on the team? NBA reporter for Forbes Sports Mark Medina thinks so, citing the Lakers newfound financial freedom to bring in players like Walker Kessler that better fit stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. ESPN+ broadcaster argues that the Lakers could have kept James for the money he's now being paid by the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Lakers still have glaring defensive issues to address. Alex Hutton hosts this purple-and-gold edition of the Sports Central Showdown.

• Oct 5

Clippers acquire Max Strus from Cleveland in 4-team deal

Peyton Watson is heading from Denver to Cleveland as part of a four-team trade that will also have the Cavaliers sending Max Strus to the Los Angeles Clippers.

• Aug 19

Sixers trade Johni Broome to Clippers for cash considerations

The Philadelphia 76ers have traded forward Johni Broome and a 2027 second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash considerations.

• Jul 28

LeBron James heading to Philly in deal with 76ers

The Sixers' wild offseason continued Friday when they added four-time NBA champion LeBron James.

• Jul 25

LeBron's record-setting Heat jersey hits the auction block

LeBron James' game-worn 2013-14 Miami Heat jersey, from his NBA record 10th straight 25-5-5 season, is up for auction until July 25.

• Jul 19

Forward Rui Hachimura leaves Lakers, agrees to a 2-year, $28M deal with Clippers

Free agent forward Rui Hachimura has agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

• Jul 6

Lakers sending Ayton to the Wizards for Hardy and 2 second-round picks: sources

Deandre Ayton is being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards.

• Jul 3

Walker Kessler is going from the Jazz to the Lakers, will get a 4-year deal

Walker Kessler is being traded by the Utah Jazz to the Los Angeles Lakers, who will have the center under contract for the next four seasons and for a total of about $130 million, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement.

• Jul 1

What’s the Best All-Star Game? w/ Jill Painter Lopez - Sports Central Showdown

All-star games are where the best in the sports world shine the brightest, but what league has the best all-star game? Sports Central reporter Jill Painter Lopez argues in favor of the “Midsummer Classic” – A.K.A. the MLB All-Star Game with its storied history and Home Run Derby fun. ESPN+ broadcaster Graham Metzker says the new tweaks to the NBA All-Star Game bring it back to the top of the food chain along with the Slam Dunk contest. Chris Hayre hosts, and laments that the NFL Pro Bowl should still be king, in this episode of the Sports Central Showdown.

• Jun 29

Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million deal, sources say

Austin Reaves is re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year contract worth $185 million, setting a record for the highest deal ever given to an undrafted player.

• Jun 24

Lawrence Tanter, Los Angeles Lakers PA announcer, retires after 43 seasons

Lawrence Tanter is retiring as public address announcer of the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Jun 16

Lakers guard Luka Doncic first-team All-NBA selection; Kawhi Leonard named to second team

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City and Nikola Jokic of Denver were unanimous first-team All-NBA selections this season, while San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama missed joining them in that club by one vote.

• May 24

Thunder defeat Lakers in Game 4, completing another playoff sweepa

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, Chet Holmgren made a tiebreaking dunk with 32.8 seconds to play, and the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers out of the second round of the NBA playoffs with a 115-110 victory in Game 4.

• May 11

Thunder charge past Lakers 131-108 in Game 3 for another blowout in the champs' 7-0 playoff run

Ajay Mitchell had career playoff highs of 24 points and 10 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their unbeaten playoff run to the brink of another Western Conference finals with a 131-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the second round.

• May 9

Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander each score 22 as Thunder take 2-0 lead over Lakers in West semis

Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

• May 7

Holmgren has 24 points to help Thunder top Lakers 108-90 in Game 1 of Western Conference semifinals

Chet Holmgren scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

• May 5

LeBron scores 28 as Lakers defeat Rockets 98-78 to move on in NBA Playoffs

LeBron James had 28 points and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston with a 98-78 win in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series by holding the Rockets to a season low in points.

• May 3

Rockets beat Lakers 99-93 in Game 5, avoiding playoff elimination for the 2nd straight game

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and the Houston Rockets avoided playoff elimination for the second straight game with a 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game 5.

• Apr 29

Amen Thompson sparks Rockets' 115-96 rout to stave off elimination against Lakers

Amen Thompson scored 23 points, Tari Eason added 20 and the Houston Rockets avoided elimination with a 115-96 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference playoff series.

• Apr 26

James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets

LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

• Apr 24

LeBron scores 28, leads short-handed Lakers past Durant's Rockets again 101-94 for 2-0 series lead

LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Houston Rockets for a 101-94 victory and a stunning 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

• Apr 21

Kennard scores 27, LeBron leads Lakers to surprising 107-98 win over Rockets in playoff opener

Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's injury absence for a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opener of their first-round playoff series.

• Apr 18

LeBron James scores 18 in 1st half, Lakers tune up for playoffs with 131-107 win over Jazz

LeBron James had 18 points, six assists and four rebounds in the first half, and the Los Angeles Lakers tuned up for the postseason with a 131-107 win over the Utah Jazz.

• Apr 12

LeBron scores 28, leads Lakers by Suns 101-73 to clinch first round home-court advantage

LeBron James had 28 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs with their 101-73 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

• Apr 10

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to easy 123-87 win over injury-depleted Lakers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 25 points and eight assists, and Isaiah Joe hit six 3-pointers in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 123-87 victory over the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers.

• Apr 7

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