NBA news: The latest top stories from the world of NBA
LeBron James title championship claim
LeBron James has claimed Los Angeles Lakers cannot challenge Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship this season.
“We got a long way to go to get to Golden State,” James said. “They can pick up right where they left off, starting with training camp… We are picking up from scratch, so we got a long way to go.
“We can’t worry about what Golden State is doing. … They’ve been together for a few years now.”
Klay Thompson latest
Thompson is among the players linked with a move to the Los Angeles Lakers for next summer.
Thompson is out of contract in 2019 and would be eligible to enter the free agency market unless a new deal is agreed.
But he stresses he is content where he is, having won three out of the last four NBA Championships with the Warrirors.
“Not really,” he said when asked if he was interested in testing free agency.
“When guys go into free agency, they’re looking for situations like mine. I’m content.
“My sole focus is trying to win another championship and the ride along the way.”
Thompson has been linked with a move due to his father’s history at the Lakers.
Mychal Thompson was a two-time champion with the Lakers and even admitted his son should consider a move to team up with LeBron James.
Kawhi Leonard wanted to move to LA
Kawhi Leonard wanted to return home to Los Angeles, according to close friend Paul George.
Leonard joined the Raptors from the San Antonio Spurs after months of speculation.
The Raptors now have 12 months to try and convince the 27-year-old to re-sign with them in free agency next year.
George underwent a similar situation in 2017 when it became clear he wanted a move to the Lakers, only for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook to convince him to stay at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
And the five-time NBA All-Star has revealed he spoke with Leonard ahead of his own free agency decision this summer, admitting the duo were both dreaming of linking up in Los Angeles.
“Actually me and Kawhi are pretty close,” George said.
“Actually during the summer we hung out and kind of talked and got together a little bit.
“And we did talk a little bit on that.
“At the end of the day, just telling him to just be open.
“We’re both Southern Cal guys, and we both wanted to come home and play home, play for the city.
“But obviously my situation came up and I was happy with it.
“Just told him to be open about it, be open about the situation and just give wherever he goes — at that time we didn’t know where he was going.
“I told him just give wherever you’re going, give them your everything, and decide from there.”