NBA news and gossip: Latest trade news
Klay Thompson revelation
Klay Thompson admits it would be ‘hard to walk away’ from the Golden State Warriors, as his contract winds down towards free agency.
Thompson is out of contract next summer and will have a big decision on his hands with links to the Los Angeles Lakers growing stronger.
But Thompson insists he wants to stay on the train as long as possible.
“Yeah, definitely,” Thompson said. “I think it would be stupid not to be. It’s hard to walk away from something — you were here when it started and yeah, you just want to stay on the train as long as you can.”
And Thompson thinks the Warriors stars are coming towards their peaks.
“It’s awesome,” Thompson said.
“Makes you want to win now, though, that’s for sure. Makes you want to make the most of it. I think we have in the last two years.
“It’s crazy because we are back-to-back champs, but at the same time I feel like we’re all relatively young and we can still get to another level and keep winning. Not just this year, but years beyond.
“Not a lot of guys can do that with their team. So I love coming to work every day because I realize this is a special group and a special time to be a Warrior.”
Jimmy Butler’s concern
Jimmy Butler is concerned the Minnesota Timberwolves are not actively trying to trade him.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick said: “According to league sources, Butler and his representatives are increasingly frustrated with Minnesota’s handling of trade talks and seriously question whether the Timberwolves — from longtime owner Glen Taylor on down — are truly trying to find a deal.
“All across the NBA, with more than half the league having shown varying levels of interest in landing the four-time All-Star, the feedback coming Butler’s way remains the same: Minnesota’s asking price is far too high, inter-team communication is sometimes an exercise in futility, and the counter-offers that the Timberwolves have provided are, as Butler’s side sees it, downright delusional.”
LeBron latest
Lakers head coach Luke Walton admits it was good to see LeBron James wearing yellow and purple.
“When you’re coaching the Lakers and you look out and see LeBron wearing your team’s colors, it’ a pretty good feeling,” he said.
And James was pleased with his first piece of action.
“It was great to get back on the floor and then just start a new journey for myself and hear the Lakers fans that we have here in San Diego,” said James.
“It was a great feeling to go out there and hear the roar from the fans here. I very much appreciate it.
“It always feels different for me anytime you change uniforms.
“It felt different when I changed from wearing a St. Vincent-St. Mary jersey to wearing a Cavs jersey from a Cavs jersey to a Heat jersey, back to a Cavs jersey and now being a Laker.
“It definitely feels different and takes a little bit of time getting used to.”