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Evan Mobley, Darius Garland Out with Ankle, Thumb Injuries for Cavaliers vs. Bulls

Dec 31, 2022
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 15: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2022 Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 15: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2022 Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavaliers stars Evan Mobley and Darius Garland have been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Chicago Bulls, per cleveland.com's Chris Fedor.

Mobley is dealing with soreness in his right ankle, and Garland suffered a sprained right thumb in Thursday's loss to the Indiana Pacers. Garland has been receiving treatment on his thumb, per Fedor.

Mobley entered Saturday having appeared in all 36 games for the Cavs this season. However, he suffered a sprained right ankle during training camp practice on Oct. 1 and missed some time.

The 21-year-old is in the midst of a solid season after an impressive rookie year that saw him finish second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes.

Mobley averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks in 69 games last season while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor. So far this season, he's averaging 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor.

The 2021 third overall pick was a huge reason why the Cavaliers finished eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record and were on the verge of making the postseason for the first time since 2018.

When the USC product is sidelined, veteran Kevin Love and Cedi Osman see more playing time.

As for Garland, he missed time earlier in the season after suffering an eye injury on Oct. 19 that knocked him out of the team's next five games. He also missed a Nov. 4 win over the Detroit Pistons with a left knee sprain.

The 22-year-old is equally as important to Cleveland's success. Through 30 games, he's averaging 21.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 7.8 assists while shooting 45.0 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep.

With Garland sidelined, Caris LeVert and Raul Neto figure to see more playing time alongside Donovan Mitchell. According to Fedor, LeVert will be in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup alongside Mitchell, Love, Jarrett Allen and Lamar Stevens.

The Cavaliers are 22-14 this season, fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They'll need Mobley and Garland to remain healthy, especially following the addition of Donovan Mitchell, who should help them contend for a playoff spot.

Lakers' LeBron James on 47-Point Game vs. Hawks: Scoring 30 'Hasn't Worked'

Dec 31, 2022
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after shooting a three-point basket against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on December 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after shooting a three-point basket against Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on December 30, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Amid the Los Angeles Lakers' struggles this season, superstar forward LeBron James knew he had to take matters into his own hands, leading to a 47-point effort in a 130-121 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James suggested that he had to take his offensive production to the next level in order to get the Lakers back on track, saying: "I've been scoring 30 and it hasn't worked, so ... try 40. And we got a win. It's math."

Making the performance even more impressive is the fact that LeBron pulled it off on his 38th birthday.

Friday's win was a huge one for L.A. since it had lost five of its previous six games while Anthony Davis has been on the shelf with a foot injury.

The Lakers improved to 15-21 with the victory, leaving them in 13th place in the Western Conference, three games out of the final postseason play-in spot.

Los Angeles has a chance to be a playoff contender if AD can get healthy and James can continue playing at the level he showcased Friday, but it won't be easy for the 38-year-old veteran to continue pouring in 40 points per night.

LeBron has been his usual spectacular self when healthy and in the lineup this season, though, averaging 28.5 points. 8.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists, in addition to shooting 50.6 percent from the field.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham called James "nothing short of phenomenal" and "amazing" for what he did against the Hawks, especially when considering how long he has been performing at an elite level.

Per McMenamin, the 18 years and 278 days between LeBron's first and most-recent 40-point efforts in an NBA game surpassed the record previously held by the legendary Michael Jordan.

James playing as well as he is at 38 is almost unprecedented in the annals of NBA history, but it is essentially a necessity in order for the Lakers to have any hope of making the playoffs.

A trade to shake up the supporting cast ahead of the deadline could get the Lakers closer to contention, but even then, LeBron and Davis will undoubtedly be the key to how far L.A. goes this season.

Joel Embiid, Zion Williamson Wow NBA Twitter in Dynamic Battle as Pelicans Beat 76ers

Dec 31, 2022
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives against Philadelphia 76ers forward P.J. Tucker and forward Tobias Harris (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives against Philadelphia 76ers forward P.J. Tucker and forward Tobias Harris (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

In a clash of titans, it was Zion Williamson left standing at the expense of Joel Embiid.

The New Orleans Pelicans superstar went off for 36 points and five rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, leading his team to a 127-116 win.

Embiid didn't exactly roll over without a fight. The superstar center had a vintage performance of his own, putting up 37 points and eight rebounds while trying to will his team to a tough road victory.

But the one-two punch of Williamson and CJ McCollum (42 points, career- and franchise-high 11 threes) was too much to overcome.

McCollum was shooting fireballs from beyond the arc all night long:

Unsurprisingly, NBA Twitter enjoyed every moment of the showdown:

https://twitter.com/SpikeEskin/status/1609005914996019200

It was an incredibly impressive offensive showing from the Pelicans (23-12), especially without Brandon Ingram available because of a toe injury.

For the Sixers (20-14), meanwhile, it was a second straight loss after an impressive eight-game winning streak.

The good news for the Sixers was that star guard Tyrese Maxey returned after a lengthy layoff. The bad news was that he struggled in his return, coming off the bench to post just nine points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field in 19 minutes. Some rust was to be expected, however, after missing over a month.

It didn't help that James Harden had a particularly odd game, offering up a 20-point, 10-assist double-double but also adding seven turnovers on the evening, and he only attempted eight shots from the field.

It may not have mattered had he played better. This night clearly belonged to Zion's bulldozing drives into the lane and McCollum's sniper-scope precision. Had the Sixers played a perfect game, maybe they could have overcome that duo's offensive fireworks.

But they didn't play a perfect game, and they left New Orleans with a loss.

LeBron James' 'Masterful' Dominance Has NBA Twitter Hyped as Lakers Beat Hawks

Dec 31, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on December 1, 2022 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on December 1, 2022 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James celebrated his 38th birthday with 47 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 130-121 road win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

The ageless 20-year NBA veteran made 18 of 27 field goals and 4 of 6 three-pointers despite starting the game 1 of 5. He notably scored half of his team's 32 fourth quarter points, including 10 in the final four minutes.

Much like Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, James was a human highlight reel in Atlanta.

As Lakers reporter Mike Trudell noted, only 11 NBA players have played 20 or more NBA seasons. James also happened to be playing his third game in four nights.

And yet that didn't stop James from posting one of the best individual performances of the season from any NBA player. A host of people offered their praise postgame, including Kevin Durant, Magic Johnson and Pau Gasol.

James and the Lakers will now visit the Charlotte Hornets on Monday evening before returning home for a stretch of seven of nine games in L.A.

Lakers' Anthony Davis Trending in the Right Direction for Return From Foot Injury

Dec 31, 2022
Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis, left, shoots over Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis, left, shoots over Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham offered some good news to reporters Friday regarding eight-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis, who has been out indefinitely since Dec. 16 with a stress reaction in his right foot.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin relayed the quotes.

Those are welcoming comments for a Lakers team that's gone just 3-7 without Davis this year. L.A. is also struggling this year with a 14-21 record that has the team sitting third-last in the 15-team Western Conference.

Davis also spoke with a few reporters regarding his foot injury.

Simply put, the Lakers need Davis back to have a decent shot at making the playoffs after missing out on the postseason last year. He was playing at an All-NBA First Team form prior to the injury with 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Davis got hurt in the first quarter of his team's 126-108 win over the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 16 after landing awkwardly during a layup attempt. He played 16 minutes in the first half but did not return after halftime.

The most recent news follows an encouraging Dec. 23 report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who noted that Davis' pain had decreased and that the team was holding out hope he would avoid a procedure.

It's unclear when Davis will return, but he's clearly trending in the right direction, which is all the Lakers could ask for after he was initially marked as being out indefinitely.

NBA Rumors: Hawks' Nate McMillan Has Considered Resigning After Trae Young Drama

Dec 30, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Atlanta Hawks looks on in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 27, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Nate McMillan of the Atlanta Hawks looks on in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 27, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan has "strongly considered resigning from his position" amid a tumultuous and disappointing season that has reportedly included tension with star guard Trae Young.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the news Friday after speaking with anonymous league sources, though he added that a resignation from McMillan does not appear to be "imminent."

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin swiftly denied Charania's report during an appearance on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta.

McMillan also responded to the report, saying he would consider retiring after the season, per Pat Benson of Sports Illustrated

Earlier this month, Charania and Sam Amick detailed a "miscommunication" regarding a missed Dec. 2 shootaround by Young.

At the time, McMillan "asked [Young] whether he would participate in shootaround, receive treatment during walk-through and play in the game against the Nuggets."

Young, however, wanted to make a decision later in the day after receiving treatment on his shoulder. McMillan then gave him the option of either coming off the bench or not showing up against the Denver Nuggets. Young chose to not play.

McMillan took over for Lloyd Pierce during the 2020-21 season after Atlanta got off to a 14-20 start. He turned the team around and guided the Hawks to a 27-11 finish. Atlanta excelled in the playoffs as well, upsetting the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the second round and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014-15.

However, the Hawks have been a middling team ever since. They went 43-39 last year and quickly bowed out of the playoffs to the Miami Heat in the first round. This season's team is just 17-18 despite adding star guard Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs via a trade.

Young has struggled, shooting only 31.6 percent from three-point range. John Collins, who once appeared to be a franchise cornerstone, has been the subject of numerous trade rumors. Atlanta has the No. 21 net rating in the league at minus-1.0, per NBA.com, and the team has lost eight of its last 12.

All is certainly not lost, especially with more than half of the season remaining and the team sporting one of the league's most talented backcourts in Young and Murray.

But the latest report raises more concern regarding possible trouble behind the scenes as the Hawks search for the winning formula that propelled them to the Eastern Conference Finals just two years ago.

Patrick Beverley Shades Chris Paul for Failing to Make WCF During Clippers Tenure

Dec 30, 2022
Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, in Phoenix. Phoenix Suns won .(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley (21) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, in Phoenix. Phoenix Suns won .(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley went on comedian and actor Kevin Hart's Cold As Balls show and spoke on a number of topics. Along the way, he got in a shot at one of his NBA rivals, Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul.

The lead-in to the remark began when Hart asked Beverley about a moment when he was on the 2021-22 Minnesota Timberwolves in which he and the rest of his teammates joyously celebrated a play-in tournament win (and playoff berth clinching) over the Los Angeles Clippers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blY6ClBCscs

Beverley gave some context behind that moment and pointed out that Paul used to play on the Clips.

"Chris Paul was on the Clippers," Beverley said. "Then he left and I came on the Clippers. The only crew the Clippers went to the Western Conference Finals; the only time. They didn't go there with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Lob City. They went there with me."

In fairness, Paul was a star on the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, while Beverley was a complementary piece to a star core of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George during the aforementioned 2020-21 campaign. He averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per game in those playoffs.

Still, Beverley was part of a rotation that did something no other Clippers team had done in the franchise's five-decade history.

However, after the season, Beverley was traded to the Timberwolves, who later gave him a one-year, $13 million extension. Beverley said the Clippers weren't willing to show him the money, adding fuel to the fire.

"For them to come and you know [say] we're only looking for you to get $5 or $6 million, I felt like was the ultimate spit in my face when I literally just changed this whole organization around and we just went to the Western Conference Finals," Beverley told Hart. "I didn't think I got the fair end of the stick."

Beverley is back in Los Angeles but with the Lakers, and he's served as the team's starting point guard. His club recently played the Suns, and Beverley hit Paul with the "too small" taunt after a layup. Paul got the last laugh, though, after the Suns won 130-104.

Kevin Durant Calls Out NBA Twitter for Still 'Crying' About Him Joining Warriors

Dec 30, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball to the basket during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 28: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball to the basket during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 28, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant fired back Friday at NBA fans on Twitter who remain critical of his decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

A conversation regarding Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Dubs derived from a discussion between former NBA player Evan Turner and Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala. Turner called the Warriors' dynasty "lame as f--k" and labeled it as "unfair" when KD signed with Golden State:

In response to a Twitter user who agreed with Turner's take, Durant lamented people "crying for seven years" about the fact that he signed with the Warriors:

Durant developed into one of the NBA's biggest stars with the Thunder franchise, and he came close to knocking off the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, but fell just short.

The LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers went on to beat the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals, which prompted them to consider a big move.

That came in the form of signing Durant, who spent three seasons with the Warriors and led them to the NBA Finals each time. The Dubs won championships over the Cavs in each of Durant's first two seasons, and he was named NBA Finals MVP each time.

Durant suffered a torn Achilles in the 2019 Finals loss to the Toronto Raptors and ended up signing with the Nets in free agency, thus signaling the end of the Warriors dynasty until they returned last year and won with Stephen Curry leading the way.

KD has often been criticized for his "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach due to the belief that it threw the NBA's balance of power out of whack.

In fairness to Durant, however, the concept of superteams started well before he signed with the Warriors. The prime examples were the Boston Celtics adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to a roster that already included Paul Pierce, and the Miami Heat adding both LeBron and Chris Bosh to go with Dwyane Wade.

Even the Cavs did it before the Warriors by signing James and acquiring Kevin Love while already having Kyrie Irving on the roster.

Although Durant's time in Golden State was brief, it was dominant, and it will seemingly always be a point of contention among fans.

LeBron James' Historic Career Celebrated by NBA Fans on Lakers Star's 38th Birthday

Dec 30, 2022
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award following Game Six of the NBA Finals on October 11, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at AdventHealth Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers receives the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award following Game Six of the NBA Finals on October 11, 2020 in Orlando, Florida at AdventHealth Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

LeBron James might not be in a celebratory mood as he tries to find answers for the 14-21 Los Angeles Lakers, but fans are showering the future Hall of Famer with praise on his 38th birthday for what he's accomplished in 20 NBA seasons.

Despite the Lakers' struggles, James is playing at a high level. He's shooting 49.8 percent, ranks ninth in scoring average (27.8 points per game) and is tied for 14th in assists (6.6) and tied for 30th in rebounds (8.1).

Fans took to social media to show appreciation for James' career and how he's evolved since being the "kid from Akron" on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 17 years old.

https://twitter.com/Matt0ls0n/status/1608694449730904064
https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1608840729861967877

This is the first season when James has started to acknowledge his age and that his time in the NBA will end sooner than later. Nike debuted a commercial in October in which the four-time NBA Finals MVP took on "Father Time."

James is one of 10 players in NBA history who has played at least 20 seasons. No one in that group played more than 22 seasons. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Jamal Crawford all retired after their 20th season.

"I don't have a number," James told reporters after Wednesday's loss to the Miami Heat when asked how many more seasons he will play. "I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level for a minute. Now, that's up to my mind. My body is going to be OK because if my mind is into it, I will make sure my body is taken care of and I'll continue to put in the work."

James is only 574 points away from tying Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA's all-time scoring list. If he doesn't miss time and maintains his scoring average this season, he will move into the top spot in February.

Among the notable accomplishments on James' resume are four NBA titles in 10 trips to the Finals. His teams played in the Finals in eight consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2018.

He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their only championship and engineered the only 3-1 series comeback in NBA Finals history against the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

James is one of five players to win the NBA MVP award at least four times. His four NBA Finals MVP awards rank second all-time behind Michael Jordan (six).

Lakers Rumors: LA Saving Coveted Draft Picks for Superstar Trade; Bradley Beal Linked

Dec 30, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 27: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Capital One Arena on December 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 27: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Capital One Arena on December 27, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Despite sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Los Angeles Lakers don't appear inclined to make a panic trade involving their highly-coveted future first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2029.

Per NBA reporter Marc Stein in his Substack newsletter, rival teams believe the Lakers want to keep those picks "in case a currently unforeseen shot to trade for a legitimate third star— like Washington's Bradley Beal—materializes suddenly."

This comes after The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported on Dec. 16 that Los Angeles' "ultimate pie-in-the-sky" trade scenario would be if one of Beal, Damian Lillard or Kevin Durant became available.

General manager Rob Pelinka told reporters before the start of the season that trading their "draft capital" would only make sense if it brought back a player or players who clearly improved the Lakers' championship odds.

It's perhaps not a surprise that Stein cited Beal as a potential option for the Lakers instead of Durant or Lillard.

The Brooklyn Nets' recent surge up the standings makes it impossible to envision a scenario where Durant is moved during the season.

Lillard's two-year contract extension signed in July stipulates he can't be traded until July 9, 2023. There's no indication he or the Portland Trail Blazers are looking to move on, but things could change during the offseason if the team misses the playoffs or has an early exit.

Beal's situation is hard to parse out. He admitted in October on JJ Redick's podcast that the market "wasn't too promising" before deciding to sign a five-year supermax extension with the Washington Wizards.

While Beal is almost certainly happy to have a contract that guarantees him up to $251 million, the Wizards remain a mess with a 15-21 record. The structure of his deal could also make a move complicated because it includes a full no-trade clause and a trade bonus of 15 percent.

Despite their lackluster performance so far this season, The Athletic's Josh Robbins recently noted the Wizards don't want to trade Beal and would prefer to upgrade around him.

There's been no indication at this point that Beal is going to seek a trade out of Washington.

Beal would definitely fill the Lakers' need for shooting help. He's making a career-high 52.7 percent of his field-goal attempts this season, along with shooting 34.3 percent from behind the arc.

Putting Beal on a roster with LeBron James and a healthy Anthony Davis could improve his scoring efficiency because defenses would focus their attention on stopping them, leaving him with open opportunities that aren't available with the Wizards.

The Lakers (14-21) have lost five of their last six games and are currently 13th in the Western Conference standings.

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