Report: Lakers looking to make three-team trade for Suns’ Trevor Ariza
Trail Blazers beat Grizzlies in play-in, earn first-round series with the Lakers One of the role players from a previous Lakers title team could be making his way back to Los Angeles if the front office gets its way.An ESPN report Sunday indicated that the Lakers are looking to acquire veteran forward Trevor Ariza from the Phoenix Suns, and could include guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as part of the deal.The report indicates that the Lakers, who would not be able to deal for Ariza until Dec. 15, when players on one-year deals are eligible to be moved. Both Ariza ($15 million) and Caldwell-Pope ($12 million) signed one-year deals this summer with their respective teams.For the Lakers, Ariza, 33, would bring size as a 6-foot-8 wing and defensive stopping prowess. It would represent a push to build a title-contender this year as opposed to the patient approach the franchise has pushed for the last few months. How athletes protesting the national anthem has evolved over 17 years Trail Blazers, Grizzlies advance to NBA play-in game; Suns, Spurs see playoff dreams dashed Caldwell-Pope, 25, quickly dropped out of the starting lineup this season, and his production overall has dropped coming off the bench. He’s averaging 8.5 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game.A potential deal with Ariza and Caldwell-Pope has entangled power brokers at play: Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was Ariza’s agent before assuming his post in the front office. Phoenix general manager James Jones is a long time friend and teammate of LeBron James, and bought out Chandler just 10 games into the season for the Lakers to scoop up in November. Caldwell-Pope’s agent Rich Paul is also James’ agent, and he could have a large say in whether Caldwell-Pope exercises his veto power on a trade.ESPN reported that Caldwell-Pope and Paul would be open to a deal that could increase Caldwell-Pope’s role and aid him in getting signed this summer in free agency. Lakers practice early hoping to answer all questions Lakers, Clippers schedules set for first round of NBA playoffs AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREUCLA alum Kenny Clark signs four-year contract extension with PackersAriza, from Westchester High and UCLA, was a key piece of last year’s Houston Rockets as a three-and-D specialist, and he could bring needed length on the wings. The Lakers often play Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart together in undersized lineups. He’s also a veteran of a championship-winning team on the Lakers in 2009, and is of the same generation as veterans LeBron James and Tyson Chandler (who was his Suns teammate at the start of the season).With the last-place Suns dropping off in the West, Ariza is averaging 9.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as well as 1.3 steals.Related Articles Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error
The Lakers are shutting down two of their young stars for the remainder of the regular season as playoff hopes have faded and troubling medical realities have come to light.The Lakers learned Friday that Brandon Ingram, has a blood clot in his arm that will keep him out for the remainder of the season, the team announced Saturday morning. Multiple media reports have also suggested Lonzo Ball, who has been out since Jan. 19 with a Grade 3 ankle sprain, will not play for the rest of the season after it was determined he was not close to returning to the court.Of the two health updates, Ingram’s was more grimly received. The second overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft had missed the past two games due to a sore right shoulder, underwent further testing by the team’s medical staff Friday, which revealed a Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) in his right arm – a potentially serious medical condition if left untreated.The Lakers first reported that Ingram was feeling soreness Monday after morning shootatound. The issue caused the medical staff to hold him out against the Clippers and the Denver Nuggets this week. Coach Luke Walton told reporters Wednesday that Ingram was feeling pain when he lifted his right arm above his head. AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREUCLA alum Kenny Clark signs four-year contract extension with PackersWalton declined to answer several questions about Ingram’s condition, including how he was taking the news.“I’m not getting into any of that about Brandon right now,” he said prior to the Lakers’ Saturday game against the Boston Celtics. “I’m just finding out a lot of it myself. All I’m going to say on him right now is that he’s out for the rest of the season.”The setback comes just as Ingram was hitting a career-best stride on the court, averaging 18.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 3 apg in his third professional season. While the Lakers have struggled for much of the past two months, Ingram rose above the difficult circumstances, averaging 24 points on 53.4 percent shooting and emerging as a legitimate complementary piece to LeBron James.The Lakers have not yet determined what treatment Ingram will undergo for his condition, and are still in the information-gathering stage. DVT is commonly treated with blood thinners, which would require a player to sit out.The decision to keep Ball out is one that the Lakers have been shifting toward lately: On Friday, Walton cast doubt that Ball might make a return for any of the 16 remaining games. While Walton didn’t officially confirm Ball would not play for the rest of the year, he suggested again Saturday that the second overall pick in the 2017 Draft wasn’t close to suiting up again. “From what I can tell — from my eye test, not being a doctor — he’s not doing basketball stuff yet,” he said. “So we’ll see.”“In their official stance, the Lakers said Ball’s ankle would be re-evaluated in two weeks and had been cleared for non-contact basketball activities. But Walton had suggested in the days leading up to the reports that the Lakers could reach a point that it would be more valuable to sit Ball to keep him healthy for the off-season.”Ball similarly was going through a strong stretch when he was injured, helping the Lakers, seemingly preparing to help the team turn a corner after a multitude of struggles without James, who was missing with a groin injury. Ball ended up with 9.9 ppg, 5.4 apg and 5.3 rpg in 47 games in his sophomore effort. He consistently drew praise as one of the Lakers’ best on-ball defenders: The Lakers’ defensive rating rose from 105.3 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court to 110 when he was off.The Lakers have been roiled by medical setbacks throughout the season, missing James, Ingram, Ball, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler for long stretches. Kyle Kuzma also missed Saturday’s start, his second straight game since rolling his right ankle on Monday.Six-and-a-half games out in the playoff standings as of Saturday morning, the Lakers have embraced a policy of safeguarding their stars from overuse and injury with the postseason now out of reach. The team recently acknowledged it is monitoring James’ minutes and possibly could sit him out for the second game of back-to-backs.It’s not the first time this year Ingram has been sidelined – he missed four games at the beginning of the year for his role in a brawl with the Houston Rockets in the Lakers’ home opener. He later missed seven games with a sprained ankle in December.Ball’s injury was his first this year, but it’s the second season that Ball has finished with less than 55 games played.
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Clippers’ rhythm is missing but their spirits strong before playoff opener Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error Related Articles Lou Williams and JaMychal Green each had a team-high six points for the Clippers.Second quarter:Kawhi with nine points in this quarter alone and there is 7:59 left before halftime. Both teams exchange the lead before the Clippers pulled away late in the quarter.HALFTIME:Clippers lead Lakers 62-54 at halftime.Anthony Davis with 18 points and LeBron James with 14 points in the first half for the Lakers.Kawhi leads the Clippers with 20 points. Lou Williams added 13 points.Third quarter:Danny Green scored 18 of his 21 points in the quarter to help the Lakers overcome a double-digit deficit. The Lakers finished on an 15-3 scoring run to end the quarter tied at 85.Fourth quarter:LeBron turns the ball over to begin the quarter.Kawhi Leonard was booed to start the game but the Board Man got paid tonight. Kawhi scores 30 points in his Clippers debut and defeats the Lakers 112-102 in the Staples Center. Trail Blazers beat Grizzlies in play-in, earn first-round series with the Lakers How athletes protesting the national anthem has evolved over 17 years 
The NBA is back in Los Angeles as the Lakers and Clippers tip-off the NBA season on Tuesday night at Staples Center.The season opener features the regular-season debut of Anthony Davis in a Lakers jersey and Riverside’s Kawhi Leonard in a Clippers uniform.It will be the first of several anticipated matchups this season between two of the favorites to win the 2019-20 NBA championship. For a look at some of our coverage leading up to the opener, click here.[scribble src=”/livescoreboard/12705″ /] Lakers practice early hoping to answer all questions AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREUCLA alum Kenny Clark signs four-year contract extension with PackersFollow along for live updates from the Southern California News Group’s NBA beat reporters, Mirjam Swanson (Clippers) and Kyle Goon (Lakers), tonight and all season.First quarter:With Raptors and Pelicans in overtime on TNT, NBA fans can view the start of Lakers-Clippers on NBA TV. Game will flip back over to TNT after the overtime game ends.The Lakers off to a fast start on a 13-6 run against the Clippers with 6:50 left in the quarter.With LeBron James and Anthony Davis sitting out the final minute of the first quarter, the Clippers go on a 5-0 scoring run to close the gap and trail by three against the Lakers. Davis leads the game with nine points and three defensive rebounds. James had six points. Clippers rookies key overtime victory over Oklahoma City 
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREUCLA alum Kenny Clark signs four-year contract extension with PackersI had the privilege of watching Kobe up close, of interviewing him and writing about him, during his formative years with the Lakers.Complete coverage: Kobe Bryant helicopter crashHis first 10 years in the NBA coincided with my 10 years as a general sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. In that great decade for L.A. sports, the job meant covering the Lakers three-peat, the Pete Carroll Trojans’ titles, the Angels’ World Series championship. Plus lots of Dodgers drama good and bad.The best part was observing Bryant from his debut as a teenager to his prime, from the triumphant but turbulent years with Shaquille O’Neal through his seasons as the Lakers’ lone superstar, from hero to villain and back in the eyes of L.A. fans amid clashes with management and the law. This was more instructive than all the rest of that decade about modern sports and celebrity and the dynamics of individual and team greatness.As a columnist, you drop in the big story of the moment. Unless your face is on ESPN a lot, players might not know you as well as they know the daily beat writers. I can count on one hand the athletes who ever walked across a locker room to say hi – not to praise or complain about something I wrote or to honor an interview request, but just to say it’s been a while and good to see you. Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error Bryant was one who did that, in a hockey arena in Bakersfield before a Lakers exhibition game one year in the 2000s. What might sound like a bland gesture was just the sort of small human kindness that’s rare enough in such settings to be memorable.Probably he was aware that I had often favored him when I wrote about his feud with O’Neal; or he appreciated the commitment of someone who would chug up HIghway 99 to sit in on a preseason game. Or he was just showing the kind of awareness of people around him that you’ll read about in many writers’ remembrances this week.From the beginning, even as Bryant displayed a selfish streak, a famous single-mindedness about his craft, a sometimes aloof and calculating personality, I was surprised that he was at all well-adjusted and often normal. That was no sure thing, given that he’d been immersed in basketball since birth, the hoops-obsessed son of an NBA player.Living in Italy for most of his childhood while Joe Bryant played there would have a broadening effect, of course. But it also put even more of his focus on basketball, since he saw America through NBA videos sent by his grandfather and trips to the United States to play in a summer league.His interest in the world outside basketball was a tribute to his intelligence and, no doubt, the adults in his life, both family and coaches.By the end of his playing career, the “selfish” player had helped two almost entirely different Lakers rosters to multiple championships. The kid who had skipped from high school to the NBA, and missed the intense bond between a player and his college, had more than made up for it with his 20-year connection with the Lakers and their fans. That the emotions between Bryant and fans ran the gamut only made the emotional journey more complete.The player we’d always known was great, but couldn’t always be sure was good, left the court a hero.All of which followed a familiar heel-to-hero athletic career arc. It would have been sad enough if his life had ended then.The short years since make this especially poignant. Bryant was on his way to a second life in the arts, in business, as a father, as driven as he’d been in basketball. Like John Lennon, who died at 40, he was starting over.The one-time prodigy was now the adult mentor in the lives of young NBA stars.As a Hollywood rookie, he won an Oscar as the writer and narrator of the animated short film “Dear Basketball.”Once charged with rape – though not tried, and neither convicted nor exonerated – he was the doting father to four girls and an advocate for women in sports.For once, the word “legacy” isn’t being overused. Kobe’s is heavy and complicated.Figuring out how to emulate and honor him will be hard.Writing Monday on Instagram as if he were addressing Bryant directly, LeBron James said: “I promise you I’ll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation and it’s my responsibility to put this (expletive) on my back and keep it going!!”That might be too much responsibility for one player or even a whole Lakers team. Dedicate the season to Kobe, sure, but it’s too much to think the Lakers will have let him down if they don’t win the NBA title. That’s taking “rings or bust” thinking to an even more ridiculous extreme than usual.We haven’t wrestled with many tragedies quite like this before.Kobe Bryant’s great days as a player were behind him, and we mourn that promise fulfilled. But he seemed to be living his best days as a person when he died, and we mourn what else might have been.There’s a movie in this too. If only he could have made it.
We’re all too used to the tragedy of a great athlete dying young. We make movies about such sad figures: Lou Gehrig. Steve Prefontaine. Brian Piccolo.We’re not as prepared, it turns out, to handle the tragedy of a great ex-athlete dying young.It’s one of the reasons that Bryant’s Song is a different story.By the time he died at age 41 along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas on Sunday, Kobe Bryant was into a second act that was all the more amazing to those who watched him from the start of the first.
With only four games on Monday’s MLB schedule (one of which is in the afternoon), there isn’t much margin for error in MLB DFS contests. There are still some pretty decent pitching options, but obviously picking the right one on FanDuel and right pair on DraftKings is more important than ever.If you’re playing an all-day tournament, we like Jon Lester (vs. Angels) to break his slump. He’s had some tough matchups lately, but the Angels have struggled struggled against lefties most of the season before a recent uptick, so this is a good opportunity to get Lester at a bargain price. Even better, he’s in good position for a win, as Chicago should be able to batter around Trevor Cahill (@ Cubs). If you’re sticking to the three-game evening slate, Aaron Nola (@ Padres) is in a good spot despite an up-and-down season. San Diego generally struggles against righties and at home, so Nola is worth paying up for. Walker Buehler (@ D-backs) has a decent matchup, as Arizona ranks in the bottom 10 in wRC+ against righties, though he hasn’t been great this year and will be in a hitters park. Robbie Ray (vs. Dodgers) is in the same tough environment and has a much tougher matchup, but he has major strikeout upside. Both Eric Lauer (vs. Phillies) and Corbin Martin (@ Mariners) are boom-or-bust candidates who are better suited for GPPs, but on a night with so few options, you might see them in cash games, too.Check the Fantasy Alarm Weather Center closer to lineup lock for the latest weather reports.Today’s Daily Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Rankings: Monday, June 3RankPitcherTeamOpponentOpp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank)Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank)FDDK1Jon LesterCubsvs. Angels100 (T-12th)N/A$6,700$7,0002Aaron NolaPhillies@ PadresN/A85 (22nd)$9,600$9,6003Walker BuehlerDodgers@ D-backsN/A90 (T-20th)$10,400$8,9004Robbie RayD-backsvs. Dodgers126 (T-3rd)N/A$8,000$9,2005Eric LauerPadresvs. Phillies98 (14th)N/A$7,400$7,3006Corbin MartinAstros@ MarinersN/A108 (10th)$6,500$7,1007Trevor CahillAngels@ CubsN/A110 (7th)$6,000$5,1008Wade LeBlancMarinersvs. Astros137 (1st)N/A$6,200$5,000wRC+ is defined by Fangraphs as “[measuring] how a player’s wRC compares with league average after controlling for park effects. League average for position players is 100, and every point above 100 is a percentage point above league average. For example, a 125 wRC+ means a player created 25% more runs than a league average hitter would have in the same number of plate appearances. Similarly, every point below 100 is a percentage point below league average, so a 80 wRC+ means a player created 20% fewer runs than league average.” For more on the stat, click here. Watch ChangeUp, a new MLB live whip-around show on DAZN
Los Angeles does need some help in its bullpen, that is for sure. Beyond Kenley Jansen, the team has gotten less out of free-agent acquisition Joe Kelly than it wanted and only Pedro Baez has decent numbers in the pen, aside from Jansen.The Dodgers need some help, that is clear. The trade deadline is July 31 at 4 p.m. ET. But, according to one report, that’s only a small fraction of the Dodgers’ pursuits of a reliever in the trade market.According to NBC Los Angeles, the Dodgers have reached out about at least 10 relievers in search of help for their bullpen. Related News MLB trade rumors: Mets will ‘have no issues’ sending Zack Wheeler to Yankees MLB trade rumors: Could Yankees target Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray? The Dodgers have reportedly looked into Smith and Vazquez in addition to Brad Hand, Keone Kela, Jake Diekman, Ken Giles, Scott Barlow, Sam Gaviglio, Seth Lugo, Nick Anderson and Hansel Robles.Now, how far these discussions went is unclear. Most of these pitchers have been mentioned in some way in trade rumors and it makes sense the Dodgers would touch base about them. The Dodgers really want help for their bullpen, apparently.Los Angeles has already been linked to several relievers, including San Francisco closer Will Smith and Pirates lefty Felipe Vazquez. MLB trade rumors: Todd Frazier would be ‘OK’ if Mets dealt him
Philadelphia has found a way to fill the void in Cre’Von LeBlanc’s absence.After the Eagles cornerback went down with a foot injury in training camp, Philadelphia signed Orlando Scandrick to a one-year deal Saturday following his workout with the team. Earl Thomas drills receiver in Ravens’ first padded practice The Eagles waived defensive tackle Anthony Rush to make room on the roster for Scandrick. Roster Move: #Eagles have signed CB Orlando Scandrick to a one-year contract and waived DT Anthony Rush.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/9DizgOHx9m— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 27, 2019Scandrick, 32, was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He had 362 tackles, 11.5 sacks and eight interceptions during his nine seasons in Dallas and added 38 tackles and three passes defended in 11 games for the Redskins in 2017. Related News Tyreek Hill welcomed by cheers at Chiefs training camp Cardinals cut ‘not in shape’ Robert Nkemdiche after 3 seasons He finished last season with 44 tackles and a career-high 13 passes defensed to go with one interception and one forced fumble in 15 games for the Chiefs after signing a one-year deal.Scandrick adds depth to a depleted Eagles defense dealing with more than LeBlanc’s injury, as Ronald Darby continues to work his way back from a torn ACL and Jalen Mills (foot) remains on the Active/PUP list.
(Source: Fena) B&H tennis player Aldin Šetkić is qualified in the semifinals of ITF Futures tournament in Heraklion (Greece), valued at 10.000 dollars.Šetkić in quarterfinals defeated Yannik Reuter from Belgium with the result 6:7 (2:7), 6:2, 6:3.He will play against Yann Martin from Switzerland in the semifinals.
Football representation of B&H at the friendly match in Guaruja won over the young team U-21 of Brazilian first league Santos with the result 5:1.Vedad Ibišević (41., 45.) scored two goals and Izet Hajrović (34.), Senad Lučić (62.) and Edin Višća (78.) scored one goal each. Joao Igor (90.) from the Santos team scored one goal.The coach Safet Sušić for the match with Santos did a combining composition. Džeko, Spahić, Pjanić and Bešić were not in the team.This was the last test for B&H representation before the World Championship and the match of the first round against Argentina on Sunday.(Source: Fena)
The list of players who will play in the team of BiH, that is the ones who are called for a qualifying matches for the European Championship in France in 2016, will be announced next week. The players will play against Andorra and the friendly match against Austria.The coach of BiH football national team, Mehmed Bazdarevic, in the statement for the portal Klix.ba confirmed that the list of team members will be announced on Monday at a press conference.“The list of team members will be announced on Monday. There will be around 23 to 26 players. For the weekend, there are matches I need to follow. As it is well known, for the match against Andorra I can register 23 players,” said Baždarević.Qualification match against Andorra will be played on March 28th, a friendly match with Austria on 31st March. (Source: klix)