Day: August 18, 2024

Rumors broke last season of blockbuster trade talks that would have seen LeBron James traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Golden State Warriors. It was reported at the time that talks were serious enough that Lakers and Warriors ownership were involved in the discussion. In the end, the Lakers would have moved James only had he requested a deal got done to send him to the Warriors.

Ultimately, no agreement was reached and James stayed in Los Angeles. That may have been in part because James’ agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports was against the idea of a trade to the Bay Area. The super-agent asked both sides to not consider a deal. Paul reportedly wanted to shield his superstar client from the criticism that would have come from changing teams for a fourth time.

James previously left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010. James then returned to the Cavs in 2014. The superstar forward then left Cleveland a second time for the Lakers in 2018.

Steve Kerr is expected to step down as the head coach of Team USA. Kerr has coached the team through the last cycle, which included the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kerr also assisted Gregg Popovich at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

USA Basketball is expected to choose between Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue to take over for Kerr. Both Spoelstra and Lue have served as assistant coaches for Team USA, including at this summer’s Olympics.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Guerschon Yabusele have agreed to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported that Yabusele and the Sixers were in serious talks on a contract.

Philadelphia can cover up to $850,000 of that buyout this season. The 76ers can offer Yabusele only a veteran minimum contract for this season of approximately $2.1 million.

After excelling for France as the 2024 Paris Olympics, Yabusele was clear that he’d like another shot at the NBA. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 14 points on 51.9% while helping France to the silver medal.

Last season in 64 games across all competition for Real Madrid, Yabusele averaged 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He shot 53.1% from the field and 44.5% on three-pointers.

Yabusele hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since he was waived by the Boston Celtics in 2019. Boston waived the former 16th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft after 74 appearances over two NBA seasons.