Luka, Ja, Zion or Trae: Which young star would NBA execs build around?

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been upgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bulls. This is the first time James has been listed as anything but “out” since February 26.

In that game on February 26, James reported that he felt a pop in his right foot. James has been out since then, with what’s been listed as right foot soreness.

The 20-year veteran has missed the Lakers last 13 games. During that time, Los Angeles has gone 8-5. That solid play has seen the Lakers push up to eighth place in the Western Conference. As of the start of play on Saturday, the Lakers are only two games out of fifth place in the conference.

Doug Christie is well-positioned to remain head coach of the Sacramento Kings, but he has yet to be given any assurances, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic. After the Kings were eliminated in the Play-In, they swiftly parted ways with Monte McNair as general manager and hired Scott Perry as his replacement. Perry will have influence over the head coach decision.

“None,” Christie said after Wednesday’s loss. “But this is where I want to be. You guys know that. I need to finish what I started.”

The Kings elevated Christie to interim head coach after firing Mike Brown in December. The Kings initially surged under Christie before struggling over the final stretch of the season in which they also traded De’Aaron Fox and brought back Zach LaVine.

Christie first joined the Kings’ bench as an assistant in 2021. The Kings hired Mike Brown in 2022.