Butler turns away questions about future in L.A.

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry has reached agreement to sell his stake in the team to Jimmy and Dee Haslam of Haslam Sports Group. The valuation agreed to was $3.5 billion.

Lasry is selling his 25 percent share of the Bucks after nearly nine years of ownership. Lasry and Wes Edens bought the majority of the franchise from Herb Kohl in April 2014. Kohl still retains a significant minority investment in the Bucks.

Under Edens and Lasry’s ownership, the Bucks won the 2021 NBA Finals. The duo also helped push through the building of the Fiserv Forum. The Bucks have played there since October 2018.

The $3.5 billion valuation is the second-highest in NBA history, following the recent $4 billion valuation of the Phoenix Suns when Mat Ishbia purchased the team earlier this year. Haslam Sports Group also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Brown and MLS’s Columbus Crew.

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.