‘No better feeling’: How Draymond Green, Klay Thompson rescued a Warriors season on the brink

ESPN has held preliminary talks about bringing professional sports leagues on as minority investors. The NBA, MLB and NFL held talks with the media company.

Disney is considering a strategic partner for ESPN as the cable business undergoes transition.

In a statement, an NBA spokesperson said, “We have a longstanding relationship with Disney and look forward to continuing the discussions around the future of our partnership.”

The NBA and Disney have broached many potential structures around a renewal of media rights.

Disney owns 80 percent of ESPN. Hearst owns the other 20 percent.

Professional sports leagues could face conflicts of interest if they take a minority stake in ESPN.

The Portland Trail Blazers are hoping to move forward with a combination of veterans in Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant, while bringing along young potential stars in Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson.

“If Damian Lillard wants to go to a contender, it’s going to probably have to be somewhere [else],” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “Unless he’s willing to wait a couple of years for this group to grow. There’s no magic trade out there for them.

“They’ll to try to re-sign Jerami Grant. I have some confidence they’re going to be able to do that.”

The Blazers didn’t like any of their trade options to move No. 3, so they decided to keep the selection for themselves.

“I think Portland did what was right by their organization, their front office,” added Wojnarowski. “Trading out of No. 3 for whatever the best available veteran would have been would have been malpractice.”