LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers beyond the 2025-26 season is uncertain. The four-time NBA MVP picked up his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season, but notably did not negotiate a longer-team deal with the team for whom he’s played seven seasons. 

However, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said it “would be great” if James retired as a Laker. He made the remark during Saturday’s news conference to announce the three-year, $165 million contract extension for Luka Dončić.

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“All the interactions we’ve had with LeBron and his camp, Rich Paul in particular, have been very positive and supportive,” Pelinka said when asked if he expected James to finish his career with the Lakers. “Very professional and Rich has been great. The dialogue with him has been open and constant.

“In terms of LeBron’s career, I think the No. 1 thing we have to do there is respect he and his family’s decision in terms of how long he’s going to play. I think that’s first and foremost. We want to respect his ability to come up with his timetable and that’s really important. If he had the chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great.”

James’ future with the Lakers became a question after he picked up his 2025-26 option. Paul issued a statement to ESPN that appeared to put the team on notice, saying, “LeBron wants to compete for a championship” and “values a realistic chance of winning it all.”

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” Paul said. “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

The possibility of James leaving the Lakers as a free agent has stoked speculation a trade could be in play if the team doesn’t contend for a championship this season, despite James having a no-trade clause. Insiders have circled the Dallas Mavericks as a possible destination, though previous reporting has indicated Dallas would only be interested in adding James if he were bought out from his 2025-26 contract. 

Yet perhaps that stance could change midway through the season if the Mavs felt they were in the championship hunt. Such a scenario may also apply to the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and even the Cleveland Cavaliers.

What was made even clearer by the Lakers signing Dončić to an extension is that the team intends to build around him from this point forward. If that means James’ chances of pursuing a fifth NBA championship — and playing a few more seasons — are better elsewhere, he might not finish his career with the Lakers. And Pelinka’s remarks did nothing to dispel that notion.

Pitcher Tanner Houck will undergo Tommy John surgery, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters (via MassLive’s Chris Cotillo) on Saturday. 

Houck, 29, has been on the injured list with a flexor pronator strain in his right forearm since May 13. Such an injury is often a precursor to a tear that requires reconstructive surgery, but the Red Sox hoped Houck would recover with rest and rehabilitation. 

However, Houck’s rehab assignment was cut short on July 9 when he was still feeling soreness in his right arm. Last week, the Red Sox shut him down from throwing, making a 2025 return seem unlikely. At the time, Cora said surgery wouldn’t be necessary. But orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister recommended a procedure after viewing his MRI results.

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Now, Houck will not only miss the remainder of the 2025 season but by undergoing surgery in August, he will likely be sidelined for the 2026 campaign as well. In nine starts before going on the IL, Houck registered an 8.04 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings. 

Boston’s first-round draft pick (No. 24 overall) in 2017 out of Missouri, Houck has compiled a 3.97 ERA and 24-32 record in 113 appearances (80 starts), averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He was named to the MLB All-Star team last season, finishing with a 3.12 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings. 

Houck’s uncertain status made getting another starting pitcher a priority for the Red Sox at the MLB trade deadline. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow acquired Dustin May (6-7, 4.85 ERA) from the Los Angeles Dodgers, in addition to reliever Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. 

However, critics asserted that the team didn’t add nearly enough when it’s four games out of first place in the AL East and has a tenuous hold on one of the league’s three wild-card playoff berths. 

The Red Sox rank 12th in MLB with a 4.01 ERA from their starters, with a Cy Young Award candidate in Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello also pitching well. 

However, Walker Buehler has been disappointing, while Lucas Giolito has been inconsistent. Additionally, Hunter Dobbins suffered a season-ending right ACL tear before the All-Star break and Patrick Sandoval has not fully recovered from left elbow surgery and is doubtful to pitch in 2025 after signing as a free agent.

“Tough year for him, tough year for us,” Cora said, via MLB.com. “But he’ll kill the rehab, he’ll do his job, and when he comes back, he’s going to be OK.”

Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Dončić have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $165 million. As reported by ESPN, the third year is a player option.

Let’s put the deal into context and break down where we go from here.

The chase for another star begins now

With Dončić now signed, the Lakers will pivot toward identifying a secondary star who eventually will take over for 40-year-old LeBron James.

While the Lakers do have Austin Reaves, he’ll likely be a free agent in 2026 and his contract is worth dramatically less than his on-court production. Reaves, who is also more of a playmaker who needs the ball in his hands to be effective, isn’t necessarily a clean fit with Dončić, and the organization should be looking for either a big wing or an All-Star-caliber big man to pair with the Slovenian.

Deandre Ayton, who signed with the Lakers after a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, is likely to be given a real chance at establishing himself as the center moving forward, but given the uncertainty of their fit, it’s too soon to write his name into the lineup over the next few years.

With Dončić in the fold, make no mistake: The Lakers are on the clock with extreme urgency. They have no time to waste if they wish to maximize Dončić’s prime, and that means competing for a title from this very season on.

Dončić could be eligible for a $417 million contract in 2028

Dončić didn’t sign an extension for what is a full ride, and he can thus be a free agent earlier, if he so chooses, via his player option.

By 2028, Dončić will be eligible for 35% of the cap, as he then would have 10 years of service, meaning he’ll be eligible for a five-year deal worth $417 million, assuming the annual salary-cap increases don’t vary too much.

That said, it certainly appears Dončić is also keeping his options open. While the path toward nearly half a billion is now laid out, it’s also fair to consider Dončić’s own competitiveness in all of this, especially as someone who has been to the NBA Finals recently.

If the Lakers fail to build a proper team around Dončić in the coming years, having an out in 2028 would be a welcome asset for Dončić.

All in all, Dončić is betting on the Lakers to find him help. It’s a bit optimistic given the current roster construction, but the 26-year-old has decided to give the organization a real chance to prove his optimism right.

Now the onus is on the Lakers to realize those expectations.

Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Dončić have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $165 million. As reported by ESPN, the third year is a player option.

Let’s put the deal into context and break down where we go from here.

The chase for another star begins now

With Dončić now signed, the Lakers will pivot toward identifying a secondary star who eventually will take over for 40-year-old LeBron James.

While the Lakers do have Austin Reaves, he’ll likely be a free agent in 2026 and his contract is worth dramatically less than his on-court production. Reaves, who is also more of a playmaker who needs the ball in his hands to be effective, isn’t necessarily a clean fit with Dončić, and the organization should be looking for either a big wing or an All-Star-caliber big man to pair with the Slovenian.

Deandre Ayton, who signed with the Lakers after a buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, is likely to be given a real chance at establishing himself as the center moving forward, but given the uncertainty of their fit, it’s too soon to write his name into the lineup over the next few years.

With Dončić in the fold, make no mistake: The Lakers are on the clock with extreme urgency. They have no time to waste if they wish to maximize Dončić’s prime, and that means competing for a title from this very season on.

Dončić could be eligible for a $417 million contract in 2028

Dončić didn’t sign an extension for what is a full ride, and he can thus be a free agent earlier, if he so chooses, via his player option.

By 2028, Dončić will be eligible for 35% of the cap, as he then would have 10 years of service, meaning he’ll be eligible for a five-year deal worth $417 million, assuming the annual salary-cap increases don’t vary too much.

That said, it certainly appears Dončić is also keeping his options open. While the path toward nearly half a billion is now laid out, it’s also fair to consider Dončić’s own competitiveness in all of this, especially as someone who has been to the NBA Finals recently.

If the Lakers fail to build a proper team around Dončić in the coming years, having an out in 2028 would be a welcome asset for Dončić.

All in all, Dončić is betting on the Lakers to find him help. It’s a bit optimistic given the current roster construction, but the 26-year-old has decided to give the organization a real chance to prove his optimism right.

Now the onus is on the Lakers to realize those expectations.

A familiar playlist of Balkan hits led Luka Doncic out onto the court at the Lakers practice facility. A gallery display of photos stood in the back. Six months after first arriving here in a blockbuster trade that shocked the NBA, Doncic has good reason to finally relax.

Doncic signed a three-year, $165-million deal with a player option in 2028 on Saturday, his agent Bill Duffy, confirmed to The Times. In 2028, he would be eligible for a five-year extension worth more than $360 million.

It was an exclamation point to Doncic’s summer media tour that included a “Men’s Health” article detailing his offseason workout regimen, a “Today Show” interview and a photo opp with Aaron Judge at a New York Yankees game.

Now it’s back to basketball.

“We have what we need to compete for the championship,” Doncic said. “I’ll try to win every game no matter what and we got some new great guys on the team so you know we’re going to go for it.”

Several of Doncic’s Lakers teammates, including Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber, were seated in the background of the impromptu Saturday morning news conference. Doncic, wearing a slim-fitting black suit that showcased his widely talked about toned figure, hunched on a tall chair next to general manager Rob Pelinka.

Read more:Luka Doncic takes a jab at Mavericks while showing off his revenge body

After Doncic and Pelinka posed for the traditional photo opportunity, Lakers teammates and coach JJ Redick descended on the floor and squeezed in for a photo as Doncic held his gold No. 77 jersey.

Less than a full season into his Lakers tenure, Doncic was a critical figure in helping construct what he proudly proclaimed could be “a team to win the championship.” He placed two calls to Smart to lure the defensive ace to L.A. after the Washington Wizards bought out his contract. A smiling Ayton stood to Doncic’s left in the photos, the 7-foot center adding a lob-catching center that will “unlock so much in Luka,” Pelinka said.

“Our thesis for our roster was to get younger,” said Pelinka, who also added 23-year-old sharpshooting forward Jake LaRavia in free agency. “… We like the upgrades we were able to make to the roster. But by no means are we going to be satisfied. I think every year we’re on an infinite cycle to try to improve this team and win championships and we’ll stay committed to that work.”

In 28 games with the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists in 35.1 minutes per game. But the team was handily bounced from the playoffs, losing 4-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a first-round series as Doncic averaged 30.2 points per game, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

After the shocking trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Doncic, the Slovenian star was criticized for his work ethic and fitness. But after working with his personal trainers, Doncic’s svelte physique has been the talk of the NBA since “Men’s Health” published a feature about how he remade his body with an offseason program focused on weightlifting, sprints and a no-sugar, high-protein diet.

The makeover has been perceived as Doncic’s revenge since the Mavericks traded him unceremoniously. Yet Doncic insisted he was already “on my way [to] doing it.”

“But it was just kind of a fresh start,” Doncic added.

The 26-year-old’s extension was one of the biggest check marks of the Lakers’ offseason that also included LeBron James exercising his player option for $52.6 million. The 40-year-old superstar who is entering his 23rd NBA season was not present Saturday.

Saturday’s announcement came six months to the day after Doncic joined the team in a trade that, for the first time, took focus in the Lakers organization away from James. The franchise suddenly brought in another central figure who would carry the team into its next era.

The move took Doncic by surprise. He wouldn’t have chosen to leave Dallas. But by signing a new deal with the Lakers, he affirmed his choice for the future.

“We could not be more grateful for you choosing this partnership,” Pelinka said. “The best young basketball player in the universe joins, for the long-term future, the best sports franchise on the globe.”

The decision wasn’t difficult for Doncic, who posted on social media that the extension was “just the beginning.” He knew from his Lakers debut, after he recovered from a lingering calf injury that marred his final months with the Mavericks, that he could make a home with this franchise. The fan reception made it clear in his mind.

Doncic has endeared himself to the community by donating to wildfire recovery in L.A., pledging funds to restore Kobe and Gianna Bryant murals around the city and paying for parking at Lakers games. On Saturday, Doncic made his first comments in Spanish, acknowledging the high number of Spanish-speaking Lakers fans. He joked that he wouldn’t speak English.

“Being a Laker is an honor,” Doncic said, “and I wanted to be here.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Luka Dončić is staying in Los Angeles. The five-time All-NBA guard has agreed to a three-year, $165m maximum contract extension with the Lakers, ESPN reported Saturday. The deal includes a player option for the 2028–29 season and replaces his prior contract, which featured a player option for 2026–27.

Dončić, 26, now avoids free agency next summer and positions himself for an even larger deal in 2028, when he would be eligible for a projected five-year, $417m contract worth 35% of the salary cap.

Related: LeBron James, Nikola Jokić reportedly meet over $5bn upstart to rival NBA

“This is just the beginning,” Dončić said in a team statement. “I’m excited for what’s ahead and to keep building something special with this team.”

The Lakers acquired Dončić in a February blockbuster that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, one of the most seismic trades in recent NBA history. Since then, team officials led by governor Jeanie Buss and head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka have forged a close relationship with Dončić’s camp, including agent Bill Duffy and longtime business manager Lara Beth Seager.

“Luka is one of the game’s most transcendent players,” Pelinka said. “He’s a fierce competitor and a leader who’s committed to winning. We believe he can bring championship basketball back to Los Angeles.”

Despite playing a career-low 50 games last season, Dončić led the Lakers in points, rebounds, assists, steals and made threes after debuting on 10 February. He also became just the fifth player in franchise history to average at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in a playoff series, though the Lakers fell to the Timberwolves in the first round.

Off the court, Dončić has already shaped the Lakers’ offseason. He helped recruit Marcus Smart and shares a long-standing friendship with Deandre Ayton, both of whom signed with LA this summer.

Dončić also addressed long-standing concerns about his conditioning in a recent Men’s Health feature. Head coach JJ Redick emphasized that title contention will require the entire roster to get into “championship shape”.

For the Lakers, locking in Dončić is the clearest sign yet that a new era has arrived.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell made his first start since April 2 on Saturday and gave up two home runs during a 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Snell was activated off the injured list after missing the last four months with left shoulder inflammation. He had made only two starts to begin the season, allowing two earned runs and 10 hits in nine total innings. However, the left-hander only registered four strikeouts with eight walks, likely indicating something wasn’t right. 

On Saturday, Snell went five innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Yandy Díaz, Snell’s former teammate in Tampa, took him deep twice during the Rays’ win.

The Dodgers were curiously quiet at the MLB trade deadline, adding reliever Brock Stewart and outfielder Alex Call. But that may have been because the team anticipated getting pitchers like Snell back. If he’s as effective as he’s been during his previous nine seasons, Snell could be a more impactful addition than any trade acquisition. 

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Wednesday that Snell was scheduled to start Saturday. He threw a bullpen session Thursday to get into his routine for a regular starting spot.

Snell started 108 games for Tampa Bay, compiling a 3.24 ERA and 42-30 record while averaging 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. He was traded to the San Diego Padres before the 2021 season and pitched for the Dodgers’ NL West rivals for three seasons, posting a 3.15 ERA, averaging 11.9 Ks per nine innings and winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2023. 

After becoming a free agent following the 2023 season, Snell was one of the “Boras Four,” clients of infamous super-agent Scott Boras who had difficulty getting lucrative long-term contracts on the open market. Ultimately, Snell settled for a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. But he opted out of the deal after the first year, trying free agency again after notching 145 strikeouts in 104 innings. 

Snell signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers last November, joining what appeared to be a powerhouse rotation for one of the best teams in baseball. 

Injuries have prevented that rotation — which includes Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin and Shohei Ohtani — from following through on that promise. But with nearly all of those pitchers now recovering, the Dodgers could have a formidable rotation by the end of the season and into the postseason if they remain healthy.