Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rich Paul Implies Austin Reaves Should ‘Embrace’ Sixth Man Role Like Manu Ginobili

Even though they are in a transitional season, over the last month or so, the Los Angeles Lakers have looked like a Western Conference contender with a 17-6 record.

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The Quiz of the Day

Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Turns Heads with Early 2026 NBA MVP Pick

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has given his early pick for NBA MVP amid a close race. The Lakers have a clear MVP candidate in five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic, who is dominating the league with his scoring and playmaking.

Chris Paul News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA Assist Champions since 1976-77' quiz

How many of the players to win the NBA's assist title since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976-77 season can you name in five minutes?

The '1,000 double-figure NBA games' quiz

The '2024-25 NBA assist leaders' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

Austin Reaves News / Lakers Nation / December 9

Austin Reaves Pleased With Lakers’ Ability To Win Even When He Plays Poorly

One of the biggest reasons the Los Angeles Lakers have exceeded expectations so far this season has been the leap of Austin Reaves into a legit All-Star caliber player.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 20 biggest 'what if?' careers in NBA history

Most of the time, things in the NBA go as people expect. Here and there, though, some players, for one reason or another, just don't meet expectations, whether it's due to injury or other situational pitfalls.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 9

Lakers Champ Horace Grant Gets Honest About Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant Era

On the road to defining their own dynastic legacy, the Shaquille O'Neal-Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers leaned on some of the savvy vets hailing from Phil Jackson's last dynasty, the 1990s-era Chicago Bulls.

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The 'AL and NL MVPs since 2000' quiz

The '2K-scrimmage-yard NFL seasons' quiz

The 'SEC football champions since 1992' quiz

The 'Receiving leaders by NFL team' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / December 9

LeBron James' agent says Lakers aren't true contenders

The Lakers are tied with the Denver Nuggets with a 17-6 record and are sitting in second place in the stacked Western Conference.

Lakers' win propels LeBron James up all-time list after vintage performance

Who is the most-iconic player for every NBA franchise?

The '1,000 double-figure NBA games' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / December 9

LeBron James Sends Powerful Message to Bronny James After Lakers Demotion

It’s a no-brainer that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is a well-versed leader who knows what comes with being the main guy on any team. All the way from his high school days to the NBA, the Akron Hammer has been assuming this role.

NBA News / Lakers Nation / December 9

76ers Rookie VJ Edgecombe Was Excited To Exchange Jerseys With LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night behind an incredible late-game performance from LeBron James. He had 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists on the night, but had 10 consecutive points for the Lakers in the final five minutes of the game.

Los Angeles Lakers News / The SportsRush / December 9

JJ Redick’s Coaching Philosophy is Like 20 Other Teams in the NBA, Says Byron Scott

By any metric, second-year head coach JJ Redick has done a fantastic job so far this year with the Lakers. The team is 17-6, tied for second in the West, and they’ve gotten there despite only having LeBron James for seven of those games.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 9

JJ Redick Praises Deandre Ayton’s Defense Against 76ers

Out of the free agent signings the Los Angeles Lakers made this past summer, Deandre Ayton has stood out as the best addition thanks to his strong two-way play through the first part of the 2025-26 season.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 8

Lakers Urged to Make Major Trade This Season

At 16-6 (as of Dec. 6), the Los Angeles Lakers sit tied for third place in the vaunted Western Conference. The Lakers were widely expected to be a team struggling to even break into the top-six of the conference, as many projected Los Angeles to be a play-in team at best.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Last Word On Sports / December 8

7 Contract-Year Flops, And What It Means For Austin Reaves

This year, Austin Reaves is one of the most underpaid players in the league. He is playing like a top-20 player, and he is getting paid like a top-10 role player.

Luka Doncic News / EssentiallySports / December 8

Luka Doncic Makes Emotional Confession About Leaving Family Back in Slovenia for Lakers

After missing two games for the birth of his daughter Olivia, Luka Doncic rushed back from Slovenia and played on fumes in Philadelphia. Even with the jet lag and emotions hitting him hard, he still powered through with a triple-double and an honest admission about how tough the night really was.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 8

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton left baffled by JJ Redick’s praise about his defense

With the Los Angeles Lakers closing out the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, 112-108, it came with a solid defensive effort, with even head coach JJ Redick shouting out center Deandre Ayton for his performance.

Austin Reaves News / HITC / December 8

Gilbert Arenas warns Austin Reaves about a looming issue he must handle wisely next year

Austin Reaves must decide on his future with the Los Angeles Lakers after the season concludes. He is putting up nearly 30 points and seven assists per game and has stepped into a larger role for the Lakers this year, which could complicate his contract talks in the summer.