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Magic Johnson is never shy about sharing his thoughts on the Lakers, and this time, he's making it clear that the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have just put the Western Conference on notice.
The Lakers legend, a five-time NBA champion and one of the greatest point guards of all time, took to social media to weigh in on the deadline chaos, praising both teams for making the kind of moves that should make the rest of the league nervous.
“With the trades the Lakers and the Warriors just made, if I’m any team in the West I wouldn’t want to see either one of them!” Johnson wrote on X.
Johnson’s words carry real weight. As a player, he helped define the Lakers’ Showtime era, leading them to five titles in the 1980s. As an executive, he played a major role in bringing LeBron James to L.A. in 2018, laying the groundwork for the franchise’s 2020 championship. When Magic speaks on the Lakers — or any team for that matter — people listen.
The Lakers, already dominating trade-deadline headlines after shocking the world by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Mavericks, continued to reshape their roster by adding much-needed frontcourt depth. Late Wednesday night, they pulled off another deal, landing center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap. With Anthony Davis gone, the Lakers had a glaring hole at center, and Williams — a young, athletic rim protector — fills a crucial need as they push for a deep playoff run.
Meanwhile, the Warriors made their own statement move, swinging a blockbuster deal for Jimmy Butler in a four-team trade that sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, P.J. Tucker and a protected 2025 first-round pick to Miami. Shortly after the trade, Golden State locked Butler into a two-year, $121 million extension, keeping him in the Bay Area through the 2026-27 season.
The moves were aggressive, but necessary. The Lakers (29-19) are currently sitting fifth in the West, while the Warriors (25-25) are 11th, still trying to find their way into the play-in picture. Both teams have struggled with injuries and inconsistent play this season, but adding elite talent at the deadline sends a clear message — they still believe they can contend.
The timing couldn’t be better for a statement game. The Lakers and Warriors face off Thursday night in what’s suddenly one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Los Angeles has already won the first two meetings, including a 118-108 victory during NBA Rivals Week that featured a dominant performance from Davis before he was traded. Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT, and with both teams making major moves, it could be the first glimpse of how the new-look rosters stack up.
Magic Johnson has seen plenty of great Lakers teams, and if he’s backing this group, the rest of the league might want to pay attention.
More must-reads:
- LeBron James Discusses Emotions After Finding Out Lakers Traded Anthony Davis
- Lakers give up more picks to add young center than they did for Luka Doncic
- The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz
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NBA Notes: Raptors, Immanuel Quickley, Jordan Clarkson, Knicks, Sixers, Tyrese Maxey
A five-year deal completed nearly a year ago is still shaping the way NBA teams and agents are approaching restricted free agency. According to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, the contract that Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley signed last July has become a major sticking point. The deal, which includes $162.5 million in guaranteed money and another $12.5 million in incentives, averages $32.5 million per season and could reach $35 million annually. “The Immanuel Quickley contract has totally screwed up restricted free agency,” Marks said during an appearance on ESPN’s YouTube channel. “Because that’s where agents are looking at like the benchmark. Certainly, [Bulls guard] Josh Giddey’s like, ‘I want that contract.’ That number has screwed up a lot of things.” Marks said agents are citing Quickley’s deal in negotiations for other young guards with similar production and upside, but teams haven’t been willing to match the price tag. “I don’t think Toronto got enough heat for that number,” he added. “Because Immanuel Quickley is not a $32, $33 million guy.” Clarkson Still a Wild Card for Knicks The Knicks are hoping Jordan Clarkson provides a spark off the bench, but there is uncertainty about what exactly he brings at this stage of his career. As one Western Conference scout told The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, Clarkson hasn’t played meaningful basketball in quite a while and remains a bit of a mystery heading into the 2025–26 season. Still, one Knicks source believes the veteran scorer is “exactly what we needed,” and sees him as a strong fit off the bench. A veteran coach who spoke with Bondy sees upside but also concerns. “High-level shooter. Good going right,” the coach said. “Wild-card-type player. Throw him out there and see if he can get hot. But there’s not much else from a production standpoint. And it’s ugly on defense.” Maxey Gives Back in Philly Tyrese Maxey continues to make an impact beyond the court. The 76ers guard hosted a free youth basketball camp over the weekend and donated $60,000 through his foundation, per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. Maxey’s community efforts have become a regular part of his offseason work in the Philadelphia area. More NBA News Rumors
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
Cubs Predicted To Sign Star Outfielder To Mega-Deal This Winter
It has been a fantastic season for the Chicago Cubs, and a significant reason is because of a singular offseason decision. After winning 83 games the past two seasons, the Cubs got aggressive during the offseason to improve. Chicago was a team that was heading in the right direction but lacking a superstar to help push them over the top. To the surprise of many, they were able to accomplish that with a blockbuster trade that brought Kyle Tucker of the Houston Astros in. Before being traded to Chicago, Tucker was establishing himself as a star with the Astros, but he may have flown under the radar a bit with some other big names on the team. For four straight years, he was able to total a bWAR of 4.5 or higher, with his bWAR being over 5.0 in three of those campaigns. Even though he might not have been a national name before the trade, Tucker was a key part of the success for Houston. Tucker's cost The price to acquire him certainly wasn’t cheap for the Cubs. They sent three very good players to the Astros, with Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith both having a massive impact already for Houston. It was a steep price for a player entering the final year of his contract, and that is something that is still looming over the heads of the organization. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently predicted that Tucker would sign an 11-year, $441 million deal this offseason to remain with the Cubs. “Without so much as a close runner-up, Kyle Tucker is the crown jewel of this year's free agency class.” While the numbers might seem big for the proposed contract, Tucker is a true star in the game and is going to certainly be getting north of $400 million. When looking at the recent contract extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, he is going to be making an average salary of just over $35 million per year throughout his contract. That seems like a fair spot to start for Tucker, who is going to be the top prize in free agency. Luckily, what could end up benefiting the Cubs is that there might not be a ton of competition to sign him in free agency. Juan Soto’s price went through the roof with the New York Mets and New York Yankees both pursuing him last winter. However, as of now, the market for Tucker might not be as crazy as it has been in recent years. For the Cubs, keeping Tucker this winter is going to be their top priority and would be a crushing blow if they lost him in free agency. The Latest Chicago Cubs News Division Matchups And Blue Jays Clash Set Tone For Cubs Playoff Chase Cubs Should Avoid Reunion With Recently Released Former All-Star Pitcher Cubs Star Prospect Owen Caissie Reacts To MLB Trade Deadline, Not Being Moved Cubs New Starting Pitcher Set To Debut Against Reds Next Week
Raiders' Spytek Makes Interesting Roster Moves
It's officially the first week of the NFL preseason, as the Las Vegas Raiders are set to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night for a first glimpse of the team's new regime. However, general manager John Spytek continues to be active with the 90-man roster in training camp, making a couple of moves Sunday morning by adding two new pass-catchers to the Raiders' offense. Raiders sign free agent WR Kawaan Baker and TE Albert Okwuegbunam The Raiders announced they had signed two free agents, wide receiver Kawaan Baker and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, adding more depth to both position groups ahead of Thursday night. In a corresponding move, TE Pat Conroy and WR Kyle Philips were waived from the 90-man roster. Okwuegbunam is the notable addition as a former well-regarded tight end prospect from the Missouri Tigers. He was a fourth-round selection by the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft, spending three seasons with the team before he was traded in 2023 to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2025 seventh-round choice. The former Missouri standout spent some time on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad before being released this past week. Okwuegbunam's best season was in 2022 when he caught 33 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Baker was a former seventh-round pick by the New Orleans Saints out of South Alabama. The former Jaguars playmaker has spent time on four teams throughout his NFL career and played for the United Football League's San Antonio Brahmas before signing with the Raiders on Sunday. Baker was a productive college wide receiver, accumulating over 1,800 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns during his career. He capped his senior season with 51 catches, 659 yards, and eight touchdowns. Okwuegbunam is a late addition to training camp, joining a tight end room that features 2024 rookie sensation Brock Bowers and former Notre Dame standout Michael Mayer. Las Vegas signed former Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas, who was a free agent signee this offseason, making the hill will be a tough one to climb for Okwuegbunam. Baker comes into the wide receiver corps with a group of young players fighting for a roster spot this month. The Raiders should have some of the most competitive battles in camp at receiver, and Baker has an opportunity to swoop in and make a name for himself. Find us on X (formerly Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and Instagram @HondoSr and weigh in on the Raiders latest addition to their roster. While here, check out our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE to discuss this take.
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