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[Los Angeles Lakers]

Lakers News: Luka Doncic’s NBA 2K26 Rating Revealed

The Los Angeles Lakers are in for an exciting 2025-26 season as it appears they’re going to get the best version of Luka Doncic.

Doncic took the time this offseason to transform his body and he showed off his new physique on his Jordan Brand tour as well as in a feature for Men’s Health. Doncic looks like a completely different player as he’s slimmed down considerably, a clear indication that he’s in game shape.

So far, Luka has been showing off his game during the EuroBasket 25 exhibition slate and most recently led Slovenia to its first win over Great Britain. Doncic poured in 28 points to go along with six rebounds and 10 assists in his most complete showing thus far. The Lakers star had a good groove going offensively and displayed much more burst and agility than he previously showed.

With the upcoming season nearly upon fans, the popular video game franchise NBA 2K has been teasing player rankings and Doncic cracked the top 10 with a 95 rating:

Luka Dončić is the 4th highest rated player in #NBA2K26 at 95 OVR!

@luka7doncic | #NBA2KTop100 pic.twitter.com/wud0bsd8Li

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 21, 2025

Doncic comes in at fourth on the list behind only Nikola Jokic (98), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (98) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (97), tied with Anthony Edwards (95), and ahead of Stephen Curry (94), LeBron James (94), Jayson Tatum (94), Victor Wembanyama (94) and Kevin Durant (93). Although Doncic and James find themselves ranked in the middle of their fellow superstars, they represent the only two players on the same team in the top 10. Austin Reaves is the third-highest Laker with an 85.

One could argue Doncic deserves to be in the top three behind Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander, but he was likely dinged a tad for his 2024-25 campaign. Luka missed nearly two months of game action after rehabbing a calf injury and clearly didn’t look like himself once he got to Los Angeles. While Doncic eventually found his footing, he was still far from the otherworldly player he’s established himself as.

Doncic shouldn’t have to wait too long to see his rating adjusted if he starts the 2025-26 season off on a high note. He has every reason to be motivated following his emotional departure from the Dallas Mavericks coupled with any doubts that he can restore the Lakers to glory.

Doncic is being touted as the early MVP favorite and only time will tell if he can hit those lofty expectations.

Greg St. Jean looking forward to Luka Doncic and LeBron James building chemistry in training camp​

Luka Doncic and LeBron James will be counted on to lead the Lakers this season and assistant coach Greg St. Jean acknowledged he’s looking forward to see the two stars build chemistry during training camp.

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Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-news-luka-doncic-nba-2k26-rating-revealed/

 

[Los Angeles Lakers]

Lakers Video: LeBron, Bronny & James Family Get Matching Tattoos

If there is one thing that is very known about Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James it is that family means everything to him. LeBron and his wife Savannah have been together since high school, his oldest son Bronny James is his Lakers’ teammate while younger son Bryce James is set to begin his freshman season at the University of Arizona, and they have a young daughter, Zhuri, as well.

The James family has always been very close and remained connected even despite the demands on LeBron as one of the most popular athletes in the world for more than 20 years now. They are often seen posting on social media together and the family recently did something to connect them even further.

A video was posted on social media in which LeBron, Bronny, Savannah and Bryce got matching tattoos on their right arms together, via Bleacher Report:

LeBron, Savannah, Bronny and Bryce all got tatted together on their right arm

(via ganga/IG) pic.twitter.com/fwphLWiH3U

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 22, 2025

Exactly what tattoo the James family got together remains unknown, but whatever they chose is undoubtedly something very meaningful to them. To make that decision together really shows the bond that they all have, especially for Savannah to also be involved. LeBron and his sons doing something like this together makes a lot of sense, but for the wife and mother to do this as well means it has to be something special to everyone.

LeBron and the James family are truly an ideal example of family values and togetherness that everyone wants with their loved ones. The love and connection they have is beautiful and regularly on display for the world to see. With Bryce soon to leave for Arizona and the Lakers season not far away as well, they will all be on their separate paths, but something like this keeps them all together no matter where they’re at physically.

Warriors have inquired to Lakers about LeBron James multiple times​

There has been a question this summer about LeBron James’ future with the Lakers and whether he might look to be traded from the franchise as he is entering the final year of his contract. By all accounts a deal is highly unlikely, but that hasn’t stopped teams from at least inquiring as to LeBron’s availability, particularly the Golden State Warriors who have reached out multiple times about a potential deal.

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Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-video-lebron-bronny-james-family-get-matching-tattoos/

 

[Los Angeles Lakers]

Lakers Rumors: Warriors Have Inquired About LeBron James Trade On ‘Multiple Occasions’

With the start of training camp just over a month away, the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster is essentially set for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Perhaps the only uncertainty involves the future of LeBron James. Despite picking up his player option to return to the Lakers, he made it clear that he wants to compete for championships and was unsure if L.A. had a roster good enough to do it.

All of that noise has quieted, however, mainly because James has not requested a trade and the Lakers have no desire to deal the 40-year-old. Even if they did, he holds a full no-trade clause so would be able to control his next destination.

Despite all of that, one team has apparently continued to reach out about a potential LeBron trade and that is the Golden State Warriors, per NBA insider Jake Fischer:

As long as LeBron James’ future in Los Angeles remains uncertain, Golden State will undoubtedly be mentioned as a potential James suitor.

I’m told that the Warriors have called the Lakers on multiple occasions over the past 18 months to see whether there is any trade pathway to pairing James with Stephen Curry, who roughly a year ago at this time was teaming with LeBron for the United States senior men’s national team on its run to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. After all those NBA Finals clashes. James and Curry were said to greatly enjoy their experience as teammates on the international stage … with Golden State’s Steve Kerr, of course, serving as their Olympic coach.

The Warriors, furthermore, are known for their penchant to go big-game hunting, starting with their original pursuit of Durant in the summer of 2016 and carrying through to their February acquisition of Butler.

The Warriors have had interest in pairing James with Stephen Curry for a while now, but the Lakers star rejected that opportunity when it was presented to him.

If a trade were to happen it would likely have to be Jimmy Butler straight up for LeBron, which wouldn’t make much sense for the Lakers. If Golden State signed restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga to a sizable contract then perhaps other possibilities would open up, but they have yet to do that to this point.

All expectations are that James will begin the season with the Lakers. If things aren’t working out though, then perhaps a trade is revisited before the deadline in February.

ESPN to televise Lakers preseason game vs. Warriors​

It won’t be long before the Lakers and Warriors meet for the first time as they will square off on Opening Night. They will also play each other in the preseason in a game that was recently picked up by ESPN.

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Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-rum...out-lebron-james-trade-on-multiple-occasions/

 

[Los Angeles Lakers]

Vanessa Bryant, LeBron James, Pau Gasol, Magic Johnson & More Birthday Wishes For Kobe Bryant

Aug. 23 marks Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s birthday as he would have turned 47-years-old on Saturday. His passing still does not feel real, but the legacy he left behind remains intact to this day.

As a basketball player and competitor, Bryant was a one-of-one talent and truly emptied the tank through his 20-year career in Los Angeles. The Lakers organization values championships and a player’s legacy is measured by titles. That box was checked as he brought five titles to L.A., including a three-peat through the early 2000s.

Bryant’s birthday is before his own day as Aug. 24 is celebrated annually as Mamba Day. As a precursor to Sunday, members of the Lakers family took the time to commemorate a legend as Vanessa Bryant, LeBron James, Pau Gasol, Magic Johnson, Caron Butler and Robert Horry were among those to take to social media to celebrate Kobe’s birthday:

Vanessa’s birthday post for Kobe

#HappyBirthdayKobe pic.twitter.com/HewnbRocpT

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) August 23, 2025

LeBron also posted this on his IG story: pic.twitter.com/24cNTcKQn9

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) August 23, 2025

Happy Birthday, hermano. I miss you and love you always

pic.twitter.com/KNZTFrfH34

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 23, 2025

Remembering husband, girl dad, entrepreneur, friend, five-time champion, and one of the greatest to ever lace them up, Kobe Bryant on his birthday

pic.twitter.com/oTUfmMionU

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 23, 2025

We miss you Kobe.
Rest in peace & power.

pic.twitter.com/oDHc7dGAk4

— Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) August 23, 2025

​

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Robert Horry (@roberthorry7x)​

It is always heartwarming to see current and former Lakers show love to one another. No one will know what Bryant’s life after basketball would have amounted to, but he achieved a lot in a short amount of time like becoming a best-selling author, a basketball analyst and even becoming a coach as he coached his daughter Gianna Bryant’s AAU team.

Bryant was also an avid supporter of the Lakers, so it’s unfortunate that he does not get to witness Luka Doncic in the purple and gold in the coming years.

Bryant’s birthday and Mamba Day are not the only way his legacy lives on as he currently has two numbers retired and multiple statues in front of Crypto.com Arena. Regardless, Bryant will continue to be celebrated in L.A. and across the world on his birthday every year.

Kobe Bryant movie in works at Warner Bros.​

There are some iconic movies depicting professional athletes and Kobe Bryant appears to be next in line to get his own film as Warner Bros. Pictures has reportedly picked up a script about the superstar getting drafted by the Lakers at age 17.

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Source: https://lakersnation.com/vanessa-br...johnson-more-birthday-wishes-for-kobe-bryant/

 

[Los Angeles Lakers]

Lakers News: LeBron James Returning To China As Part Of Forever King Tour With Nike

LeBron James is the definition of a global superstar. The Los Angeles Lakers star entering his 23rd NBA season has had arguably as much international fame as any player in league history, and is a sight to see any time he steps foot in another country. His partnership with Nike has only increased that fame over the last two decades.

One place where James is particularly famous is in China, arguably the NBA’s biggest market including the United States. Basketball is massive in China, and no one has been more representative of NBA basketball over the last 23 years than LeBron.

So it stands to reason that Nike, as part of the Forever King Tour next month, is sending James to China for the 15th time:

LeBron James is returning to China for the 15th time with Nike as part of his upcoming Forever King Tour, deepening his connection with local basketball communities while marking the 20th anniversary of his first Nike tour of Asia.

Ahead of his 23rd NBA season, LeBron will visit Shanghai and Chengdu next month to share his love for basketball with some of the world’s most ardent and loyal fans, inspiring the next generation along the way.

“There’s an unbelievable love and appreciation for basketball in Asia that’s always incredible to experience,” says LeBron. “To have the opportunity to share the game with fans and connect with athletes all over the world means a lot to me.”

While in China, LeBron will work directly with young players from the Nike RISE program, which has enabled the growth and transformation of countless athletes over the past decade — supporting the development of the next generation by connecting passion with professional pathways.

It’s another remarkable opportunity for James to speak to the next generation of players directly and ensure that basketball is in a better place because of his contributions. A chance to meet LeBron would be inspiring to players regardless of where they are in the world.

Warriors have inquired about LeBron James multiple times​

With the start of training camp just over a month away, the Lakers’ roster is essentially set for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Perhaps the only uncertainty involves the future of LeBron James. Despite picking up his player option to return to the Lakers, he made it clear that he wants to compete for championships and was unsure if L.A. had a roster good enough to do it.

All of that noise has quieted, however, mainly because James has not requested a trade and the Lakers have no desire to deal the 40-year-old. Even if they did, he holds a full no-trade clause so would be able to control his next destination.

Despite all of that, one team has apparently continued to reach out about a potential LeBron trade and that is the Golden State Warriors, although a trade doesn’t appear to be on the horizon.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Source: https://lakersnation.com/lakers-new...china-as-part-of-forever-king-tour-with-nike/