Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
“The Lakers needed LeBron to score more in 4th quarters vs. Minnesota” is not the same as “LeBron had a bad series.” The first one is true. The second one is not. BK – 2:18 PM

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Story filed to ESPN.com: LeBron James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee from his collision with Donte DiVincenzo in Wednesday’s Game 5, a league source told ESPN. The injury entails a 3-5 week recovery timeline. – 1:42 PM

Sam Amick @sam_amick
LeBron James’ comment about Anthony Davis was eyebrow-raising considering the context.
His view of the roster, sources say, is part of his calculus this summer. More here on the Lakers’ frustrating finish and their uncertain future, w/ @jovanbuha
nytimes.com/athletic/63281… – 1:27 PM

Sam Amick @sam_amick
Diving into the Lakers offseason, with @jovanbuha, at @TheAthletic
* Intel on LeBron scenarios (including non-Lakers)
* Luka’s contract options, and long-term vision
* The pressure (again) that’s on Rob Pelinka to find a big man
nytimes.com/athletic/63281… – 11:43 AM

A day after the Lakers were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Pierce said that getting back to championship contention will require moving on from LeBron James and building a team around their new star, Luka Dončić. “If the Lakers want to get back to a championship contender moving forward, you have to get out of the constraints of the LeBron James era,” Pierce said on FS1’s Speak. “He’s had a grasp of the whole organization, bear-hugging them, for so long now. He’s done some wonderful things for the Lakers organization. They’re probably gonna build a statue of LeBron. But I’m just saying, they have to say, ‘Bron, we appreciate your services, I think we should move on.’ It’s time for the Luka era now, ’cause I don’t know if you can play them together moving forward. You have to have a certain kind of team around Luka to win. And him with LeBron, you won’t be able to create that.” -via Awful Announcing / May 3, 2025

James made a concerted effort to empower Doncic since he arrived in L.A., sources said, and will not try to sway his teammate’s decision. “No, that ain’t my job,” James told ESPN. “I think … I don’t think, I know, Luka knows how I feel about him. And ultimately, that trade happened for the future. That’s not for me. Luka has to decide what he has to do with his future. He’s [26] years old, I’m 40, so he can’t be basing his career off me. That’s just real. “But I hope, obviously, [he stays long term]. Laker fans f—ing love him here. L.A. has accepted him. We love him as a teammate, as a brother. But ultimately, he’s got to make a decision for him. S—, I ain’t going to be around much longer.” -via ESPN / May 2, 2025

Bronny poured himself into getting back onto the court, and went on to average 4.8 points in 25 games for USC before getting selected by the Lakers as the 55th overall pick in June. But ever since that moment, Bronny has been subjected to an unprecedented amount of scrutiny for a late second-round pick, with accusations of nepotism regularly being floated by his detractors. Unsurprisingly, it took a hit on his mental health. “I was under a lot of pressure,” Bronny said. “It was getting to me a little bit.” -via FoxSports.com / May 3, 2025