HoopsHype.com Rumors

Bryant wants to be "back next season with a vengeance," the source said. And he wants "two more cracks at it to win seven NBA titles at least." In other words, it's highly unlikely next season will be his last as Bryant and Derek Fisher lead all current players with five NBA titles, although the Spurs' Tim Duncan could tie them if San Antonio beats the Miami Heat in this year's Finals. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Bryant has always publicly maintained he will only play while he's able to play at an elite level. Next season is his final season under contract with the Lakers. A source with knowledge of the Lakers' thinking told ESPNLosAngeles.com that the team was planning to open extension talks with Bryant as soon as they were allowed to under NBA rules, which ironically came right after he ruptured his Achilles in a game against Golden State on April 12. Both sides would love to see Bryant retire as a Laker, sources said. But the Achilles injury complicated the issue, and especially the timing of talks about an extension. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Mike Trudell: Asked Vitti if @Kobe Bryant was on track to play in the opener: "We don't know yet." Then he said everything is fully on schedule. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Injuries 

Chris Paul and Dwight Howard have been in consistent contact recently about the possibility of becoming teammates next season, according to league sources. Paul and Howard will be the biggest free agents on the market this summer, and their desire is to play together, the sources said. "They would love to play together if somebody can make it happen," one of the sources said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Howard is not particularly fond of the idea of returning to Atlanta, but he would do so to team up with Paul, the sources said. But Paul, despite recently being upset with the Clippers over the perception that he got coach Vinny Del Negro fired, is unlikely to leave Los Angeles, one source said. He has gotten over his anger with the club and likes living in Los Angeles. "It would be very tough for him to go to Atlanta," the source said. "He loved Atlanta when they should have drafted him in '05 but not so much since then. But hey, everybody is an option at this point." ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

The preference for both players would be to play together for the Clippers, according to the sources. Because the Clippers don't have enough cap room to sign Howard as a free agent, it would take a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers to make it happen. The Clippers would be open to working out a deal, but they fear the Lakers would never trade Howard to them, according to the sources. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Sources say there was a faction of the Clippers organization that entertained the idea of trading Griffin for Howard when Howard wanted out of Orlando in 2012. But others within the franchise regarded Griffin as "untouchable," and there were never any serious discussions with Orlando. Multiple sources insist Griffin remains untouchable. But realistically he would have to be included in any deal that brought Howard to the Clippers. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard 

Perfect hair and all, Chandler Parsons was on Jim Rome’s show on Thursday, talking about the Rockets, Team USA mini-camp and, yes… the free agent pursuit of one Dwight Howard. Houston’s starting forward, who is becoming a bit of a star in his own right, was asked if he felt the Rockets had a shot at landing the Lakers’ superstar free agent center this summer. “I think so,” said Parsons. “I’m good friends with Dwight and we talk. When he’s healthy and when he’s playing, he’s the best center in the NBA.” Clutchfans

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Chandler Parsons 

But Parsons, who admitted that the playoff loss to the Thunder is still not out of his system, is ready to take it up a notch. “We have a great nucleus with me, Jeremy, James and Omer. To add a piece like Dwight could really make us take the next step and contend for a championship next year.” Clutchfans

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, Chandler Parsons 

Miami guard Dwyane Wade became only the fifth player in Finals history to notch 30 points, five rebounds and five steals in the same game. Here’s a look at the players who have accomplished that rare feat. 2013 – Dwyane Wade, Miami vs. San Antonio, 32 points, six rebounds, six steals. 2001 – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia vs. L.A. Lakers, 48 points, five rebounds, five steals. San Antonio Express-News

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson 

Kobe Bryant will sit down with late night host Jimmy Kimmel for a conversation at the Nokia Theatre on Aug. 15 to raise money toward eliminating homelessness in the Los Angeles area. "Kobe Up Close" will feature Bryant talking about his career and sharing some of his favorite stories with Kimmel. Tickets for the event range from $25 to $200. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Metta World Peace was the next victim of 2-year-old basketball phenomenon Titus Ashby. Appearing Thursday night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the Lakers forward was out-shot by Ashby, 11-6, in a 30-second competition. World Peace shot on a hoop that was 6 feet, 7 inches high; Ashby's was set at 3 feet. "I've never been nervous in my life, but this kid makes me nervous," joked World Peace before their free-throw battle. Ashby previously tied Kobe Bryant in a pre-taped segment (prior to Bryant's Achilles injury), with four points apiece. He also beat Shaquille O'Neal and Kimmel in earlier episodes. World Peace was a good sport in defeat, presenting Ashby with one of his No. 15 Lakers jerseys. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Metta World Peace, Titus Ashby 

"[The Lakers are] going through crisis and if they ask me to come and sit and just listen to what's going on, I'm willing to do that," he said. "As of right now there's not a position that's open there, in which to have an influence -- so I understand that." Naturally, he talks to his fiancee, Jeanie Buss, who is an executive and owner with the team. "I'm trying to counsel her on ways the team can improve," he said. "They're a mess, we know that because of their financial disorder right now, that's the thing they have to get straight right away." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Owners, Jeanie Buss 

Naturally Jackson wanted Brian Shaw to take over for him after he left the Lakers in 2011 but the team went with Mike Brown, and then, after a brief flirtation with Jackson, chose Mike D'Antoni. "I sat with [Lakers General Manager] Mitch Kupchak a week ago and even he couldn't find out for me," said Jackson of Shaw. "It had something to do with [Lakers owner/executive] Jimmy Buss, I think." Jackson is hopeful that his protégé ends up in the right situation as head coach. "I think that Brian might have an opportunity but I just want it to be the right one for him," said Jackson. "The last conversation I had, I told him to make sure he doesn't end up in a no-win situation like Charlotte." Los Angeles Times

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Jim Buss, Bryan Shaw 

Vincent Ellis: Hearing #Pistons FA point guard Will Bynum drawing interest from #Lakers and #Knicks. #freeagenttalk Twitter @Vincent_Ellis56

Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Will Bynum 

Lakers: Pre-draft workouts today w/ Kenny Kadji, Peyton Siva, Brandon Triche, Dewaye Dedmon, C.J. Harris & B.J. Young. pic.twitter.com/aJBhDoLL6l Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, Peyton Siva, Workouts, Brandon Triche, Kenny Kadji 

The Lakers are working out former Louisville Cardinals point guard national champion Peyton Siva today at their practice facility. Lakers Nation

Los Angeles Lakers, Peyton Siva 

The Lakers are also working out Miami power forward Kenny Kadji, Syracuse guard Brandon Triche, USC center Dwayne Dedmon, Arkansas guard B.J. Young, and Wake Forest guard C.J. Harris. Lakers Nation

Los Angeles Lakers, Draft, BJ Young, Workouts, Dewayne Dedmon, Brandon Triche, CJ Harris, Kenny Kadji 

Mike Trudell: National champion PG Peyton Siva out of Louisville is among those working out for the Lakers today. instagram.com/p/aglMLfS7_e/ Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Peyton Siva, Workouts 

"Everybody knows I'm a LeBron fan, I always tweet good things about LeBron," World Peace said. "This is straight as a fan. I'm a fan now. I'm not in the playoffs, so I'm a fan of the game enjoying the playoffs. When I'm in the playoffs, I'm not enjoying anybody. So, as a fan, sometimes to see LeBron not take over, I'm kind of like, 'Come on, let's do it.' His pops went to jail with my older brother. My brother spent 10 years in jail, they were locked up together. I'm a fan of LeBron, so I always want to see him do well and sometimes I'm like, 'Step it up! Start playing.' " ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Metta World Peace