Arash Markazi: When @ColinCowherd asked me this morning on @TheHerd what star player the Lakers could realistically sign, I didn’t waste any time saying Jimmy Butler. He likes L.A, LeBron James has been in touch with him and he would join the Lakers in a second if they offered him a max deal.
Top Rumors
Blazers sign Neil Olshey to a contract extension
Portland Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey has reached a contract extension that lengthens his deal through the 2023-24 season, the team announced Friday. Olshey has constructed a perennial Western Conference playoff team in his seven seasons, including consecutive years as a third seed and the franchise’s first conference finals berth in 19 years.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Milwaukee assistant Taylor Jenkins interviewed for the Memphis Grizzlies coaching job, league sources tell ESPN. Jenkins has been on Mike Budenholzer’s staff with Bucks and Hawks and served as a Spurs G League head coach.
Nikola Jokic to play at World Cup
Nikola Jokic confirmed today that he will play at the World Cup with the Serbian national team, as reported by the Serbian State News Agency.
Neil Olshey on Wizards' radar
We can connect some dots and land on one executive whose team is still in the playoffs: Golden State assistant general manager Larry Harris. As for the rumor mill, one name stands out: Neil Olshey. Numerous sources told NBC Sports Washington of the Wizards’ interest in Blazers President of Basketball Operations, the architect behind the Portland squad that reached the 2019 Western Conference Finals.
LeBron recruiting Butler, Leonard?
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst was a guest for Thursday’s episode of Pardon The Interruption and during his appearance he gave some evidence to what many were already assuming: LeBron is recruiting free agents, namely Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard and Philadelphia’s Jimmy Butler.
“From what I understand, he has already begun the recruiting process. I’ve heard he has had contact with Kawhi Leonard. I’ve heard he has had contact with Jimmy Butler. There is no tampering enforcement by players. … The thing about it is, I don’t know if texts and calls and maybe a dinner with LeBron is enough for the Lakers to overcome the hurdles that they’re going to have.”
