“That’s all we working out for is the Lakers,” LaVar Ball told Lakers Nation last month. “Just the Lakers. There’s nobody else that we need to work out for.” MORE: Latest NBA Mock Draft LaVar, however, was not allowed to watch. Coach Luke Walton told Jim Rome on Tuesday that Lonzo’s workout will be closed to everyone, including LaVar. While Walton wanted to keep LaVar away from the workout, Walton did say he was welcome to dinner....

Although Zion Williamson has emerged as one of the top college prospects in recent memory, the general perception of this class hasn’t changed much. It’s not great. That doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be good NBA players entering the league next season. It just means things might be a bit more uncertain than in higher quality classes. MORE: NBA submits proposal to lower draft age Before diving into our list of the top 60 prospects, we should take time to highlight a handful of arguable deviations from the consensus and the reasons why:...

It would be much more reasonable to allow these youngsters to develop and evaluate them based on a significant sample size. But come on, what’s the fun in that? Now that we know the final results of the 2020 NBA Draft, it’s time to declare a few early winners and losers. NBA DRAFT: Biggest steals, worst reaches from Round 1 NBA Draft 2020 winners Sacramento Kings It was a surprise to see Tyrese Haliburton slide outside the top 10, so Sacramento has to be ecstatic about this pick....

Nope. Detroit went chalk to open Thursday night’s draft, choosing the Oklahoma State star with the No. 1 overall pick. Houston and Cleveland also failed to surprise the fans at the Barclays Center, taking Jalen Green and Evan Mobley at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. The Pistons, Rockets and Cavaliers are certainly feeling good about with their picks, but a few teams may be scratching their heads in the near future when they realize who they could have landed....

Meet Kristaps Porzingis, a 7-1, 230-pound inside presence that can also hit shots from outside like the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki. MORE: Mudiay: ‘It’s a point guard’s league now’ | Oubre eyes Hornets | NBA Draft 2015’s foreign corps The 76ers, who own the No. 3 overall pick, closely watched Porzingis as he participated in a group workout in Las Vegas on Friday. And, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, certain scouts were impressed with the Latvian’s game....

The Warriors throttled the Cavs on Thursday night at Oracle Arena with suffocating team defense and an offensive onslaught from Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, who combined for 66 points on 25-of-48 shooting. Despite winning 113-91, Golden State can be even better after shooting only 42.5 percent from the field as a team and getting little offense out of starters Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. DEVENEY: Warriors weren’t at their best in Game 1 — and that’s scary...

The Cavs led from start to finish Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena on the way to a 137-116 victory over the Warriors. Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 40 points on 15-of-27 shooting (7 of 12 from 3-point range) while LeBron James passed Magic Johnson for most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history (nine) with 31 points, 11 assists and ten rebounds. Kevin Durant poured in 35 points, but Golden State’s Splash Brothers struggled all night....

While it has taken different forms, this Spurs group won its fifth title in 16 years on Sunday. It is the first title for the franchise, which lost in the NBA Finals last year, since the 2006-07 season. San Antonio entered Game 5 with a 3-1 lead over the Heat, a team that plays best with its back against the wall. None of Miami's past successes mattered in this moment, however....

Although Kevin Durant and Kevon Looney re-aggravated injuries in the matchup and left the game, the Warriors held on. The Warriors will head back to Oracle Arena for Game 6 in hopes of forcing a Game 7. Here are three takeaways from Golden State’s season-saving victory: The Warriors were hot from deep Golden State made five straight 3-pointers early in the first quarter, and its efficient shooting carried it throughout the game....

The two-time reigning champions Warriors were dethroned by the Raptors on Thursday following a 114-110 defeat in Game 6 at Oracle Arena. Already missing star Kevin Durant after he ruptured his Achilles in Game 5, Klay Thompson went down with a knee injury as the Raptors went on to seal their first NBA title thanks to a 4-2 series win. It snapped Golden State’s domination after five successive Finals but Kerr was in awe of his team postgame in the Bay Area....

Golden State is between an 8.5- and 9-point favorite for Sunday night’s contest, with a total between 195.5 and 196. Check The Linemakers on Sporting News’ odds page for updated Game 5 lines from Las Vegas. AccuScore has the Warriors as 77.5 percent favorites to win Game 5 outright, which translates into money-line odds of about -345. The best money-line on Golden State available in Vegas as of 2:15 p....

After the Celtics overturned an early deficit to eventually head into the final frame down by just one point, the Warriors held their nerve down the stretch to secure a 104-94 win in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. MORE: Kerr to Warriors after Game 5 - “We’re going to finish this in Boston” While Stephen Curry had an off night shooting the ball, Andrew Wiggins stepped in to fill the void on the offensive end, scoring 26 points....

Now, another prized reinforcement might soon be joining them. MORE: The 23 best available free agents According to ESPN.com, the 76ers will make a “strong push” to sign Harrison Barnes when free agency opens Friday. Barnes was named to the U.S. Olympic team this week, and he has been to the NBA Finals each of the last two seasons. DEVENEY: Durant’s decision will chart future of entire NBA Because Barnes is a restricted free agent, the Warriors have the ability to match any offer sheet from another team....

On Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors in Kenosha said they would not file criminal charges against Rusten Sheskey, a white officer who shot Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back during an Aug. 23 confrontation that was caught on video. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said Tuesday that none of the other officers at the scene—Brittany Meronek and Vincent Arenas—will be charged, either. There was a video of the shooting that surfaced....

Yes, that Steve Nash, the perennial NBA All-Pro guard and future hall of famer who retired from the NBA in March after 18 seasons. MORE: History’s best two-sport athletes | Phoenix Suns’ all-time team According to the New York Daily News, the 41-year-old Nash practiced this week with the New York Cosmos B Team of the National Premier Soccer League. The paper reported he might play Sunday in a match in Uniondale, N....

Given the pace of events, much could change by the end of Round 1. But for now, here’s how the 2017 NBA Draft is shaping up. NBA TRADE RUMORS: Tracking all the latest moves ahead of the NBA Draft NBA Mock Draft 2017 Philadelphia (from Boston via Brooklyn) — Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington. It might have been interesting to see how the Celtics worked Fultz into a lineup that finished with the top seed in the East last season, but the Sixers are a more natural fit for a backcourt player with his skills....

Just days away from the big night, reports are flying around about the number of potential trades that could shake up the draft. While the first three picks appear to be locked in with Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr., Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero going to the Magic, Thunder and Rockets, respectively, all signs point to chaos with the Kings at the No. 4 pick. Will Sacramento stand pat and take Purdue star Jaden Ivey?...

James’ decision could come down to which franchise gives him the best chance to win another title, or he could focus on comfort and lifestyle as he eventually approaches retirement. There’s no clear favorite for LeBron’s services, and just about anything is on the table this summer. That’s why several NBA players are already recruiting the Cavs star on social media. Joel Embiid, 76ers ​If the Sixers want to bring James to Philly, hiring his old general manager might not be a bad idea....