NBA Returns to China with Alibaba Partnership and Historic Macau Games 
Trump Draws Cheers at Ryder Cup as U.S. Trails Europe After Opening Day 
Native American Groups Slam Trump’s Call to Restore Redskins Name 
Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Big-Money College Athlete Payouts 
Trump Threatens Stadium Deal Over Washington Commanders Name 
What makes a good football coach? The reality behind the myths 
Trump’s U.S. Open Visit Delays Final, Fans Face Long Security Lines 
Trump Attends Super Bowl Amid Cheers, Boos, and Political Divide 
US Reviewing Visa Denial for Venezuelan Little League Team Barred from World Series 
‘The geezer game’ – a nearly 50-year-old pickup basketball game – reveals its secrets to longevity 
Trump Urges Hall of Fame Induction for Roger Clemens Amid Renewed Debate 
Australia’s major sports codes are considered not-for-profits – is it time for them to pay up? 
Trump to Host UFC Event at White House on His 80th Birthday 
LA28 Confirms Olympic Athletes Exempt from Trump’s Travel Ban 
Apple Eyes U.S. Formula 1 Broadcast Rights in Major Sports Streaming Push 
From Messi to Mika Häkkinen: how top athletes can slow down time 
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have failed to enter this year’s Playoffs, halting the 34-year-old’s eight-year presence in the post-season. There were several reasons why this is, with the lack of other marquee players the most glaring of them.
Now, it seems that LeBron James is looking to fix this problem even when the Playoffs has yet to include. As ESPN sportswriter Brian Windhorst would have it, James has apparently been in contact with Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, both of which are slated to become free agents this coming summer.
“From what I understand, [LeBron James] has already begun the recruiting process. I’ve heard he has had contact with Kawhi Leonard. I’ve heard he’s had contact with Jimmy Butler,” Windhorst said during a segment of “Pardon the Interruption.”
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving – another soon-to-be free agent – is also rumored to join the Lakers should the abovementioned stars refuse LeBron James’ offer. Irving isn’t expected to stay with the Boston Celtics due to his previous statements, as well as his performance during the team’s Playoff run.
Should he team up with LeBron James again, the Lakers’ chances of getting into the Playoff next year considerably increases. The problem here is ball distribution. Both James and Irving have shown that they have a penchant to run the ball rather than playing off it. This isn’t surprising since the former is an incredible passer and offensive threat, and the latter can easily dismantle a team’s defense in the paint.
But with the ball almost always on both their hands, Lakers coach Frank Vogel will need to find a system where other role players will be included in the offensive plays as frequent as possible. This game is still a team sport, after all. As for Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler, both have yet to respond to the rumors and it would be interesting to hear what they have to say at the possibility of playing with LeBron James.
