The Boston Celtics made one of the most surprising trades of the NBA offsesason. Landing Kristaps Porzingis seemed like a deal they should’ve done any day of the week, but giving up Marcus Smart was a major blow.



The former lottery pick had become a mainstay at the TD Garden. He survived countless trade rumors and was the heart and soul of the team since he joined the organization.



That’s why Brad Stevens took some time to explain why he sent him to the Memphis Grizzlies, talking about how having Porzingis there will give their frontcourt much more versatility.



<h2>Brad Stevens Explains Why He Traded For Kristaps Porzingis</h2>



“The part that was very obvious was he’s 7-foot-3. He can play the 5 and the 4 and he can play with any of our 5’s and 4’s which I think is important,” Stevens explained. “If you bring in someone who is just a center, it’s hard to play them and Rob together.”



“But if you bring in someone with the skills that Kristaps has, that has the skillset that Al has, you can mix and match a little bit,” he continued. “You can stay bigger longer. That’s something we couldn’t do as much last year with our smaller groups because a lot of our best players were guards.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/marcus-smart-takes-a-shot-at-the-celtics-20230703-BUS-22379.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230703_BUS_22379_marcus-smart.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="New Memphis Grizzlies star Marcus Smart didn&apos;t appreciate the way the Boston Celtics handled his trade situation.
" title="Marcus Smart takes a shot at the Celtics" publication_id="BUS#20230703#BUS#22379"></div>


Porzingis is obvilusly more gifted than Smart on the offensive end of the floor, but he’s injury-prone, and not the leader Smart is. This could either be the move that takes them over the hump or a huge mistake, and only time will tell.

Brad Stevens explains why Celtics traded Marcus Smart

Brad Stevens explains why Celtics traded Marcus Smart - Bolavip US

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Ever since Steve Ballmer took over the Los Angeles Clippers, they became one of the teams to beat in the NBA. Signing Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George put the league on notice.



But as we’ve seen countless times, stacking talent isn’t enough to get the job done in this league. The players actually need to be healthy if they intend to win in the postseason.



That’s why Tyronn Lue was so satisfied to let it be known that his star duo of players is going to be 100% healthy and ready to go when training camp starts soon.



<h2>Kawhi Leonard And Paul George Will Be Ready For Training Camp</h2>



“We expect him [Kawhi] to be ready by training camp,” Lue said of Leonard on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “He will be 100 percent by the time training camp hits and we just gotta be ready for when training camp hits with our medical staff, we just make sure we are doing the right things as far as practices and games and making sure the minutes are right.”



“The same thing with PG [Paul George]. When those two guys play, we’re an amazing team,” added Lue.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/james-hardens-trade-to-clippers-could-be-imminent-20230828-BUS-53450.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230828_BUS_53450_James-Harden-8.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="As much as the Philadelphia 76ers want to keep him, James Harden&apos;s trade to the Los Angeles Clippers could be imminent.
" title="James Harden&apos;s trade to Clippers could be imminent" publication_id="BUS#20230828#BUS#53450"></div>


The Clippers should be one of the powerhouses in the Western Conference if they manage to keep their stars healthy. Of course, we’ll have to see them actually stay on the floor in the playoffs before we believe it.

Tyronn Lue gives key injury update on Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Paul George

Tyronn Lue gives key injury update on Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Paul George - Bolavip US

James Harden’s tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers has been somewhat solid. He led the NBA in assists last season, but — as per usual — he fell short of the goal in the playoffs.



Harden now wants to leave the City of Brotherly Love, which makes no sense from a basketball standpoint, considering he’s playing side by side with the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid.



However, according to NBA analyst Rachel Nichols, his desire to leave is motivated by his belief in his skills, as he still feels like the MVP candidate he wasdduring his days with the Houston Rockets.



<h2>James Harden Wants To Be A Go-To Guy Again</h2>



“He still thinks of himself as the guy from that Game 1 or the guy from that Game 4 (against the Boston Celtics). He thinks he should be leading the show,“ Nichols said on Undisputed.



“The reason why he wanted out of Philadelphia in the first place is that it’s the Joel Embiid show right now. He wants a different role,” the analyst added.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/james-hardens-trade-to-clippers-could-be-imminent-20230828-BUS-53450.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230828_BUS_53450_James-Harden-8.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="As much as the Philadelphia 76ers want to keep him, James Harden&apos;s trade to the Los Angeles Clippers could be imminent.
" title="James Harden&apos;s trade to Clippers could be imminent" publication_id="BUS#20230828#BUS#53450"></div>


Ironically, Harden reportedly wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, and there’s simply no way he’s going to be the alpha dog there with Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George also on the team.

James Harden's shocking actual reason to want out of Philadelphia

James Harden's shocking actual reason to want out of Philadelphia - Bolavip US

Historically, the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t found much trouble getting the best players in the NBA. The shiny lights of Hollywood and the team’s history of success has lured superstars like LeBron James to Southern California.



That’s why as crazy as it may sound at first, one can never rule out the Lakers whenever a big-time player from a small-market team enters the trade block or is rumored to be available.



According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, that could be the case with Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, stating that GM Rob Pelinka has had him on his radar for quite a while now.



<h2>NBA Rumors: Lakers Keeping Tabs On Trae Young</h2>



“The Lakers have pursued other star guards, including Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, and Kyrie Irving,” reported Buha. “Even into this summer, there were some in the organization, including James, who still had an interest in pursuing Irving, though the front office ultimately prioritized continuity.”



“Trae Young has long been on Los Angeles’ radar, depending on how his situation unfolds in Atlanta,” the report continued.



Young has been tangled up in multiple rumors and narratives already, and he’s also represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, just like LeBron, Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, and even Cam Reddish.



<h2>How Many Years Does Trae Young Have Left In His Contract?</h2>


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-lakers-have-two-trade-targets-in-case-dangelo-russell-struggles-20230830-BUS-54579.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230830_BUS_54579_DAngelo-Russell-4.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="As much as the Los Angeles Lakers seem to like D&apos;Angelo Russell, they already have a plan B for him.
" title="NBA Rumors: Lakers have two trade targets in case D&apos;Angelo Russell struggles" publication_id="BUS#20230830#BUS#54579"></div>


Young is entering the second season of a fully guaranteed, $215,159,700 five-year max contract extension. He has an early termination option for the 2026-27 season worth $48,967,380, or he could become an unrestricted free agent after the 2027-28 season.

NBA Rumors: Lakers could realistically go after Trae Young

NBA Rumors: Lakers could realistically go after Trae Young - Bolavip US

Ever since he made it to the<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> NBA,</a> <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/klay-thompson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Klay Thompson</a> has become an integral part of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors’ </a>success. Simply put, there is no dynasty without his shooting and defense.



Thompson’s rise to stardom granted him plenty of praise and worldwide attention, up to the point where he even represented Team USA at the Olympics and the FIBA World Cup.



However, as successful as his tenure with the national team has been, he recently admitted he could emulate what <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phoenix Suns</a>‘ veteran Eric Gordon did and switch to play for the Bahamas, his father’s homeland.



<h2>Klay Thompson Is Seriously Considering Playing For The Bahamas</h2>



FIBA recently allowed players to switch teams if the player is joining a developing national team program and the move is considered “in the best interest of basketball.”



“When that time comes, I’ll give it serious consideration just because of what the Bahamas has meant to the Thompson family, especially my father,” Thompson said.



“He never had a chance to play for the national team just because they didn’t. They just didn’t have the chance back in the’ 70s or the ’80s,” he continued. “And now my brother’s coaching with them is also very cool. But right now, I’m really focused on the season. And when that time comes next summer, I’ll give it consideration.”



“I couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished the past few weeks, especially Chris DeMarco, but also Buddy Hield, DeAndre Ayton, Eric Gordon and the rest of the Bahamians,” Thompson said. “Those guys had the biggest win in our country’s history as far as beating Argentina twice on their home soil. Not an easy task. Argentina is one of the best teams in the world. And it’s just gonna do wonders for the country.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/warriors-could-extend-klay-thompson-but-theres-a-catch-20230904-BUS-57004.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230904_BUS_57004_Klay-Thompson-1.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Klay Thompson has spent his entire career with the Golden State Warriors, and Joe Lacob doesn&apos;t want that to change.
" title="Warriors could extend Klay Thompson, but there&apos;s a catch" publication_id="BUS#20230904#BUS#57004"></div>


His brother Mychel is an assistant coach there, and his father Mychal is arguably the greatest player to come from the Bahamas. So don’t be shocked to see Klay joining the likes of Kai Jones, Deandre Ayton, and Buddy Hield in the upcoming Olympics.

Warriors Klay Thompson admits he's seriously considering switching teams

Warriors Klay Thompson admits he's seriously considering switching teams - Bolavip US

Ste<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phen Curry </a>and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James </a>have been tangled up since the moment they came into this world. As crazy as it may seem, both <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> superstars were actually born in the very same hospital.



James was a confessed fan of Curry’s game during his days at Davidson, and they went on to become sworn enemies when they faced each other in the NBA Finals three years in a row.



But even though James and the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> have been on opposite sides of the court more often than not, Curry wants to emulate James in one key aspect: Longevity.



<h2>Stephen Curry Wants To Play As Many Years As LeBron</h2>



“It’s somewhere in that [LeBron James] range, but I never imagined myself being the forty-plus dude trying to hold on for dear life,” Steph told Gilbert Arenas. “But who knows what my body will look like or feel like at that point? I got three years left on my deal, including at least that, and then kind of figure it out from there.”



“I am blessed to know and hope that no matter how many years I do play, playing for one franchise and being a part of that group of the legends that have accomplished that feat and won at the highest level and all that,” continued Steph. “I don’t ever take that for granted either.”



“You got the Kobe [Bryant]’s, the Magic [Johnson]’s, Dirk [Nowitzki], Tim Duncan, those guys helped establish a culture, won, did it with a lot of different roster combinations and different parts in their career,” he added. “I don’t put too much of a timeline outside of my contract now just knowing that will give me 38 and 17 years in the league. I ain’t skipping out to go play golf just yet.”



<h2>How Many Years Does Curry Have Left In His Contract?</h2>


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-warriors-could-still-trade-chris-paul-20230831-BUS-55066.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230831_BUS_55066_Chris-Paul-3.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Chris Paul is a Warrior now, but he might not be one by the end of the season.
" title="NBA Rumors: Warriors could still trade Chris Paul" publication_id="BUS#20230831#BUS#55066"></div>


Curry is entering the second year of a fully guaranteed four-year contract extension worth $215,353,664. He can become a free agent at age 37 after the 2025-26 season.

Warriors' Stephen Curry has an eye-opening take on LeBron James

Warriors' Stephen Curry has an eye-opening take on LeBron James - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a> made the obvious choice and selected <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/victor-wembanyama">Victor Wembanyama</a> with the first overall pick in the 2023 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> Draft. Paul George, however, does not see him as favorite to win Rookie of the Year in 2024.



In a recent episode of his Podcast P, the Los Angeles Clippers star has shown praise for the Spurs prospect. It makes sense, since his college performances suggest we have a generational talent before our eyes.



However, when it comes to the ROTY conversation, George believes Chet Holmgren leads the race. The second overall pick in 2022 missed last season due to injury, but now looks ready to prove his worth.



<h2>Paul George believes Chet Holmgren, not Victor Wembanyama will win ROTY</h2>



“It’s a lot of good talent,” George said on a recent episode of Podcast P. “I mean it’s going to come down to who’s gonna play more. I’m going to go with Chet. I think he is gonna play a ton. They’re gonna be a winning team.



“The way they play, it’s gonna be fun to watch. So I think he’s gonna get a lot of coverage. He plays both ends, he blocks shots, he’s a little bit more polished, you know, further along, I think, than Wemby is.



“Wemby’s gonna have a little learning curve. I know Chet didn’t play much due to the injury his rookie year, but being in the league, seeing the game up close for a year is gonna give him that much more of a head start. I think Chet’s going to be the Rookie of the Year.”



<h2>Who was the last ROTY winner?</h2>



Paolo Banchero is the last player to win Rookie of the Year Award, receiving the accolade in the 2022-23 NBA season.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-rumors-spurs-could-pair-victor-wembanyama-with-an-all-star-20230806-BUS-42099.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230806_BUS_42099_Victor-Wembanyama-of-the-Spurs-during-his-Summer-League-debut.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="The San Antonio Spurs have high expectations on Victor Wembanyama, and they could make an attempt to land a veteran star to help the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
" title="NBA Rumors: Spurs could pair Victor Wembanyama with an All-Star" publication_id="BUS#20230806#BUS#42099"></div>


<h2>How old is Victor Wembanyama?</h2>



Born on January 4, 2004 in Nanterre, France, Victor Wembanyama is entering the NBA with 19 years of age.

It's not Wembanyama: Paul George surprisingly reveals his favorite to win ROTY

It's not Wembanyama: Paul George reveals his favorite to win ROTY - Bolavip US

It's not Victor Wembanyama: Paul George reveals his favorite to win ROTY

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a>‘ championship window won’t last forever, which is why the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> want to put The King in a position to succeed in the 2023-24 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> season.



Kyrie Irving has been heavily linked with a potential reunion with LeBron in LA, but it looks like he’s staying in Dallas. However, Rob Pelinka still found ways to improve the roster.



The purple and gold brought back key contributors from last season and also brought new faces in an attempt to have a deep playoff run in 2024. Even so, the Lakers seem to have another star on their radar.



<h2>Lakers reportedly target Trae Young</h2>



(Via Jovan Buha of The Athletic)



“The Lakers have pursued other star guards, including Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry, and Kyrie Irving. Even into this summer, there were some in the organization, including James, who still had an interest in pursuing Irving, though the front office ultimately prioritized continuity. Trae Young has long been on Los Angeles’ radar, depending on how his situation unfolds in Atlanta.“



<h2>When was the last time the Lakers won an NBA championship?</h2>



The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t won an NBA championship since the 2019-20 season, when they won the Finals in the Orlando bubble.



<h2>When does LeBron James’ contract expire?</h2>



LeBron James signed a two-year contract through 2025, though he will have a player option for the 2024-25 season.

Lakers eye surprising target to help LeBron James

NBA Rumors: Lakers eye alternative target to Kyrie Irving to help LeBron James - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Lakers eye alternative target to Kyrie Irving to help LeBron James

It’s not a secret that multiple <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> players have always had a taste for marijuana. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> has advocated for its use, and the word around the league is that <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> coach Steve Kerr rolls the best blunts.



The league isn’t even testing for pot anymore. The new CBA also allows active players to invest in and endorse cannabis-related products, just as it does with other endeavors.



However,<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dallas-mavericks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Dallas Mavericks</a> owner Mark Cuban isn’t so fond of his players getting high. In a recent interview, he openly said that he’s actually traded some players because of weed.



<h2>Mark Cuban Has Traded Players For Smoking Too Much Pot</h2>



“It’s a team. No lie, I’ve traded guys because they smoke too much,” Cuban admitted on the Pat Bev podcast. “If you got some young dudes on there that are just figuring it out, smoke some, but don’t know what the team culture is and you got one dude that’s just, you know, if you walk down the hall of the hotel and you know he’s on that floor no doubt about it.”



“All of a sudden these other kids pick up on it and you see them red-eyed coming to practice all of a sudden,” he added. “You don’t want them going down that road. Everybody smokes right, it’s not about that. But there’s smoking, there’s how powerful the sh*t you’re doing is, and then there’s how much you do. If you get past that level where you gotta look at the bigger picture, that’s just not the culture.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/lakers-legend-throws-shade-at-kyrie-irving-and-luka-doncics-dallas-mavericks-20230830-BUS-54651.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230830_BUS_54651_Kyrie-Irving-and-Luka-Doncic.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="They&apos;re most definitely elite on their own, but can Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving thrive together?
" title="Lakers legend throws shade at Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic&apos;s Dallas Mavericks" publication_id="BUS#20230830#BUS#54651"></div>


So, now you know, folks. If you want to try out for the Dallas Mavericks or apply for a job at one of Mark Cuban’s many companies, you better stay away from the devil’s lettuce.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban admits he trades players who smoke too much weed

Mavs owner Mark Cuban admits he trades players who smoke too much weed - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ben-simmons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ben Simmons</a> looked like a lock to be the next <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> superstar when the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> took him with the first-overall pick, even if his jump shot wasn’t perfect.



We’ve seen him knocking down mid-range and long-range shots multiple times in scrimmages, open runs, and workouts, but that has never translated into the actual NBA court.



And according to former All-Star Gilbert Arenas, it might all have to do with depth perception. Apparently, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/brooklyn-nets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a> star actually has pretty solid shooting mechanics.



<h2>Gilbert Arenas Blames Depth Perception For Ben Simmons’ Shooting Woes</h2>



“I’ve seen Ben Simmons workout probably 10, 12 times,” Arenas said on Gil’s Arena. “When he’s shooting, perfect form. It might be perception.”



“When he gets on the NBA court, it’s bigger than a practice court. You can see the wall, you can see how far it is. I think when he steps on the NBA court, his depth perception is off,” he added.



<h2>Has Ben Simmons Ever Made A Three?</h2>


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/ben-simmons-breaks-the-silence-on-comeback-season-20230830-BUS-54772.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230830_BUS_54772_Ben-Simmons-2.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons wants to prove himself again.
" title="Ben Simmons breaks the silence on comeback season" publication_id="BUS#20230830#BUS#54772"></div>


Yes, Simmons has made five three-pointers in his career. He’s attempted 36 and has failed to make one in three of his five seasons in the league. He averages 0.1 three-point attempts and shoots 13.8% from beyond the arc.

All-Star reveals shocking reason why Ben Simmons can't shoot

All-Star reveals shocking reason why Ben Simmons can't shoot - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/minnesota%C2%A0timberwolves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> never hesitated to get <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-edwards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Edwards</a> with the first overall pick of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> Draft. And why would they? His upside as a scorer was simply off the charts.



His defense, however, raised some doubts. He had the physical tools to become a good defender, with a body and traits that resembled Dwyane Wade’s. But he didn’t look like the kind of guy who was interested in trying.



That’s no longer the case. Edwards isn’t an elite defender by any means, but he’s putting in a lot of work on that end of the floor, and those efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors</a> and Team USA coach Steve Kerr.



<h2>Steve Kerr Raves About Anthony Edwards’ Defense</h2>



“We feel like we always have the best defensive guards in the tournament, regardless of whether it’s this year or last year or the year before,” the Warriors coach said.



“This guy [Anthony Edwards] is right up there at the top. The pressure he puts on the ball, the way he stays in front, it really can confuse a defense and take them out of their stuff,” he added.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/anthony-edwards-clears-the-air-on-his-beef-with-steve-kerr-20230825-BUS-52522.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230825_BUS_52522_Anthony-Edwards-1.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Despite all the rumors, it seems like it&apos;s all good between Steve Kerr and Anthony Edwards.
" title="Anthony Edwards clears the air on his beef with Steve Kerr" publication_id="BUS#20230825#BUS#52522"></div>


Edwards continues to work on his defense, and taking pride in guarding the rivals’ best scorer in this tournament will do wonders for his game. Don’t look now, but he might be next in the long list of NBA superstars.

Steve Kerr makes shocking revelation about Anthony Edwards

Steve Kerr makes shocking revelation about Anthony Edwards - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> have done a great job of putting together a deep and talented team. As great as<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> LeBron James</a> is, he cannot win an<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> NBA</a> championship on his own.



James is far beyond his prime, and while this version of himself is still better than 75% of the players in the league, but he’s not getting any younger. Even so, he recently claimed that he doesn’t get tired and can still ball out at a high level.



That’s why ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith went on record to call him a liar, stating that it’s obvious that he’s exhausted. Even so, he didn’t blame him for that, and instead challenged<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/anthony-davis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Anthony Davis</a> to help him out.



<h2>Stephen A. Smith Rips Anthony Davis Over LeBron James’ Comments</h2>



“He’s lying,” Smith said on First Take. “He has gotten tired, but that’s okay. LeBron James, of all the things that make him an extraordinary role model, the greatest thing to me is his conditioning and his commitment to being in shape. It was a travesty that this man, in his 20th season, was in better shape than most of the league last year, including his teammate Anthony Davis.”



“When I think about LeBron in shape, the first name that comes to mind is Anthony Davis,” he continued. “This man vouched for you, he put his name on the line for you, but he can’t score 40 points in one game and 11 in another.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">"He&apos;s lying. He has gotten tired… It was a travesty that this man, in his 20th season, was in better shape than most of the league last year, including his teammate Anthony Davis." Stephen A. Smith on LeBron James&apos; &apos;I don&apos;t get tired&apos; comment<a href="https://t.co/2YA8Optuz9">pic.twitter.com/2YA8Optuz9</a> <a href="https://t.co/cvUcPtbLsF">https://t.co/cvUcPtbLsF</a>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1696918110555562142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/former-player-shares-the-reason-why-lebron-james-scoring-record-will-hold-on-forever-20230830-BUS-54620.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230830_BUS_54620_LeBron-James-5.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Regardless of how many talented players are in today&apos;s NBA, Byron Scott doesn&apos;t see anyone taking down LeBron James&apos; scoring record.
" title="Former player shares the reason why LeBron James&apos; scoring record will hold on forever" publication_id="BUS#20230830#BUS#54620"></div>


Smith is right on point there. No team should have to count on a 39-year-old to go the distance, and Davis has failed to be the franchise stalwart the Lakers hoped he’d be. It’s finally time he takes over.

Stephen A. Smith calls LeBron James a liar

Stephen A. Smith calls LeBron James a liar - Bolavip US

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/milwaukee-bucks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milwaukee Bucks</a> cannot rest on their laurels right now. They need to do everything in their power to convince <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/giannis-antetokounmpo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> that he needs to stay there and pursue another <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> championship.



The Greek Freak recently made all the headlines for stating that he doesn’t plan to sign a contract extension with the Bucks unless he’s convinced they’re all committed.



With that in mind, multiple teams have emerged as potential destinations for the former Defensive Player of the Year. Notably, that includes one of their divisional rivals, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/chicago-bulls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chicago Bulls.</a>



<h2>Bulls Could Trade For Giannis Antetokounmpo</h2>



“I believe that’s exactly what the Bulls are positioning themselves to do, with all eyes on Giannis Antetokounmpo in the summer of 2025,” Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic said. “If such a plan comes together, we’ll suddenly look at the Bulls front office and their continuity plan a whole lot differently.”



“By keeping their failed core together and trumpeting continuity, the Bulls aren’t just remaining competitive in the short term. They’ve also maintained salaries large enough and players talented enough to warrant a seat at the table if the day comes that Antetokounmpo is ready to branch out from Milwaukee,” concluded the report.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/giannis-antetokounmpo-could-be-traded-but-not-to-lakers-or-knicks-says-executive-20230830-BUS-54497.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230830_BUS_54497_Giannis-Antetokounmpo-2.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="As possible as a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade is right now, he may never join a big market team, claims executive.
" title="Giannis Antetokounmpo could be traded but not to Lakers or Knicks, says executive" publication_id="BUS#20230830#BUS#54497"></div>


Of course, this is all assuming Giannis is, in fact, looking to get out of Wisconsin. And while trading him to a divisional rival might not be orthodox, the Bulls could certainly be a strong suitor.

NBA Rumors: Bulls are a realistic destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo

NBA Rumors: Bulls are a realistic destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo - Bolavip US

Three years ago, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/Austin-Reaves-profile-Age-height-college-parents-girlfriend-and-nationality-20230416-0039.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Austin Reaves</a> wasn’t even sure if he would make it to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a>. Now, he’s the starting shooting guard for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> and gets to play with LeBron James.



Reaves has worked his way up the pecking order. His work ethic, confidence, and determination to get better every single day have made him a fan favorite in Southern California.



But as good as his season was, he was still shocked to see that Grant Hill called him to join <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden State Warriors’</a> coach Steve Kerr and represent Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.



<h2>Austin Reaves Was Shocked Team USA Wanted Him</h2>



(Via Lakers Daily)



“He was like, ‘You’re not going to believe this,&apos;” Reaves told the Southern California News Group over the phone this week.



The message: Grant Hill, the managing director of the USA Basketball men’s national team, reached out to offer Reaves a spot on the 12-player Team USA roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the U.S. will kick off with a first-round matchup against New Zealand on Saturday (5:40 a.m. PT) in the Philippines.



“I was just kind of shocked [at] the moment,” Reaves said. “I didn’t see it coming. I was confident in what I could do basketball-wise but it was something kind of caught me off-guard.”


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/austin-reaves-is-already-recruiting-stars-team-usa-stars-to-join-lakers-20230823-BUS-51011.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230823_BUS_51011_Austin-Reaves-3.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="It&apos;s still too early, but Austin Reaves is already doing his homework for the Los Angeles Lakers.
" title="Austin Reaves is already recruiting Team USA stars to join Lakers" publication_id="BUS#20230823#BUS#51011"></div>


Reaves is quite down to Earth and he’s still soaking in all this new-found fame. But judging by the way we’ve seen him in the World Cup, that hasn’t taken a toll on his game whatsoever.

Austin Reaves had an epic reaction to Team USA selection

Austin Reaves had an epic reaction to Team USA selection - Bolavip US

The 2023-24 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> season is still months away from us, but for many reasons, a number of teams and players are already looking forward to it. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ben-simmons">Ben Simmons</a>, for instance, can’t wait to return to the floor with the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/brooklyn-nets">Brooklyn Nets</a>.



The Australian’s performance have been on decline in the last couple of seasons, which is why he’s going into the new year hoping to get back to his best. Back in the day, Simons made the All-Star game on three occasions.



Nothing has been the same for him since the moment he decided to leave the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers">Philadelphia 76ers</a>, where he went through very difficult months before finally being traded. Even so, Simmons has great memories of his time in the City of Brotherly Love, which would be his favorite landing spot in a hypothetical trade.



<h2>Ben Simmons says 76ers would be his preferred trade destination</h2>



“I had a lot of fun there. It was time for me to go. When I did leave, it was good timing,” Simmons told Marc Spears of Andscape about his time in Philadelphia. “Obviously, the injury and everything that was going on didn’t help. But I think it gave me a chance to really appreciate it.



“I’ll always have love for Philly. People always ask me like, ‘If you were to get traded again where you want it to be?’ I always say, ‘Just Philly. Philly is a second home to me.’ And in time, you learn and grow as people. I don’t really have anything bad to say about Philly. It was a crazy situation at the end, but it is what it is.”



<h2>When did Ben Simmons get drafted?</h2>



Ben Simmons was selected with the first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nets-teammate-makes-bold-admission-about-ben-simmons-20230814-BUS-46164.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230814_BUS_46164_Ben-Simmons.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="The 2023-24 season might give us the best version of Ben Simmons, at least the best we&apos;ve seen in quite a while.
" title="Nets teammate makes bold admission about Ben Simmons" publication_id="BUS#20230814#BUS#46164"></div>


<h2>What’s Ben Simmons’ contract?</h2>



Ben Simmons is in the fourth season of a five-year, $177 million contract.

Ben Simmons' shocking favorite landing spot if Nets trade him

NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons reveals favorite landing spot if Nets trade him - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Ben Simmons reveals favorite landing spot if Nets trade him

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