NBA news: Anthony Davis Lakers TWIST, LeBron James on Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard warning
NBA NEWS - Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard dominate the latest rumours and gossip coming out of the league.
LA Lakers slammed by NBA pundit for trade speculations
Anthony Davis to Lakers twist
The Los Angeles Lakers are Anthony Davis’ preferred landing spot, despite the New Orleans Pelicans big man insisting he could join the Boston Celtics.
Davis, who has requested a trade, almost joined the Lakers before the deadline, however, the Pelicans refused to agree a deal.
It was claimed the 25-year-old has a four-team list of possible landing spots, but Boston didn’t make the cut.
Davis rejected those claims this weekend, insisting he could join the Celtics. However, The Athletic's Shams Charania says that isn’t quite true and the Lakers are still the No 1 choice for Davis.
I think I've always loved Kyrie, from before I met him, until when I became his team-mate, to even now
"I'm told he still has a four-team list of the Lakers, Knicks, Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks," Charania said on NBA TV.
"There are a couple other teams that he would consider as well. The Celtics, I'm told, are still not one of his preferred long-term destinations.
"His top preference has been the Lakers. That's been the top destination for him, but that's why he's had to open it up.
"Another interesting thing is his agent, Rich Paul, and Danny Ferry also have a longstanding relationship when LeBron James played in Cleveland and Danny Ferry was the GM of that team. I think the communication is going to be a little better."
LeBron James talks Kyrie Irving
LeBron James has revealed he’s always loved Kyrie Irving amid claims the Boston Celtics point guard could reunite with The King at the Lakers.
The pair were team-mates in Cleveland, however, Irving requested a trade away from the Cavaliers as he didn’t want to play alongside James.
Irving has since called James to apologise, claiming he was naive - and the Lakers star is now full of love for the Celtics man.
"I think I've always loved Kyrie, from before I met him, until when I became his team-mate, to even now," James said.
NBA: Lebron James talks about his All-Star team
"So the phone call, more than for me, I think just to see his growth...
"It takes a real man and a real person - and a real person to understand who they are - to be able to call, or to do anything and be able to see their wrongdoings or believe they have some wrongdoings and then be able to come to grips with that and then be able to either apologise or say that, 'At that point and time, I thought I was ready for something, but I really wasn't.'
"I really don't want to talk about it too much, because it's not for everybody. I love Kyrie. I love everything about Kyrie."
James and Irving will start in the All-Star game on Sunday evening in Charlotte against Team Giannis.
Kawhi Leonard warning
Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry will leave if Kawhi Leonard becomes a free agent this summer, NBA insider Chris Haynes claims.
“The Raptors have always known that this was going to be a risk,” Haynes told Fox Sports Radio’s The Big Lead on Leonard, who has been tipped to join the Lakers or the Los Angeles Clippers.
“They felt that they had to make this move to get out of the boat they’ve been in for the last four or five years.
“I will say this, they already had a plan in place that if Kawhi did leave, they’re just going with the youth.
“I think that would be the end of Kyle Lowry’s time in Toronto. They’ve been fully prepared to go this route.
“Them acquiring Kawhi was a last resort to try to get themselves into championship contention. Right now, if not, they’ll go with the rebuild.”