Los Angeles is going all out to get Kyrie Irving and Kobe Bryant is even getting involved. The 18-time All-Star is trying to recruit the guard to play for the Lakers, according to a report from Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher. Bucher said Tuesday on “The Herd.” Irving can become a free agent after this season if he declines his player option with the Celtics. Most reports indicate he will explore the free-agent market. In the meantime, ESPN reported Irving is “more open” to playing with the Lakers and LeBron James after he asked to be traded away from the Cavaliers and James in 2017. Irving said during the offseason he…

Warriors vs. Raptors: Schedule, time, TV channel Date Matchup Time (TV channel) May 30 Game 1 at Toronto 9 p.m. ET (ABC/SN1) June 2 Game 2 at Toronto 8 p.m. ET (ABC/TSN) June 5 Game 3 at Golden State 9 p.m. ET (ABC/SN1) June 7 Game 4 at Golden State 9 p.m. ET (ABC/TSN) June 10* Game 5 at Toronto 9 p.m. ET (ABC/SN1) June 13* Game 6 at Golden State 9 p.m. ET (ABC/TSN) June 16* Game 7 at Toronto 8 p.m. ET (ABC/SN1) (*if necessary) Warriors vs. Raptors: The backstory Even by today’s rumor-centric standards, there has never been a series that will end in June but be…

Rockets GM Daryl Morey, eager to get his team over the Golden State hump, is moving aggressively to improve the team’s roster “with all players and picks available in talks” with other NBA front offices, ESPN.com reported Wednesday, citing unidentified sources. Despite winning 118 games the past two regular seasons, the Rockets have lost in the conference final and conference semifinal to the Warriors in consecutive years. While ESPN’s report says it’s “(h)ard to imagine” that 2018 regular-season MVP Jame Harden would be available, it does say any of the rest of Houston’s roster under contract – “perhaps even Chris Paul” – could be dealt if the right offer comes…

As the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs reach their climax, the NHL’s free agent period begins in just over a month. Compared to previous offseasons, this summer has a deep crop of restricted free agent talent, some of whom could become targets for offer sheets. Between now and July 1, Sporting News will break down the top free agents around the league. Here’s a look at the top restricted free agents in the Western Conference’s Central Division. Mikko Rantanen – Colorado Avalanche The 22-year-old right winger emerged from linemate Nathan MacKinnon’s shadow as a scoring star in his own right. Rantanen could make more than MacKinnon’s team-leading annual average value of…

Another day, another wild story about the Lakers. Ever since Los Angeles signed LeBron James in free agency last summer, the franchise has been a constant source of drama. Curious roster moves, ugly trade rumors, information leaks, a chaotic front office, clueless ownership – it’s easy to get lost down LA’s rabbit hole of despair. MORE: Why did Rob Pelinka lie about Kobe Bryant meeting Heath Ledger? ESPN’s Baxter Holmes managed to put all of the pieces together in a terrific feature documenting the Lakers’ tumultuous 2018-19 season. While former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka played central roles in the dysfunction – with Johnson…

The 2019 NBA Finals will be filled with stars. The Warriors, when healthy, have arguably the best starting lineup of all-time while the Raptors have Kawhi Leonard, who has carried the team throughout the playoffs. Golden State will be trying to win its third straight championship and fourth title in five years. Toronto, on the other hand, is making the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Here’s a ranking of every player in 2019 NBA Finals: 1. Kawhi Leonard Leonard has been fantastic all season long and he has turned it up a notch recently. He’s scoring 31.2 points and grabbing 8.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs for…

Adrian Durham has blasted Unai Emery’s decision to start Chelsea legend Petr Cech in Wednesday night’s Europa League final – insisting it should ‘not happen’. Cech will make his final appearance for the Gunners against his former side in the first of two all-England European finals this week. Ahead of the clash in Baku, Cech questioned the mentality at the Emirates – insisting there’s ‘no pressure to do anything’. He said: “At Chelsea, even when we drew at home against a big team, it felt like a funeral in the dressing-room. It was so bad. It felt impossible that we didn’t win. “But then I came to Arsenal and as…

Click:Prototype machining Chelsea turned on the style to thrash Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in what is expected to be Eden Hazard’s final appearance for the club. Hazard, 28, was yet again at his majestic best as he converted from the penalty spot and finished off a slick attacking move to net the Blues’ third and fourth goals of the evening respectively. After a drab first half showing from both sides, Chelsea produced a rampant second-half display to blow away Unai Emery’s side. Former Gunner Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock after converting Emerson’s inviting cross from the left with a brilliant header. One soon became…

Eden Hazard admits he has probably played his final game for Chelsea after inspiring the club to Europa League glory. The Belgian, who looks set to join Real Madrid, struck twice in the 4-1 victory over Arsenal in Baku. And after the game, he finally confirmed what Chelsea fans had been dreading. “I think it’s a goodbye,” he told BT Sport. “But in football you never know. “My dream was to play in the Premier League. I think it’s time for a new challenge. “I’ve made my decision. Now it depends on the clubs. Both clubs. “You will know in the next few days.” Hazard was at his brilliant best…

Andy Carroll’s injury-plagued West Ham career will come to an end next month. The 30-year-old joined the Hammers in a £15million deal from Liverpool in 2013 – and his £90,000-a-week wages made him one of the club’s highest earners. Carroll played 14 times, managing only three Premier League starts, in his final season at the London Stadium. Meanwhile, Adrian, who arrived on a free transfer from Real Betis in 2013, will need to find a new club. The Spaniard made 150 appearances for West Ham, but lost his no.1 spot following the £7million signing of Lukasz Fabianski last summer. And former Manchester City star Samir Nasri departs after signing a…