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Defector

Ray Ratto

LeBron James speaks with Stephen Curry following a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors

It’s Time To Daydream About LeBron On The Warriors

Giri Nathan

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Amen Thompson #1 celebrates with Reed Sheppard #15 of the Houston Rockets as LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Rockets Put Selves In Fine Position For Gentleman’s Sweep

Patrick Redford

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LeBron James Still Has It

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City. This is the play in which he hurt his hamstring.

A Vengeful Deity Is Smiting The Lakers

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on March 21, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Luka Doncic And Goga Bitadze Debate Whether They Threatened To Fuck Each Other’s Family Members In A Second Language

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

I’m So Sorry To Tell You This But The Lakers Must Be Taken Seriously

Albert Burneko

I Will Never Forgive Trae Young For Surpassing Kobe Bryant’s Career High For Assists In A Game Eight Times

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Rich Paul talks with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Media Meltdowns

LeBron’s Agent Openly Suggests A Trade For The Lakers On His Podcast

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards against Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images)

LeBron James And The Lakers Benefit From The Duality Of Dillon Brooks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on December 01, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

LeBron James’s Scoring Streak Tells The Story

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket after being fouled by Utah Jazz forward Kyle Anderson (2) in the first half

LeBron James Embraces His Version Of An Old-Man Game

KINGS03E-C-03JUN02-SP-CG --- Kings's Vlade Divac, lays on the floor as he fouls out in the final minutes of regulation. The Kings lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the final seconds of overtime at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Ca. The Sacramento Kings played the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Ca., on Tuesday, May 28, 2002.

Podcasts

Were The 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals Really Fixed?

Samer Kalaf

Luka Doncic dunks the ball as a member of the Dallas Mavericks

Journalismism

Men’s Health Article Hallucinates Luka Doncic With A 42-Inch Vertical

Basketball: NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss victorious holding Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy with Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (L) and Bob McAdoo after winning game and series vs Boston Celtics at Boston Garden. Game 6.

With The Lakers Sale, The NBA’s Old Ownership Class Is Nearly Extinct

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Big Lakers Ambitions Squished By, Of All People, Rudy Gobert

JJ Redick Pushed The Panic Button And Lost Anyway

Los Angeles, CA - April 19: Minnesota Timberwolves bench reacts after a basket as Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the second half of a first round game one NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

The Lakers Have Bigger Problems Than Luka Doncic Can Fix

You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

The Bulls celebrate an incredible last-second win.

How About These Absurd Chicago Bulls?

ESPN: LeBron James, On ESPN, To ESPN: “ESPN.”

The Lakers Are Puking And Shitting At An Inopportune Moment

Celtics Bring Lakers Back Down To Earth

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts for the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)

JJ Redick Invented A New Way To Defend Nikola Jokic, And It’s Working

Tom Ley

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his 3-point basket to score his 50,002 NBA regular season and playoff career points during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.