MORE FROM Joe Morgan

Lakers should view Rajon Rondo only as stopgap starter until Lonzo Ball is healthy

Lakers head coach Luke Walton would be wise to not allow the flashes of brilliance from Rajon Rondo to cloud his judgment. Lonzo Ball should be the team's starting point guard once he is back at 100 percent.

Joe Morgan

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NBA trade rumors: Clippers find themselves in tough position with Jimmy Butler available

Jimmy Butler reportedly sees the Clippers as a top option when it comes to a potential trade. Should Los Angeles make a deal right now or wait until Butler becomes a free agent?

Joe Morgan

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Lonzo Ball's new shot could be just what he needs to thrive next to LeBron James

Lonzo Ball must find a way to become an improved shooter, or the pairing with LeBron James won’t work. It seems that the Lakers point guard is getting the message.

Joe Morgan

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Two years after retirement, Kobe Bryant's legacy has never been more powerful

Kobe Bryant is perhaps the last of his kind. If so, our appreciation for him will continue to grow, and his shadow in LA will only loom larger.

Joe Morgan

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Clippers make it clear nothing will block path to Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers are sending a strong message: 2019 free agency is the focus, and they won't allow anything to jeopardize their chances, especially when it comes to a certain Raptors forward.

Joe Morgan

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No one will feel pressure of LeBron James' arrival quite like Lonzo Ball

Let’s hope Lonzo Ball and the Lakers enjoyed the lack of pressure last season. Because the signing of LeBron James marks the end of playtime in Los Angeles.

Joe Morgan

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Lakers set themselves up to be ultimate winner in Kawhi Leonard trade

The Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard in a blockbuster trade with the Spurs, but the Lakers know Leonard will be thinking of them once he hits free agency next summer.

Joe Morgan

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Each stop in LeBron James' career has added new element to his legacy

LeBron James quickly figured out how to use his status to find exactly what he wanted personally and professionally. So how does Los Angeles make sense as his latest landing spot?

Joe Morgan

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LeBron James' move to Lakers gives Celtics clear path to East domination

The Lakers should undoubtedly be happy about signing LeBron James, but they also happened to help out their greatest rival.

Joe Morgan

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DeMarcus Cousins signing looks great for Warriors, but terrible for NBA fans, product

Plenty of fans have struggled to enjoy watching the Warriors dominate the NBA. It's only going to get worse with DeMarcus Cousins on the roster.

Joe Morgan

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Time for Magic Johnson, Lakers to make their move

Magic Johnson and the Lakers have made their intentions clear. They can't miss their golden opportunity with big stars like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard available.

Joe Morgan

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Four key questions that will alter NBA landscape

Where will LeBron James land? Will the Spurs trade Kawhi Leonard this offseason? Nothing is set in stone ahead of what should be another wild NBA season.

Joe Morgan

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Kevin Durant's legacy will only become more complex with another title

Kevin Durant is going to add another championship ring to his resume. Will that ultimately change how we view the Warriors star down the road?

Joe Morgan

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How would another championship reshape Durant's legacy?

Kevin Durant is going to add another championship ring to his resume. Will that ultimately change how we view the Warriors star down the road?

Joe Morgan

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LeBron James was only constant in Cavs' season of chaos

LeBron James has already done what many thought was impossible. He single-handedly put a team on his back and willed it to a championship appearance.

Joe Morgan

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James only constant in Cavs' season of chaos

LeBron James has already done what many thought was impossible. He single-handedly put a team on his back and willed it to a championship appearance.

Joe Morgan

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The Warriors problem: Appreciating Golden State's greatness while missing true competition

While it is perfectly acceptable to appreciate the wonder that is Warriors basketball, it is also reasonable to bemoan the inevitability of Golden State winning another NBA title.

Joe Morgan

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Chris Paul's success with Rockets should shut down loyalty vs. rings debate

As we watch how far players like Chris Paul, LeBron James and Kevin Durant have come following their big decisions, it is hard to ignore that the initial anger and vitriol thrown at them has given way to respect and admiration.

Joe Morgan

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Chris Paul is just latest example of star player needing big move to reach big goals

As we watch how far players like Chris Paul, LeBron James and Kevin Durant have come following their big decisions, it is hard to ignore that the initial anger and vitriol thrown at them has given way to respect and admiration.

Joe Morgan

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NBA playoffs rookie breakdown: Evaluating performances of Donovan Mitchell, Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum

Even the youngsters are judged separately on their postseason performances. Let's take a closer look at how Ben Simmons, Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell have fared under the bright lights of the NBA playoffs.

Joe Morgan

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Celtics, 76ers waited patiently to take East crown — and their moment is here

The 76ers and Celtics have been building their rosters for years in the hopes that LeBron James and the Cavs would become vulnerable. The opportunity has arrived in these playoffs.

Joe Morgan

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Playoff Rajon Rondo has returned with the Pelicans, but that should come as no surprise

Everyone is now talking about the return of "Playoff Rondo," but why are we so shocked when he arrives? The Pelicans point guard has always proven that he can take his game to another level come playoff time.

Joe Morgan

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LeBron James, new-look Cavs finding open path to NBA Finals at perfect time

The Cavs are far from the level of dominance they've reached in past seasons, and in certain areas, they've gotten worse. But in a weakened East, it's hard to bet against LeBron James dragging this team to another NBA Finals.

Joe Morgan

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Can West playoff field challenge Rockets, Warriors? Examining each team's case

The Warriors and Rockets will have to navigate difficult roads in order to earn a trip to the NBA Finals, so let’s take a closer look at the teams hoping to ruin their championship dreams.

Joe Morgan

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LeBron James' decision will have immense impact on those Michael Jordan comparisons

Is winning a title with a third team the key to LeBron James surpassing Michael Jordan? The answer is complicated.

Joe Morgan

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Three things Lakers fans should be watching as productive season comes to close

Lakers fans need to keep an eye on the progress of their own team down the stretch — and the status of a certain star forward in Oklahoma City.

Joe Morgan

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NBA Rookie of the Year race: Battle between Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell heats up

It appeared Ben Simmons had the Rookie of the Year award locked up early, but a huge surge by Donovan Mitchell has made this season's race much more interesting.

Joe Morgan

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Lakers take home-run swing at trade deadline, open door for LeBron James, Paul George

It turns out the Lakers were not willing to wait another year. They have their eyes set on free agency this offseason — and on LeBron James and Paul George.

Joe Morgan

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Blake Griffin era ends with sense of regret as Clippers look toward uncertain future

Blake Griffin's years with the Clippers will be looked back on fondly, but there will always be the thought of what could have been.

Joe Morgan

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Doc Rivers on Clippers' injury-riddled season: 'This has been by far the most challenging year'

The recent surge by the Clippers and the team's ability to withstand a barrage of injuries brings up an interesting question: Is this the best coaching job of Doc Rivers' career?

Joe Morgan

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Clippers shouldn't hit trade market, enter tanking mode — at least not yet

Don't trade DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams just yet. Given their recent surge, the Clippers need to stay the course.

Joe Morgan

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Lakers stealing notes from Warriors' blueprint in hopes of building contender

When the Lakers hired coach Luke Walton, it wasn't simply because he was part of the LA family. The organization wanted him to take what he learned from the Warriors and apply it to this young Lakers squad.

Joe Morgan

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LeBron James joining Lakers? Three reasons why Cavs superstar won't be heading to LA

Is the current Lakers organization the optimal spot for LeBron James to check all of the boxes left on his list before he eventually walks away from the game? That’s doubtful.

Joe Morgan

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The good, the bad and the Balls: Evaluating progress of young Lakers

The incredibly young Lakers roster that Luke Walton is tasked with developing has shown flashes of potential while also displaying the maddening tendencies of a team trying to find its way.

Joe Morgan

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Blake Griffin injury serves as final nail in coffin for Clippers' ugly season

Blake Griffin. Patrick Beverley. Danilo Gallinari. Milos Teodosic. The Clippers have been devastated by injuries unlike any other team in the NBA, and there may be no recovering this season.

Joe Morgan

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Lonzo Ball's slow start for Lakers doesn't warrant any 'bust' talk

Lonzo Ball has struggled in his rookie season. There's no doubt about that. But let's calm down with using "bust" when it comes to the Lakers point guard.

Joe Morgan

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Blake Griffin helps Clippers move on from Chris Paul era, try to find joy once again

Chris Paul's departure may have helped, but Blake Griffin has a lot more to do with the much-needed change that has taken place in LA.

Joe Morgan

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