Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $100MM in the city of Inglewood, California this week, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com.
The investment was created as part of the city’s new arena development agreement, with the Clippers labeling it as the largest funding commitment for community programs related to a sports or entertainment venue in California.
“We’re close to a residential neighborhood and we are being very mindful,” Ballmer told ESPN in July about building a potential arena in Inglewood. “Investing well into the community, being a good citizen of the community. No homes need to get moved but we need to be a good neighbor.”
Ballmer’s proposal for a new Clippers arena, according to Youngmisuk, would include a corporate headquarters, team training facility, sports medicine clinic and much more.
“I want it to be beautiful,” Ballmer said. “But I want it to be about basketball. I want it to be comfortable. But I want it to be about basketball.”
There’s more today out of the Pacific Division:
- James Ham of NBC Sports Sacramento examines how Trevor Ariza could fit in a crowded Kings rotation this season. Ariza, a veteran 3-and-D forward, signed a two-year, $25MM deal to join the Kings in free agency this past summer.
- Mike Trudell of Lakers.com discusses several Lakers-related items in his mailbag, including the possibility of Alex Caruso starting at point guard this season. Caruso was better than Rajon Rondo while playing alongside LeBron James last season, though head coach Frank Vogel also has the option of testing Quinn Cook at starting point guard in training camp.
- Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com examines whether former All-Star Dwight Howard could help solve the Lakers‘ depth issues at the center position. Howard is expected to fill in the role that injured center DeMarcus Cousins was supposed to fill before tearing his ACL, likely playing back-up center behind JaVale McGee to start the season and controlling the team’s interior presence on defense.
No way Dwight is coming off the bench. He’s going to start and play 25-30 minutes per game. Despite all his haters, which I count myself as one of that group, he has never stopped putting up good numbers. He was great in Charlotte. On the court at least. Apparently not so great in the locker room… but dude can still ball.
You really sound like a hater
No way he plays anything close to 30 minutes per game, that’s just crazy. He’s almost 34 and those big numbers he put up in Charlotte were two seasons ago before he had all of his back problems (and surgery) last year. He might play 25 minutes per game tops, but I’m thinking he gets around 18-20 as the starting center.
First off he has to play 20 to 30. JaVale has asthma or something. He cant play that much. People forget about that.
Quinn cook will not be the starting point guard for the Lakers this year. He’s a nice complementary piece off the bench. Nothing more.
Lebron will be facilitate the offense. It doesn’t matter who the “PG” is. All they need from this spot is someone who can defend and shoot.
You’re right that’s true. He’s like the point forward. Maybe cook will play a few minutes because he can shoot a little bit. He’s still not going to start.
The only time Cook will be in the lineup is when he gets garbage time while his team is getting blown out by someone like the Rockets. He’s the 3rd string PG behind LBJ and Rondo. The rest of the rotation will be AD, Howard, Green, Bradley, Kuzma, McGee, KCP, and maybe Dudley. Cook will be on the 3rd team with Daniels and the other young guards.
Pistons should swap Snell and Thomas for Ariza.
Kennard Ariza Griffin and Drummond would be solid
Or Ariza for Courtney Lee and a second round. Having Doncic with Ariza and KP that’s a good trio, Ariza would be a good vet and be good on D.
Ariza should definitely be starting on a team trying to compete.
Lastly I know LeBron will run the offence but long term wise the Lakers need a PG and someone who can play with Brown, preferably someone still young to grow with AD and Kuzma.
If you think of PGs that could be available or teams with lots of PGs one player stands out to me as for who would be perfect for the Lakers. Derrick White.
He’s 25 and 6’4”, meaning he is still young but has good size. He’s a G League Champ, he’s just been playing with Kuz on team USA. His deal is for another 3 years at 2 mil. Last year he averaged 10, 4 and 5 with 1 steal and almost 1 block.
The Spurs have DeJonte Murray who is the future PG it has Mills as the back up and Vet, it also has Forbes who can cover point. Maybe a deal of either Quinn Cook or Avery Bradley and a first round pick gets it done, maybe you need to throw in 3 second rounders but I would get it done
Having a line up of White Green Bron Kuz and AD would be amazing for the Lakers. All good defenders, all capable shooters, all smart players. If they couldn’t get Shite maybe DSJ
I would much rather get White than either DSJ or Shite. Shite stinkes.
Yes the Spurs are deep at PG but the Lakers don’t have much to offer except Kuzma. That would be a good trade IMO but Kuz is valued more now. Salaries are about the same. If LAL did it now I bet they could recover a pick too. They would then need to make a small-for-big trade though for roster balance.
Pistons should swap Snell and Thomas for Ariza.
Kennard Ariza Griffin and Drummond would be solid
Or Ariza for Courtney Lee and a second round. Having Doncic with Ariza and KP that’s a good trio, Ariza would be a good vet and be good on D.
Ariza should definitely be starting on a team trying to compete.
Lastly I know LeBron will run the offence but long term wise the Lakers need a PG. If you think of PGs that could be available or teams with lots of PGs one player stands out, Derrick White.
He’s 25 and 6’4”, meaning he is still young but has good size. He’s a former G League Champ, he’s just been playing with Kuz on team USA. His deal is for another 3 years at 2 mil. Last year he averaged 10, 4 and 5 with 1 steal and almost 1 block.
The Spurs have DeJonte Murray who is the future and current PG with Mills backing him up. Maybe a deal of either Quinn Cook or Avery Bradley and a first round pick gets it done, maybe you need to throw in 3 second rounders but I would get it done. Having a line up of White Green Bron Kuz and AD would be amazing for the Lakers.