NBA Analysis If you write about the NBA for a living, chances are you’ve typed some version of the following sentence before: The Los Angeles Lakers had a horribly disappointing 2021-22 season. Russell Westbrook’s fit alongside LeBron James was always questionable. It turned out to be a worst-case scenario. Anthony Davis’ season compounded issues. May 17

The Big Lead The Phoenix Suns' hopes for a repeat NBA Finals run spontaneously combusted last night, when they fell to pieces for all of Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks. It was a team failure. No one person can possibly be blamed for the performance. It takes a village to score only 27 points in two quarters. At home. During a win-or-go-home game. The ramifications for the loss will reveal themselves over the course of the next year, but the one we can already see involves center Deandre Ayton. Ayton did not receive a max extension offer from Phoenix last summer and decided to play out the final year of his contract. He was a critical piece for the 64-win team, averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game on 63 percent shooting from the floor while providing rock-solid rim protection. May 17

Larry Brown Sports John Wall did not play at all for the Houston Rockets this year, and he clearly is not in their future plans. The five-time All-Star is expected to land with a new team in the near future, and one Western Conference team has been mentioned as a potential suitor. May 17

NBA Analysis The Los Angeles Lakers could not have been more disappointing in 2021-22. It’s unclear whether there’s been a bigger letdown in the history of the NBA. This team rostered two recent MVP winners in LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. One could make the case that neither was even supposed to be their best player. May 16

Sportsnaut Julio Jones remains a free agent two months after being released by the Tennessee Titans. As training camp approaches, interest should pick up in the star wide receiver with Super Bowl contenders looking for another big weapon to help their quarterback. It shouldn’t be long before Jones finds a new home. The New Orleans Saints just signed Jarvis Landry and the Green Bay Packers added Sammy Watkins right before the NFL Draft. With Jones the top wideout on the market and veterans reporting for practices in a few weeks, the 33-year-old will want to begin developing chemistry with his new quarterback. May 16

Sportsnaut Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis oversees one of the most prominent teams in American sports, but recent allegations of troubling economic issues and retaliatory firings are now leading to scrutiny and questions about his future. Shortly after the Raiders fired interim team president Dan Ventrelle, the former long-time executive fired back against the organization. He accused the Raiders of firing him for reporting a hostile workplace conduct, alleging he was dismissed for alerting the NFL about troubling issues in Las Vegas. May 16

BroBible This NFL offseason has been filled with blockbuster trade after blockbuster trade. Early on we saw Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson traded. Davante Adams started a domino effect of wide receivers getting traded so they could get paid. May 13

NBA Analysis The offseason came much earlier than the Los Angeles Lakers were expecting. As we near the start of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, the Lakers are in full NBA offseason mode preparing for potential roster changes to get LeBron James more help. Last season, the major target was Russell Westbrook. He was acquired from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. May 13

Clutch Points Everyone knows by now that Phil Jackson has an influence within the Los Angeles Lakers organization. He is even reportedly involved in the team’s coaching search. Now, the power he holds within the team could be a source of problem for LeBron James and the whole franchise. May 12

NBA Analysis It’s becoming increasingly more apparent that the world has seen the last of the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert pairing. After yet another disappointing early exit in the NBA playoffs by the Utah Jazz, newly minted Executive Danny Ainge is poised to shake up the roster in a drastic way. Reportedly, one or both of the stars will demand that at least one of them be traded in the offseason. It’s up to Ainge to discern how to best proceed for the future of the franchise. Donovan Mitchell is the more surefire cornerstone, as he’s been the Jazz’s offensive engine since his rookie year. May 12

Bleacher Report We've arrived at a quiet stretch of the NFL offseason, with most notable free agents signed and the draft in the rearview mirror. The rumor mill may not be churning out much right now, but that certainly doesn't mean there won't be any trades prior to the start of the 2022 season. Several players are still ideal candidates to be dealt over the next few months. May 11

Bleacher Report We're at an interesting point in the 2022 NFL offseason when a second flurry of free-agent signings could transpire. Teams have needs that weren't filled during the draft, and several quality free agents remain unsigned. Plus, players signed now—after 4 p.m. ET on the Monday after the draft—won't count against next year's compensatory formula. It's a big reason the market slowed before the draft and could pick up again. May 09

CBS Sports Who doesn't love fearless predictions? Especially in the dog days of May, with the draft now a week ago and real football still months away? The prime free agents are already signed. We've seen more blockbuster deals than anyone could have anticipated. Rosters are well taking shape. We can start to think we know things about the 2022 season, right? Certainly, more information will be available next week when the schedules are revealed. It tends to be a significant factor, as it's not just who you play, but when you play them. But for these purposes I don't believe it would sway much. There are some things I am starting to believe – or talk myself into – and some hunches I am willing to play, and what better time than now to share them (and open myself up for ridicule and derision I the process!). May 09

Bleacher Report The 2022 NFL draft is over, and the bulk of free agency has also passed. While several terrific free agents remain unsigned—such as Jadeveon Clowney and Jarvis Landry—the big moves have been made. At this point in the offseason, positivity should reign supreme. Incoming rookies provide hope, while free-agent and trade acquisitions provide possibilities. Every team is undefeated and can dream of success in 2022. May 06

Bleacher Report NBA free agency is less than two months away, with plenty of big names potentially hitting the market. Unfortunately for fans of star players switching teams, it's unlikely many will actually go anywhere. Players like James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal, Deandre Ayton and others are already in comfortable situations, can make more money staying put and/or are restricted this summer. May 06