Luka is a Laker, Fox leaves the Kings and more West Coast Sports News
30+ sports headlines from the Pacific Time zone
Luka is a Laker. In the middle of the weekend, the Lakers opened the NBA trade gates when they acquired Luka Doncic in a trade centered around Anthony Davis. The Doncic trade had fans checking to make sure their sources were real, and it set the table for one of the NBA’s most impactful trade deadlines.
Down a big, the Lakers made another move closer to the deadline. They acquired center Mark Williams for Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish too.
De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine finally got traded. Fox goes to the San Antonio Spurs to play with Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs were at the top of Fox’s list, after he requested a trade earlier this season.
Meanwhile, LaVine landed with the Kings after he had been on the trade block for ages. The Kings weren’t done, either. They also traded for center Jonas Valanciunas from the Wizards.
Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler after his long saga demanding a trade from the Heat. The Warriors gave up Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and upcoming draft picks. Butler received a 2-year, $121 million extension from Golden State.
The Clippers did acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic in a separate deal. It cost them Bones Hyland and Terance Mann to get Bogdanovic from the Hawks. These moves came only a week after they sent PJ Tucker and Mo Bamba to the Jazz for Patty Mills and Drew Eubanks. L.A. also sent Kevin Porter Jr. to the Bucks.
Otherwise, the Toronto Raptors ended up executing one of the best value trades by sending Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk and draft picks to the Pelicans for Brandin Ingram.
There were several other minor moves too. Jusuf Nurkic landed with the Hornets. Reggie Jackson was traded to the Wizards, and he could get traded again. Deion Wright landed with the Knicks. James Wiseman is with the Indiana Pacers now.
Dennis Schroder and PJ Tucker got traded a lot. The Blazers were one of four teams that did not make a trade at the deadline.
Otherwise, the Pro Bowl games happened last week. The NFC was dominated by California quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Sam Darnold and Jared Goff. Josh Allen, later replaced by Russell Wilson, was another QB from Cali with Pro Bowl honors.
Goff and Darnold dominated the throwing parts of the skill competitions. 49ers edge Nick Bosa raced his brother Joey from the Chargers in the relay portion of the race. The NFC took the title home for the third time. Here were more representations from the West Coast:
California
Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner
49ers’ linebacker Fred Warner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineman Veta Vea
Lions receiver Amon Ra-St. Brown
Raiders tight end Brock Bowers
Browns tackle Joel Bitonio
Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson
Oregon and Washington
Budda Baker is from Washington
Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo grew up in Oregon
Nevada
Ravens tackle Ronnie Staley
Steelers Miles Killebrew
Moreover, the Seattle Seahawks were repped by receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, corner Devin Witherspoon, and edge Leonard Williams. The San Francisco 49ers had tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. The Rams were represented by rookie edge Jared Verse. Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater, safety Derwin James and end Khalil Mack were invited. The Raiders also had end Maxx Crosby in Orlando.
PS Jayden Daniels won the 2024 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year award! (Lol at the name)
West Coast Sports Links
Footy
NHL
Ducks set to return to Bakersfield in 2025 preseason
Kraken part ways with their first goaltender
Kim Kee-hee returns to Sounders
MLB
A’s add Dave Stewart to coaching staff
Abraham Toro to join the Red Sox
Giants trade Taylor Rogers to Reds
Ha-seong Kim leaves Padres for Rays
Padres lose Jurickson Profar to the Braves
John Seidler takes control of the Padres
Angels locked into Angel Stadium until 2032
NFL
Cardinals’ Michael Wilson marries Sohia Smith from Thorns and USWNT
Raiders may keep their DC, despite the coaching change
Stafford plans to return and needs a new deal
Raiders could add Russell Wilson
Mark Davis blames team’s woes on the NFL pushing out Jon Gruden
Bo Nix turned down the Pro Bowl
Seahawks hire Klint Kubiak as OC
Leonard Williams restructures deal
Hoops
Sparks add Kelsey Plum + Griner joins the Dream
Aces sign Cheyenne Parker-Tyus
MLB
Tanner Scott joins the Dodgers
Cubs acquired Ryan Brasier, send Bellinger to the Yankees
Flaherty returns to the Tigers
Padres retire their favorite jerseys
Padres sign pitcher Michael King
Sorry for not being here last week. I was in Mobile for the Senior Bowl. Check out my podcast on touchdownsandtangents.com. I connected with a handful of athletes from the West Coast as well as schools from out here.
PS Peep Gelo’s new music video feature his two NBA brothers.