LeBron James is taking his talents elsewhere, so the Los Angeles Lakers' mandate this offseason is straightforward: Build around Luka Dončić.

The Lakers have already secured a co-star for Dončić. Austin Reaves agreed to a four-year max contract last week. Beyond Dončić and Reaves, though, they have seven players on the roster -- Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt, Deandre Ayton, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr -- and Los Angeles might not see any of them as a long-term starter.

This means that, with $52 million of cap space at their disposal (accounting for Reaves' cap hold and nobody else's), the Lakers could target just about anybody in free agency and on the trade market. Naturally, they will be more interested in players who are in or approaching their prime years and can complement ball-dominant playmakers.

One big question: Can they find Dončić a pick-and-roll partner? A source close to Dončić told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that Dončić's "first and foremost desire is an A-list center."

LeBron James landing spots: Four teams that make sense as The King leaves the Lakers Robby Kalland

Los Angeles is scheduled to talk to restricted free agent Jalen Duren on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick. Duren was an All-Star and made the All-NBA Third Team this past season, and he doesn't even turn 23 until November. Guys like this are typically not available, but, after Duren's poor offensive showing in the playoffs -- in which opposing defenses flagrantly ignored the Detroit Pistons' perimeter players and took away his rolls to the rim -- maybe the Lakers have an opportunity.

They cannot get Duren, however, without Detroit's cooperation. If he signs an offer sheet from Los Angeles, the Pistons can simply match it and retain him. And the Pistons have shown no interest in a sign-and-trade, according to ESPN.

Dončić is a fan of Duren's game, according to The Athletic. To acquire him, though, they'll need to offer him a contract Detroit won't match or a trade it won't turn down. It's not clear how realistic either scenario is.

Restricted free agents rarely change teams. Los Angeles, however, is reportedly interested in two RFA centers. It is expected to meet with Walker Kessler on Tuesday, according to The Stein Line's Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.

Kessler turns 25 next month. He played just five games for the Utah Jazz last season before having season-ending shoulder surgery, but is one of the league's best rim protectors when healthy. He would be a killer lob threat next to Dončić, but he is not in the same class as Duren when it comes to scoring and short-roll playmaking.

Two weeks ago, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that the Jazz had offered Kessler a five-year, $140 million contract, but he was looking for more. The dynamic here is more or less the same as the Duren situation: The team is offering less than the RFA wants, but that doesn't necessarily mean the team is willing to let the RFA go. It is notable, though, that Utah agreed to a deal with another center on Monday: Jusuf Nurkic is coming back on a two-year, $22 million contract.

The Lakers are also interested in Mitchell Robinson, per The Stein Line. Robinson just won a title with the New York Knicks, but he might be on his way out because owner James Dolan wants the champs to stay below the second apron.

If he can stay healthy, the 28-year-old Robinson would make a ton of sense with the Lakers. At his best, he's a game-changing offensive rebounder, a top-tier rim protector and exactly the kind of player who would feast off of lobs from Dončić. Los Angeles could live with his terrible free-throw shooting because of everything else he brings to the table.

Durability, though, is a real question. If the Lakers envision Robinson playing more than 20ish minutes a night, how confident are they that they can keep him on the court?

Los Angeles is also interested in Sandro Mamukelashvili, according to The Stein Line. Mamukelashvili, 27, is nominally a big man, but he's not a shot blocker and not a lob threat. If the Lakers sign him, it will be to give the team a different look. He's a skilled big who can stretch the floor, serve as an offensive hub and create off the bounce.

Last season with the Toronto Raptors, Mamukelashvili was one of the league's most productive reserves. He played far more minutes than he did in any prior season, was more efficient than ever before and made 38.9% of his 3-point attempts.

Los Angeles could also bring back center Jaxson Hayes, who recently became a Slovenian citizen.

I wouldn't call Dean Wade a center, but he can slide up to that position in small-ball lineups and, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Lakers will be one of his suitors in free agency. Wade has lasted seven years in Cleveland largely because of his defensive versatility, a clear area of need for Los Angeles.

Other non-bigs that the Lakers have reportedly looked at include the Denver Nuggets' Cam Johnson (per HoopsHype), restricted free agent Tari Eason (per Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko), free agent Quentin Grimes (per The Stein Line) and free agent Ziaire Williams (per The Athletic's Dan Woike). Johnson, like almost everybody else in Denver, is a trade candidate. In theory, the front office could also throw an offer sheet at restricted free agent Peyton Watson and/or go after other UFAs -- Kelly Oubre Jr. and De'Anthony Melton seem like sensible targets.

And then there are the other familiar faces. Yes, the Lakers are looking for upgrades, but that doesn't mean that they can't re-sign Rui Hachimura and/or Luke Kennard. The same is technically true for Marcus Smart, who declined his $5.4 million player option, but multiple outlets have already linked Smart to the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles has the cap space to make a big splash to begin the post-LeBron era. Free agency, however, is not what it used to be, with stars now tending to sign extensions and change teams via trade. There is an argument, then, that they'd be better off trying to hit singles than taking a big swing at someone like Duren or Watson. Given the money they've committed to Dončić and Reaves, though, it'll be a long while before they have this much financial flexibility again.

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Mexico fans upset Team Ecuador with sleep deprivation tactics before World Cup showdown

Mexico fans upset Ecuador with sleep deprivation tactics before World Cup showdown

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Mexico fans upset Team Ecuador with sleep deprivation tactics before World Cup showdown

By Grace McCarron Published June 30, 2026, 4:56 p.m. ET

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Soccer fans are going to great lengths to try and get their teams World Cup wins.

Mexico’s fans got a head start on showing their support ahead of their match with Ecuador in their capital city Tuesday night.

On Monday night, Mexico fans stationed themselves outside the hotel where Ecuador’s national team was staying to loudly make noise in an attempt to disrupt the squad’s pre-match sleep.

Mexico national football team players training for the FIFA World Cup 2026. — Players of Mexico attend a training session ahead of the round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Mexico City Stadium, Mexico, June 29, 2026. Xinhua/Shutterstock

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Mexico fans showed up from midnight to early morning, per the Associated Press, to chant loudly and honk their car horns outside the hotel.

Videos of the spectacle quickly spread on the Internet. If they’re any indication, the cheering could have been loud enough to interrupt what Ecuador needed to be a good night of sleep before their first knockout stage match.

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Ecuador, clearly unhappy with the behavior of Mexico’s fans, said they complained to FIFA about the tactic, calling it “conduct [that] falls far short of the principles of fair play, equity, and unity that a football World Cup should represent.” The statement went on to ask “relevant authorities” to exercise control over the incidents amid concerns over player, staff and fan safety relating to the incidents.

Ecuador head coach Sebastián Andrés Beccacece and goalie Gonzalo Valle at a FIFA World Cup 2026 press conference. — Head coach Sebastián Andrés Beccacece and goalie Gonzalo Valle of Ecuador National team speak during a news conference ahead the FIFA Word Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium. on June 29, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. Ian Robles/Eyepix Group/Shutterstock

It remains to be seen whether Ecuador’s game will be affected by the disruption. Ecuador and Mexico face off in the Round of 32 at 9 p.m. ET in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.

As it will be a home game for Mexico, their fans will surely bring their A-game to the match, much like they did outside Ecuador’s hotel Monday night.

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New York’s Democratic primary winners: Letters to the Editor — July 1, 2026

New York's Democratic primary winners: Letters

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New York’s Democratic primary winners: Letters to the Editor — July 1, 2026

By Post readers Published June 30, 2026, 3:29 p.m. ET

Congressional candidate Claire Valdez speaks during her primary-night watch party at 99 Scott Studio on June 23, 2026 in the East Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. — Congressional candidate Claire Valdez speaks during her primary-night watch party at on June 23, 2026 in East Williamsburg in New York City. Getty Images

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The Issue: Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander winning the Democratic primaries.

I am disgusted with the current state of our formerly great city (“Plot to end America,” Melanie Phillips, June 26).

Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d have a rabid antisemitic mayor and a slate of similar bigots running for office — Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander.

Antisemitism runs rampant in the city with hardly a peep from our so-called leader.

My only solace is that I don’t live there anymore; I am happily retired in Florida.

Bob Schwartzman

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Boynton Beach, Fla.

Low voter turnout and indoctrinated Gen Z slackers have left us with three communists on the ballot in November.

As New Yorkers, we need to stop with identity politics and get common-sense candidates to run against these horrible choices.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are so fearful of losing power.

Please remember in November: Trump is only here for a short time.

The comrades and their horrible policies will be there for long haul.

Mary Harkins

Manhattan

I find myself wondering how Chevalier — who, based on her policy positions and social media posts, loathes this country — will be able to take the required oath of office at her swearing in.

The oath states, in part, that a member of Congress must “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and “take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”

This is a question The Post should ask her and her fellow DSA members.

Bob Wilson

Massapequa

After the results of the primaries, the only hope left for NYC and perhaps the entire state population is to elect Bruce Blakeman governor.

Hopefully, he will be able to rein in the evil that looms among the Democrats and their far-left leaning members.

A win for Gov. Hochul may fuel a bad future for the entire country, with California leaning in the same direction.

David Porrini

Port Orange, Fla.

To Lander: No matter how often he calls you a “friend,” no matter how often he compliments you or flashes his smirk at you, Mamdani hates your guts.

He is a rabid Jew-hater, and you are a Jew.

You have no pride in your heritage and are ashamed of being Jewish.

You have sold your soul and that makes you evil.

Barry Koppel

Kew Gardens Hills

I think it’s wrong for Chevalier to be a congresswoman when she has terrible disrespect toward the American flag.

She said she’d use our flag to wipe herself.

Men and women fought and died for that flag.

I served proudly in the US Navy, and I won’t condone an ignoramus like Chevalier continuing her attacks on our nation.

Thomas Patrick Folan

Nesconset

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The victory of communist ideology in New York’s primary should sound a very loud klaxon all over the world, but all we hear from the party’s leaders is a peep.

Always anxious Jeffries and ponderous Schumer are unfit for the trials their party now faces.

Who will marshal common sense, gather normal Dems and cast the crazies out?

Time’s wasting, and so is our patience.

Paul Bloustein

Cincinnati, Ohio

Mamdani’s forces came out in large numbers and left their mark.

You can be sure this group of pampered progressives attended some of the top-notch universities, and it was there where their indoctrination took hold.

To prove the point, Chevalier was one of those defiant participants during the Columbia University demonstrations.

The root of the problem are lefty faculties inculcating ideologies in the minds of young adults.

Ronald Frank

West Orange, NJ

Just think how much of a coward you have to be to be Lander.

This Jew cozies up to people that not only hate Israelis, who are fighting for their lives against Middle Eastern terror groups, but hate all Jews.

There really is a special place in hell for him.

Jake McNicholas

Whitestone

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.

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