Bryan Toporek

Baltimore

Senior Quality Editor at Bleacher Report

Co-Host at The NBA Podcast

@BleacherReport Senior Multiplatform Editor / @TheNBAPod co-host / Contributor @ForbesSports and @Liberty_Ballers

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Articles

Pacers, Thunder May Be Ushering In A New NBA Team-Building Paradigm

3 days ago | forbes.com | Bryan Toporek

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives ... More around Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center on March 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Breaking down Luka Dončić’s contract extension options with the Lakers

3 days ago | silverscreenandroll.com | Bryan Toporek

Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images On Aug. 2, Luka Dončić will become eligible to sign a four-year, $228.6 million contract extension with the Lakers. Despite all signs pointing to him remaining in Los Angeles, there’s no guarantee that he’ll actually sign such a deal, though.
How Jaren Jackson Jr. missing All-NBA this season could help the Lakers

5 days ago | silverscreenandroll.com | Bryan Toporek

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. narrowly missed out on being named to an All-NBA team this year, which could prove extremely costly for him. The Grizzlies’ loss might be the Lakers’ gain. Had JJJ made an All-NBA team, he would have been eligible to sign a five-year extension worth up to $345.3 million this offseason.
How much of a paycut should the Lakers try to get LeBron James to take this offseason?

6 days ago | sports.yahoo.com | Bryan Toporek

Last offseason, LeBron James was reportedly feeling magnanimous. After LeBron declined his $51.4 million player option ahead of free agency, Klutch Sports superagent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he ”would be willing to work with the Lakers” on signing a below-max deal “to open up the full $12.9 million mid-level exception to sign an ‘impact player’” such as James Harden, Klay Thompson or Jonas Valančiūnas.
How much of a paycut should the Lakers try to get LeBron James to take this offseason?

6 days ago | silverscreenandroll.com | Bryan Toporek

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Last offseason, LeBron James was reportedly feeling magnanimous. After LeBron declined his $51.4 million player option ahead of free agency, Klutch Sports superagent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he ”would be willing to work with the Lakers” on signing a below-max deal “to open up the full $12.9 million mid-level exception to sign an ‘impact player’” such as James Harden, Klay Thompson or Jonas Valančiūnas.
Why Austin Reaves likely won’t sign an extension with the Lakers this offseason

1 week ago | silverscreenandroll.com | Bryan Toporek

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images When the Lakers acquired Luka Dončić at this year’s trade deadline, Austin Reaves’ long-term future in L.A. suddenly appeared murky. Would the Lakers keep all three of Reaves, Dončić and LeBron James, or would they look to flip Reaves to balance out their roster? They opted to stand pat at the trade deadline, and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka recently implied that they feel the same way heading into the offseason.
OKC Thunder Poised To Disrupt NBA's Push For More Parity

1 week ago | forbes.com | Bryan Toporek

When the NBA ratified its new collective bargaining agreement in the spring of 2023, it was seemingly designed to promote more parity across the league. The introduction of the punitive second apron effectively forced teams into making tough choices, as the Minnesota Timberwolves encountered with their trade of Karl-Anthony Towns right before training camp this past season and the Boston Celtics are poised to learn this coming offseason.
Dorian Finney-Smith’s options with the Lakers this offseason, explained

1 week ago | silverscreenandroll.com | Bryan Toporek

Matt Blewett-Imagn Images Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves aren’t the only Lakers who will be eligible for an extension this offseason. In fact, Dorian Finney-Smith already is. Finney-Smith has been eligible for a three-year extension worth up to $56.4 million since mid-February. He would have to turn down his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, and his new extension could start as high as $17.9 million, with 5% annual raises from there.
Dorian Finney-Smith’s contract options with the Lakers this offseason

1 week ago | sports.yahoo.com | Bryan Toporek

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves aren’t the only Lakers who will be eligible for an extension this offseason. In fact, Dorian Finney-Smith already is. Finney-Smith has been eligible for a three-year extension worth up to $56.4 million since mid-February. He would have to turn down his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, and his new extension could start as high as $17.9 million, with 5% annual raises from there.
NBA Rules Complicate A Sign-And-Trade For Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Bryan Toporek

Jonathan Kuminga's future with the Golden State Warriors has never been more up in the air. Kuminga is set to become a restricted free agent when the NBA’s new league year begins at 6 p.m. ET on. June 30. He's fresh off a season in which he averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in only 24.3 minutes per game, although he shot a career-worst 45.4% overall and 30.5% from deep.