Matthew Valento

Santa Clarita

Staff Writer at Lakers Nation

@LakersNation @RaptorsNationTV staff writer | Host of The Basketball Maestros and Basketball Banter

Featured in: Favicon

lakersnation.com Favicon

msn.com

flipboard.com Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

yardbarker.com

Articles

LeBron James Wants Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards To Take Next Step As Star

2 days ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

Edwards notably swept Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in the first round last year and then beat Nikola Jokic and the defending champion Denver Nuggets en route to his first Western Conference Finals run. To be considered one of the best in the league though, he has to build off that.
LeBron James Wants Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards To Take Next Step As Star

2 days ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has seen it all in his 22 seasons, including a new generation of stars beginning to take the wheel, one being Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards. Playing two decades worth of basketball at the highest level, James competed against all walks of life in the NBA. This postseason featured a fresh matchup against Minnesota with Edwards beginning to solidify himself as a playoff riser.
Spurs' Jeremy Sochan Looks Forward To Matchups With LeBron James

3 days ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

There is no telling how much longer LeBron James will play, but it’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers star is nearing the end of his career. Despite still being one of the best players in the league, James has been noncommittal about his future plans as he takes some time to think about his next steps. Regardless, the Lakers are focused on getting back into championship contention with Luka Doncic ushering in a new era for the purple and gold.
Lakers News: Bronny James Proud Of Growth During Rookie Season

3 days ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

A lot was made about Bronny James being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round last summer because his father is LeBron James. Bronny was the most talked about 55th pick ever due to his last name, on top of playing for one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports. Heading into his first season, there were unrealistic expectations for Bronny, but L.A. played it smart by placing him in the G League to continue his development.
'Doesn't Feel Real' That Lakers' Season Came To Early End

3 days ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

Jaxson Hayes was a player who surprisingly rose his level of play for the Los Angeles Lakers after becoming their starting center when Luka Doncic came into town. With a trade for Mark Williams falling apart with the Charlotte Hornets and the trade deadline passing, that left Hayes as the starter and needing to elevate his play. Given his lean frame, there was skepticism about his ability to hang with more physical centers.
CBS Sports Projects Raptors Taking South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles In Latest Mock Draft

4 days ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

The 2025 NBA Draft is steadily approaching for the Toronto Raptors. Toronto is eager to add another prospect to complement its young core. After a season filled with losing, the Raptors are focusing on next season to take a leap as a competitive Eastern Conference team. Once the regular season came to an end, Toronto found themselves with the 7th-best lottery odds. Hopefully, the ping pong balls are in their favor and they can move up in the draft.
ESPN Mocks Raptors Selecting Duke’s Khaman Maluach With No. 7 Pick

5 days ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

The Toronto Raptors find out their fate on May 12 at the NBA Draft Lottery. After a disappointing 30-52 season riddled with injuries, Toronto shifted its focus to positioning themselves for the best possible draft pick. Currently with the seventh-best odds, there is an off chance that the Raptors move up come Monday. However, signs point to Toronto staying put at seven; nonetheless, picking in the lottery is a win.
Former Raptors Kawhi Leonard & Norman Powell Fall In Game 7 To Nuggets

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

Former Toronto Raptors champions Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard found themselves in a Game 7. Now, as a part of the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard and Powell were in a thrilling first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets. Frankly, Denver and L.A. had the most enticing first-round matchup due to all the star power involved. Both teams came into the postseason with the hopes of making a deep run. Whoever got eliminated faced a daunting offseason and L.A. looked to be in control of the series.
NBA On NBC Bringing Back Player Starting Lineup Introductions On Broadcast Next Season

1 week ago | lakersnation.com | Matthew Valento

The NBA recently negotiated a new media rights deal, which resulted in NBC and Amazon becoming new partners. Particularly with NBC, they returned after their coverage came to an end in 2002. NBC’s presentation was nostalgic due to their presentation and having an iconic theme song to introduce a broadcast. A lot has changed in over two decades in terms of the NBA, but it will be refreshing to see NBC enter the fold once again with today’s game.
Watch: Luka Doncic Appears In NBA On NBC Promotion

1 week ago | yardbarker.com | Matthew Valento

Next season is important for the Los Angeles Lakers as they prepare to enter a full season with Luka Doncic at the helm. After shockingly acquiring Doncic on Feb. 1, L.A.’s trajectory as a franchise completely turned. Unfortunately, the Lakers could not garner positive results in the postseason as they got eliminated in the first round, but they now have a superstar to build around for years to come.