NBA News August 19: Lakers war, Curry and Davis extensions

So much for a quiet August. In recent hours, the NBA has mainly given us another internal war within the Buss family, with the Lakers sale becoming increasingly complicated. But there are also several situations to monitor on the market: Bennedict Mathurin is talking with three teams, Jalen Duren remains without a deal and in Golden State, the time is approaching to decide Stephen Curry’s future.

And then there’s Anthony Davis, with Washington choosing not to rush into his next massive contract.

Lakers sale, war erupts within the Buss family

Let’s start with the biggest story. It seemed like everything was settled: the Buss family would sell its remaining 17.8% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, completing the franchise’s change in ownership following the deal that values the team at $12.5 billion.

Then Jeanie Buss stepped in. Her attorney publicly challenged the account, arguing that Jeanie had not given her consent to the sale of the stake still owned by the family. The issue also revolves around the structure of the trust created by Jerry Buss and the agreements reached following the family battle in 2017.

On the other side are the other five Buss siblings. Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse released a joint statement saying they are united in the decision to sell their stake. Jeanie, therefore, has been left essentially isolated within the family.

Our priority has always been to do what we believe is best for the Lakers, for the fans who have supported this franchise for generations and for the entire Los Angeles community. Johnny, Jimmy, Janie, Joey and Jesse have decided to sell the family’s remaining stake and we are united in this decision. We intend to move forward carefully, respectfully and by following the appropriate procedures

Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss

And the numbers remain enormous. According to Axios, completing the purchase of that 17.8% could require Kushner and Iger to pay another $2.2 billion.

We have tremendous respect for Bob Iger and Josh Kushner and believe they understand what the Lakers represent to Los Angeles and to our incredibly loyal fan base. We are confident they will honor everything this franchise represents while continuing to build on the foundation created by our father

Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse Buss

The richest sale in the history of American sports could therefore turn first into a family battle and, potentially, a legal one as well.

Mathurin draws interest: Pelicans, Bulls and Bucks make their push

On the market, one of the hottest names is Bennedict Mathurin, still a restricted free agent after finishing last season with the Clippers.

According to Marc Stein, the player’s representatives continue to talk with the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. A return to the Clippers also cannot be completely ruled out, as Los Angeles retains the right to match any offer.

His contract situation, however, makes it difficult to take him directly from Los Angeles. One of the most realistic options for interested teams would therefore be to work out a sign-and-trade with the Clippers.

Jalen Duren still without a deal

And Mathurin isn’t the only important restricted free agent still waiting.

There is also Jalen Duren, coming off a season that earned him an All-NBA selection but still without a new contract with the Detroit Pistons. Detroit naturally retains the right to match any offers, and that has helped cool the market around the center.

One possibility is to accept the $9.6 million qualifying offer, play another season in Detroit and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027.

Curry-Warriors, decision time is approaching

In Golden State, the name is considerably bigger.

Stephen Curry will enter the window at the end of August in which he can discuss a new extension with the Warriors, and the messages from both sides remain very clear: the goal is to reach the end of his career together.

Curry still has one year remaining on his current contract, and Golden State appears ready to accommodate virtually any solution the No. 30 prefers. General manager Mike Dunleavy reiterated that he has received no indication that the superstar is considering a change of plans.

Curry still wants to win. But above all, he wants to finish his career with the Warriors.

The real question, then, seems less about whether a new deal will happen and much more about how: length, money and, above all, how long Curry envisions himself continuing to play.

At 38, any new contract could inevitably become the final one of his incredible NBA career.

Anthony Davis and Wizards push back massive extension

The player who could sign a huge contract but has chosen to wait is Anthony Davis.

AD and the Washington Wizards have decided to postpone substantive extension talks until the start of the 2026-27 season, even though the big man is already eligible to negotiate a new deal.

The decision makes sense for both sides. Davis has yet to play an official game for Washington after arriving from Dallas, and the Wizards can use the first few months of the season to see how the new project actually works.

On the other side, AD can prove that he is healthy and can still be the player around whom to build an ambitious team.

So there’s no breakdown here. Simply no rush to put another massive contract on the table before even seeing Davis in a Wizards uniform.

That’s all for today. NBA News by Dunkest returns tomorrow with another recap and, above all, more news from around the NBA.