Los Angeles Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope says he's thinking of ways to welcome LeBron James to the Lakers -- and says a dinner with the rest of his teammates is definitely on the table.

The funny part ... Bron's been in town for about a week now and hasn't broken bread with his Purple and Gold squad yet (that we know about) ... but he had made time for Hollywood stars like Al Pacino, Leonardo DiCaprio and Khloe Kardashian.

If LeBron James is looking to cast people in his upcoming movie ... look no further than Karl-Anthony Towns!!

We got the Minnesota Timberwolves superstar out in Hollywood with his smokin' hot girlfriend, Kawahine Andrade ... wearing the exact same designer hoodie Bron rocked Wednesday night.

FYI, the hoodie is made by a company called Rhude -- which sells the sweatshirts for around $500!

So, with their fashion sense lining up, we asked KAT if he wants some on-camera work with LeBron's production company.

"Tell him to call me," Towns said ... "We can make it happen!"

He's not the only star hoping to team up with James -- Common says he'd love to hook up with LeBron for a project.

How's this for a collaboration ... LaVar Ball and LeBron James on a big Hollywood project together?

LaVar tells TMZ Sports ... don't rule it out.

The Big Baller was at his JBA league event in Ontario, CA where we asked if LaVar had plans to get in on all of the Hollywood power meetings LeBron has been taking in Los Angeles.

Lonzo's dad told us a meeting with Bron ain't a priority ... right now ... but he's excited about the possibility of teaming up with King James down the line.

"In Hollywood, anything's possible," LaVar says ... "We hook up together maybe become something more powerful. But it's all good!"

We also asked LaVar about Lonzo's health surrounding his knee injury -- and he assured us, "Lonzo's getting better and better."

LeBron James hasn't been in L.A. two weeks and the stars are already falling out of the sky to work with him -- this time it's Common, who tells TMZ Sports he's ITCHING to do movie biz with the King.

James has been doing work in Hollywood already -- he and his business partner, Maverick Carter, just sold a new movie to Paramount Players and took a power dinner meeting with Leo DiCaprio and Al Pacino.

We got Common at LAX and asked if he's drooling to be a part of LeBron's Hollywood kingdom, and he said he'd love to run some lines with James ... again.

"LeBron is one of my favorite athletes, I actually just did a movie called 'Smallfoot.' We both did this animated film together."

The flick he's referencing is about a yeti who's convinced humans exist -- and includes voiceover work from stars like Channing Tatum, Zendaya, James Corden, and Danny DeVito.

"Of course I'll work with LeBron and Maverick! They're incredible, they do good stuff."

Who's gonna say NO to this guy?

Back when he was a junior high student, Magic Johnson knew he was destined for big things ... telling a local paper he planned to play pro basketball, start a business and travel the world.

Check, check and check!

Johnson dug up the article from his 9th grade year for a dope Throwback Thursday post ... in which he was written up for breaking a city junior high scoring record with 48 points!

But, the best part of the article is when he was asked about future plans:

"In the future, Earvin plans to keep on playing ball up through high school, college and into the proffesional [sic] ranks. He also plans to start a business and to travel."

Now, roughly 44 years later ... Johnson is giving himself a well-deserved pat on the back.

Imagine you're the server assigned to this table ... LeBron James, Al Pacino and Leonardo DiCaprio -- who gets to order first?!

That was the situation at Avra Beverly Hills on Wednesday night -- where the newest L.A. Lakers star broke bread with two of the most powerful men in Hollywood.

And, get this ... it seems Leonardo DiCaprio tried to run interference for Al and Bron -- because after the meal, Leo went out the front while the other two guys went out the back!

Of course, Leo is a massive Lakers fan who's been a regular at Staples Center over the years -- maybe Pacino is a fan of "Trainwreck"?

BTW -- LeBron's business partner, Maverick Carter, was also there (in the jean jacket) ... so yeah, this dinner was more business than pleasure.

No word on who paid (or expensed) the bill.

It's Bron's second big celebrity dinner since he's come to town -- he had sushi with Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson earlier this week.

LeBron James is already making moves in Hollywood -- the newest Lakers star just sold a movie project to Paramount Players ... and he's making a play for the starring role.

The project is a comedy movie, according to Variety ... which says Bron has been developing the flick with his production company, SpringHill Entertainment, and writer Steve Mallory.

Mallory wrote the Melissa McCarthy movie "The Boss" and he's working on her next project, "Superintelligence."

LeBron is producing the flick with his business partner, Maverick Carter.

It's not Bron's first big Hollywood deal -- he's already got a "House Party" reboot in the works and is working on the new "Space Jam" movie.

Dear Lakers fans,

Don't plan the victory parade just yet.

Love,

Charles Barkley

The NBA legend was leaving Madeo in Beverly Hills on Tuesday when he hit Lakers nation with a cold, hard dose of reality -- LeBron James can't single-handedly save the Lake Show.

"He not gonna win next year," Barkley told our guy ... "Stop it, dude."

Barkley says Lebron's a great player, but they need to get better -- and tells TMZ Sports Magic Johnson needs to continue building out the roster and bringing in top talent before they can contend with the Warriors.

And, here's more Lakers dream-crushing -- Barkley says there's NO WAY IN HELL Kobe Bryant's coming out of retirement to play in the NBA.

Hours after officially signing his L.A. Lakers contract, LeBron James and his wife celebrated in Malibu ... with his OLD Cleveland Cavs teammate Tristan Thompson (and Khloe Kardashian!).

The foursome -- along with a ton of security and others -- hit up Nobu in Malibu ... one of the most expensive sushi joints in town.

Not like price matters (LeBron just signed a $154 million contract, Tristan is in an $82 mil contract and Khloe is rich as hell too).

So, why is Bron out with the old teammate instead of bonding with his new Lakers squad? Could be because the Lake Show is in Vegas at the moment competing in the NBA Summer League.

Then again ... it's not like LeBron couldn't have flown out (or flown them in) for a first official dinner together.

... Or maybe he just really likes Tristan and Khloe?!

On that note, TT and KK were ALL OVER each other in the car -- kissing and hugging up ... and posting it on social media for everyone to see.

LeBron James isn't going anywhere but L.A. now -- the King has officially signed his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Klutch Sports -- which reps LeBron -- tweeted a photo of the NBA superstar grinning widely alongside Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, and a stack of papers in front of them.

The sports agency added a caption, which read ... "Officially signed with the @Lakers @KingJames." In a press release, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson is quoted as saying, "LeBron is special. He is the best player in the world ... The Lakers players are excited to have a teammate who has been to nine NBA Finals. It’s a huge step closer to returning the Lakers to the playoffs and to the NBA Finals."

As we reported ... LeBron's new deal is worth $154 mil over 4 years. Magic is said to have engaged in immediate talks with LeBron the moment he landed in L.A. last Saturday, and was integral in landing the big fish for the Lakers organization.

Could Kobe Bryant come back from retirement at 39 years old to play one final season with LeBron James?

Matt Barnes says that would be dope as hell ... but highly unlikely.

There have been rumors (mostly wishful thinking) that Mamba would lace 'em up for one last ride in the Purple & Gold to take a run at the Golden State Warriors alongside King James.

We know Matt and Kobe are friends -- so, we asked ... is it a real possibility?

Long story short ... Barnes says don't bet on seeing #8 or #24 back on the court -- but, "that would be dope though."

We also asked Barnes what he thought about Patrick Beverley telling TMZ Sports his Clippers are BETTER than the Warriors ... and Matt hits the NBA with a dose of cold hard reality.

Jonas Never -- the guy who painted the new dope LeBron mural in L.A. -- says he ain't pissed his piece got tagged only hours after its completion ... telling TMZ Sports it took just 20 minutes to fix!!

The kick-ass artist spent 12 painstaking hours putting his "King of L.A." LeBron mural on Baby Blues BBQ in Venice ... and just moments after it was finished -- somebody drew all over it.

Jonas tells us it's all good -- it was an easy fix ... but he does have a question for the dude who tagged it.

"I'd ask him, seriously, if they were a Laker fan, I don't get how a Laker fan could be mad about getting the best player in the game right now."

Jonas says they've added some new lighting and security cams to make sure he doesn't have to retouch it again ... but if it comes down to it -- he ain't sweatin' it.

The core of the Los Angeles Lakers -- including Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma -- were courtside at the Lakers Summer League game this weekend supporting the squad.

Even JaVale McGee and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope were there sitting next to Luke Walton and Rob Pelinka.

The one guy missing? LeBron James.

The four players were having a great time together as the Lakers Summer League squad took on the Philadelphia 76ers.

So, is it a big deal that Bron's not there bonding with the guys? Hell no.

Making sure LeBron is relaxing and getting his mind and body right is WAY more important for the Lakers than attending the Summer League.

LiAngelo Ball says he's going to be a Los Angeles Laker!

... Eventually.

We got Lonzo's little bro at LAX on Wednesday ... and we just had to ask about his dad's prediction that Gelo will join up with Zo in the purple and gold.

"Yeah, I will," Gelo says. "Probably later. I think I will."

Just one problem ... Gelo says nobody from the NBA has called about putting him on their roster -- so sounds like it'll DEFINITELY be later rather than sooner.

LaVar is still confident he'll get to the pros -- and guaranteed at least TWO titles once the Lakers sign Gelo.

LaVar Ball says he had absolutely nothing to do with word of Lonzo's knee injury getting out, and neither did anyone in his camp family ... because the Balls don't roll like that.

We got LaVar at LAX Friday and asked about the recent report that the Lakers think someone on Zo's side leaked news of his torn meniscus and potential surgery to keep him from getting traded ... he calls BS.

"I don't leak nothing. I always say what's on my mind, so you don't never see me saying, 'I think I should say this now and let it leak.' I don't do that."

LaVar says he's never babied his son or even talked about him being hurt ... so the media should look for leakers elsewhere.

He also touches on Lonzo's relationship with his new teammates -- LeBron and Rondo -- but tells us he's been busy with his own business this summer ... so he doesn't have all the answers.

Well, THAT didn't take long ...

LeBron James hasn't played a minute for the Purple & Gold yet ... but that hasn't kept him from getting the Kobe Bryant treatment ... getting a MASSIVE mural in the streets of L.A.!!

Just days after announcing his decision to bail on Cleveland again, King James has been painted on Baby Blues BBQ in Venice ... donning his new threads and trademark stare.

We're told the artist behind the mural is Jonas Never -- who just completed a piece for the late Anthony Bourdain -- with the help of fellow artist Menso ... and it took about 12 hours to complete.