NBA

Simply committing to the Lakers as one of the greatest basketball players of all time does NOT mean LeBron James is already an L.A. legend -- so says NBA star Clint Capela.

We got the Houston Rockets center leaving Il Pastaio in Bev Hills on Sunday and just had to ask ... should LBJ already be mentioned with Kobe, Magic and Shaq in Lakers' lore now?!

"A legend in L.A.? I mean, he's going to have to prove a little bit. At least a little something."

Interesting comments from Clint ... considering he's a restricted free agent who reportedly met with the Lakers about possibly signing an offer sheet just hours before the King's commitment.

Maybe not the best way to get Bron to make the Lakers shell out more cash for him ... but could there be some reverse psychology going on here from Clint?!

Well, that was quick.

LeBron James is no longer on the front page of the Cleveland Cavaliers online team shop -- and they're already slashing prices on his jerseys.

Don't worry, the new star getting the front-page treatment is Cavs rookie Collin Sexton -- you can buy his jersey for $110 (Kevin Love and J.R. Smith are also still on the front page).

But, now that LeBron's heading West ... the NBA's #2 selling jersey (behind Steph Curry) has been discounted from $110 to $66!

Gotta think people in Cleveland are still gonna buy LeBron jerseys though, right? Especially since the Cavs will 100% retire #23 at some point down the line.

Meanwhile, on the Lakers team store -- they're selling LeBron front and center!

Interested in some Bron purple and gold swag? An authentic #23 Lakers jersey will cost you $220!

If that's too rich for your blood, you can still find old-school Cedric Ceballos jerseys (#23) for WAYYYY cheaper!

Good luck!

Los Angeles Lakers star Kyle Kuzma can throw -- in fact, he was launching TD passes at a huge flag football game with NFL stars over the weekend ... and TMZ Sports has the footage.

The 6'9" power forward went under center at the Team Ross vs. Team Snoop charity game in Long Beach and did pretty well -- throwing strikes to NFL stars like Joe Mixon and John Ross.

Ultimately, Kyle's team lost after a crazy 4th quarter comeback by Team Snoop -- but it was fun as hell to watch and it all benefited the John Ross III Foundation, which helps provide educational opportunities to underprivileged kids.

Plus, the touchdown celebrations were pretty dope too -- with dancing and backflips ... and even some friendly trash talk.

LeBron James just boosted the price of L.A. Lakers tickets in a HUGE way -- with rich stars like Randy Jackson admitting they would pay a bloody fortune to see Bron play at Staples Center.

"[I would pay] anything to see LeBron, dude ... one of the greatest players ever," the former "American Idol" judge just told us outside of Craig's in L.A. ... "I love him. I can't wait to see him."

By the way, season ticket prices on sites like StubHub have reportedly doubled since the announcement about LeBron ... with one buyer paying close to $200,000 for the upcoming season.

Also, Jackson said he'd love to work with LeBron if The King wants to get into music while he's in L.A. -- so, dude's got options.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is fired up about LeBron James -- and even made the The King a video to welcome LBJ to Los Angeles.

"This is so exciting that you're coming to the city of stars," Arnold said.

"And you'll be, without any doubt, the biggest star of all. On the court and off the court! I love it!"

He's not the only huge star excited about James becoming the newest Los Angeles Laker -- Snoop Dogg also posted on IG welcoming Bron to town.

And, of course, Bron's newest teammate Lonzo Ball had a few words as well -- saying, "Y’all really thought he was gonna pass up the greatest city in the world... #TheKingIsHere."

Kobe Bryant also weighed in, saying ... "Welcome to the family @KingJames #lakers4life #striveforgreatness @JeanieBuss @MagicJohnson."

Call him BallStradamus ... because LaVar Ball told TMZ Sports the LeBron James to the Lakers thing was a done deal way back in February.

Of course, back then there were rumblings about LeBron coming out west, but it was far from official.

Still, when we saw LaVar at a Big Baller Brand pop-up shop, he made it clear that he had no doubts about LeBron's future.

"Who said it was a rumor? Didn't I tell you he was coming here," Ball said in February.

"Lonzo's gonna make him a better player."

LaVar even had a nickname for the new LeBron, Lonzo Ball duo -- and it's more about his son than James.

Anthony Davis plays in NOLA, but he'll always have homecourt advantage in Cali ... thanks to his new California mansion, complete with an INDOOR BASKETBALL COURT ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The Pelicans superstar just bought the Westlake Village home for $7.5 MILLION earlier this month ... and there's a bunch packed into the estate -- a home theater, gym, infinity pool with water slides, outdoor kitchen and, oh yeah ... the hoops court!!

And if that's not enough ... the 5-time All Star's new crib comes with a guest house (with its own bar) for the homies.

BTW -- we know what you're wonderin', Laker Nation ... it's an hour and a half drive to Staples Center.

Keep dreaming.

And if you're wondering how Davis can afford such a massive place -- dude's in the middle of a 5-year, $145 MILLION contract with the Pelicans.

The King has decided where he's going next in the NBA -- LeBron James is heading to the Los Angeles Lakers ... and for a helluva lot of money.

A press release from Klutch Sports -- which reps Bron -- came out Sunday saying James had agreed to a 4 year contract with Magic Johnson's team for $154 million. Magic is said to have engaged in immediate talks with LeBron the moment he landed in L.A. Saturday.

It's unclear who else might be joining LeBron at this point, but rumors are swirling that Magic and co. are trying to land Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs.

Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons might be moving out ... not on each other, but into a bigger and more private home than their current crib.

As we reported ... the two have been crashing in a $25k/month L.A. rental, but the lease is short-term.

One of the places they've been checking out is a 5 bedroom, 5 bath modern home in Bev Hills. The draw is the 4,000 sq. ft. pad is spread out on 4 acres with incredible views of L.A., and a bit off the beaten path ... meaning it's hard to find because it's so secluded.

Can't blame Kendall for wanting the privacy ... she's had her fair share of run-ins with trespassers. Her other home that's being renovated is inside a nearby gated community.

Mallory Edens -- the daughter of Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens -- tells TMZ Sports ... when Becky Hammon is hired as a head coach, pro sports in America will never be the same.

And she says that moment could be sooner than you think.

Edens, who's been around the NBA and writes about women in sports, says ladies are destined to have more voices at the top levels in major sports leagues ... and the hiring of Hammon will speed the process.

"I'd love to see a female commissioner one day. There are so many roles in the NBA that are yet to fill. I think even if we start to fill a few of them we'll start to see a positive change."

Edens also told us Hammon's reach could transcend basketball, and maybe make women in power positions more of a thing in sports in general.

In a step in the right direction, Hammon was promoted to lead assistant coach on the San Antonio Spurs.

And BTW ... Mallory won't just be on the sidelines, she told us multiple times she wants to follow in her dad's footsteps and own a team one day ... CONTROLLING ALL ASPECTS OF THE FRANCHISE.

"I think that I'd be all up in it, everyday."

Here's Paul George telling TMZ Sports that L.A. is his spot, then name-dropping Kevin Durant instead of directly saying who the Lakers need to beat the Warriors.

... SO WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!

We got the NBA free agent leaving Catch in Weho Friday night and asked if we can expect more L.A. sightings of him (translation: is he coming to the Lakers?), but he wouldn't bite ... instead just telling us what we already know about him and L.A.

Paul did give us his ranking of the top 4 small forwards in the league, though -- no big surprises ... but Jimmy Butler and Giannis Antetokounmpo might have something to say about it.

But all the mystery of this vid is overshadowed by the sad tale of our cameraman and his shoes ... check it out.

The place where Wilt Chamberlain famously banged a large portion of his alleged 20,000 hookups is for sale ... and can be yours for a small fee of $18.99 MILLION!!

You know the story ... the NBA legend claimed the number of women he slept with was in the tens of thousands -- and the mansion that harbored his "sex room" and presumably the majority of those trysts has now hit the market.

Sadly ... most of the features that made it Wilt's -- mink-lined waterbed floors, mirror-covered walls and a golden bathtub -- have been remodeled.

But the place is still dope ... featuring six bedrooms, six bathrooms, 7,158 square feet ... and gated parking for 20-plus cars!!

Dikembe Mutombo is a Georgetown basketball legend, and one of the biggest supporters of the Hoyas you could ever imagine, so you'd figure his HUGE son would be destined for bball in D.C.

Doesn't seem like it.

We got Mutombo out at LAX with his son 15-year-old Ryan Mutombo, who AT 6'9" is already making some noise on the prep basketball scene.

Our guy asked if Ryan would be interested in pairing up with LeBron James Jr. to make a second generation super-team, and Dikembe said yes, on one condition.

"They can go to Georgetown."

But, then we ask Ryan where he wants to go, and he didn't hesitate to stab Pops in his long-ass back with two words ... "North Carolina."

Dikembe's response? HE DROPPED THE FINGER WAG AT HIS OWN KID!!!

Allen Crabbe is a new hero in L.A. ... 'cause the NBA star just forked over enough cash to save an entire high school!!

Frederick K.C. Price III Christian School in south Los Angeles was set to shut its doors for good this week after it lost the backing from a local church -- until the Brooklyn Nets star caught wind of it.

Crabbe -- who attended the prestigious inner-city school from the time he was in diapers to when he graduated some 18 years later -- agreed to supply the funding to keep the school ticking.

Unclear how much he actually kicked in for the cause ... but sources tell TMZ Sports it was a substantial 6-figure check.

“I was at that school practically my whole life,” Allen says. “I’m just happy and feel blessed to be in a position now to do this.”

Thanks to Crabbe ... 175 kids don't have to find a new school next year -- and school officials are calling it a "miracle."

Here's something no Laker fans (or even Cleveland fans) wanna see -- LeBron James throwing himself off a cliff!!!

But, yeah, it happened ...

LeBron and his superstar kid, Bronny, scaled a cliff in Anguilla on Thursday and essentially dared each other to jump ... which is insane considering the whole risk/reward thing.

LBJ Jr. showed pops how it's done -- jumping without hesitation -- but, when it came time for Daddy to go, he froze up like J.R. Smith in Game 1.

Don't worry, Bron eventually took the leap ... after trying to hype himself up while standing on the ledge.

"It's all about America goddammit," LeBron yelled ... "LET'S GO! LET'S GO! LET'S GO!"

One final war cry -- "BLACK EXCELLENCE!!!"

And then, he jumped.

Bron later commented, "Excuse my language."

Amar'e Stoudemire says he's not ready to walk away from pro basketball -- telling TMZ Sports he's aiming to return to the NBA next season.

The 35-year-old big man hasn't played in the Association since May 2016 -- but, he kept himself busy playing overseas and now he's competing in Ice Cube's BIG3 league.

But, Stoudemire believes there's a solid market in the NBA for a veteran big man -- and he's ready to get back to work.

"I feel great," Stoudemire told us at CC Sabathia's charity softball game at Yankees Stadium ... "I feel like I'm in top shape."

If the NBA doesn't work out, Stoudemire says he'd considering playing in Israeli basketball league again ... but, it's clear his priority is the NBA.