NBA

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.

Kyle Kuzma knows all about the rumors that he could get shipped out of L.A. -- but tells TMZ Sports he's not bothered by the trade talk ... and assures Lakers fans he wants to stay put.

The NBA star was leaving lunch at Via Alloro in Beverly Hills on Thursday where he told us he can't focus on front office stuff he can't control -- his only option is to work on getting better as a player.

We also talked about Stephen A. Smith's report that LeBron reached out to Kevin Durant about joining the Lakers together ... but Kuz said he ain't buyin' that one at all.

One thing he is excited about ... Zion Williamson -- the high school prodigy who's playing at Duke next year.

Devin Booker ... DeAndre Ayton ... Josh Jackson ... Elfrid Payton -- that sounds like a team LeBron could get down with, right?!?!

"Zero percent chance," Suns vet Jared Dudley says ... "Bron's not coming to Phoenix."

Well, OK then ... where is he going??

"Cleveland or L.A."

We got Jared on Rodeo Dr. earlier this week ... and despite the Suns loading up on young talent the last year or two -- Jared says there's no way in hell LBJ comes to the desert.

"Zero percent chance. He's not coming to Phoenix."

Dudley says it's OK, though ... in fact, he guaranteed Phoenix will be back in the playoffs in no time.

Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons haven't confirmed they're an item yet, but they're already eating from the same fridge, apparently.

Sources tell us the two have been holing up in a $25k/month rental in L.A. It's unclear whose name is on the lease, but they've both been spotted coming in and out of the ultra modern crib frequently, and we're told the lease term is for several months.

The 5 bedroom, 6 bath home has a pool and is centrally located near the Grove and trendy Fairfax area, which explains why they've been spotted around town so much.

Kendall recently purchased Charlie Sheen's old Beverly Hills home, but she's putting some of her own touches on the crib, so this could be her crash pad in the meantime.

La La Anthony says meeting with the family of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz (the boy dragged out of a corner store and murdered) was "super emotional" -- but now she wants justice.

As we previously reported, La La and Carmelo Anthony met with the 15-year-old boy's family to help console them after the senseless stabbing. La La was told Lesandro (aka Junior) was a huge Melo fan.

"I have a son and that story really touched me," La La tells TMZ Sports ... "I wanted to do something to make a difference."

So, what now? La La says the mission is simple -- "We want justice for Junior."

"I just want his family to have some kind of peace."

So far, cops have arrested 8 suspects in the slaying -- alleged gang members -- and Junior's mother has called for all of them to get life in prison.

While LeBron James decides where he's playing next season, he's been balling out in his own private mansion in Anguilla ... at a place that runs $75 GRAND a week!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the Cavs superstar (for now, at least) is living it up at the Anguilla Beach House at Meads Bay ... which is essentially a villa on steroids.

Not only is it a dope pad with 8 master bedrooms, it comes with a TON of bells and whistles ... like a full-time chef, butler, 44-ft infinity pool,home theater, a full food and beverage staff, and direct access to the beach.

It seems like the perfect place for LBJ to get some R&R before the Decision 3.0 ... hell, he might say screw the NBA and just stay here for the rest of his life.

A judge has dismissed the weapons charges against ex-NBA star Ben Gordon -- after Ben cut a fat 5-figure check to the man he allegedly robbed at knifepoint back in November.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... the former Chicago Bulls player was initially arrested for felony robbery after allegedly going to an L.A. apartment building, pulling a blade on the manager and demanding thousands of dollars in cash.

We're told the incident stemmed from a dispute over Ben's security deposit -- which is odd considering Gordon made $84 MILLION during his NBA career.

The charges were later reduced to 4 misdemeanors -- battery, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats and carrying a knife in plain view.

But now, we've learned ALL of the charges have been dismissed after Ben reached a "civil compromise" with the alleged victim.

Our sources say Gordon cut a $25,000 check and the manager decided to back off.

Ice Cube says now that his BIG3 basketball league has legalized CBD medication for pain management -- he truly believes other major sports leagues will follow suit.

The BIG3 made the announcement Tuesday ... saying players are now allowed to use the cannabis compound, cannabidiol (CBD), to treat pain and other medical issues.

"We always change the game," Cube told TMZ Sports in NYC ... "We ahead of the game."

As for plans to legalize THC -- the component of marijuana that gets you high -- Cube isn't ruling that out either somewhere down the line.