NBA

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?

Former NBA star Kevin Garnett is heading for divorce after 14 years of marriage ... TMZ has learned.

According to new legal docs ... Brandi Padilla filed the divorce papers Thursday in L.A. Padilla reportedly lists irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split.

The couple dated for a long time before tying the knot back in July 2004. They have 2 daughters together, ages 10 and 5. Brandi's reportedly asking for physical custody with Kevin getting visitation ... and she's seeking spousal support.

Rookies on Carmelo Anthony's next team -- watch out ... 'cause dude has ZERO CHILL when it comes to the hazing game, so says Iman Shumpert.

We got Iman out in NYC -- where he was in full-on pitch mode for his wifey's new album and gear -- when the topic of how he was going to initiate his new Kings teammate, Marvin Bagley III, to the NBA came up.

Iman seemed timid to the idea ... and when we pressed why -- it turns out Shump was actually the victim of a heinous Melo hazing incident back in his rookie year with the Knicks.

Iman tells us Carmelo made him build out a bowl of entirely green Skittles -- and Shumpert still seems shook by it all.

"What pack do you know of all green Skittles!?" he says.

The worst part of the whole episode?

"I don't even think he ate them."

Spud Webb wiped the casino floor with a bunch of sports stars in a blackjack tourney Wednesday night -- but the best part ... all of his winnings are going to charity.

The ex-NBA star took on guys like Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Ron Harper and Dr. J at the grand opening of the Live! Casino and Hotel in Maryland.

Webb was the last (and shortest) man standing when all the cards fell ... winning the $5,000 grand prize, which he donated to the Boys & Girls Club.

The whole thing was pretty cool ... and Dr. J even roasted his pal, Ron Harper, with a funny golf story.

Here's Floyd Mayweather trying to make peace with the city of Atlanta -- a place where, the last time he was spotted, he was SHOT AT!!

Floyd sat courtside to watch the Hawks' Summer League game in Vegas on Wednesday ... and, when their newest superstar, Trae Young, balled out -- the boxing legend invited him for a postgame chat.

Unclear what the convo was actually about ... but, Floyd didn't seem to have any problem taking pics with ATL's newest hero ...

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.

Miami Heat star Dion Waiters says his squad is a serious contender to win the NBA's Eastern Conference next season now that LeBron James is gone ... telling TMZ Sports, "We coming!"

"This year, the East is wide open," Waiters says ... "So, why not us?!"

Speaking of LeBron, Waiters played on the Cavs back before LeBron returned for his 2nd stint in Cleveland ... so we asked if he had any advice for the new LeBron-less Cleveland team.

"Man up!!! You know, it's a great opportunity for some of the young guys to go out and try to prove themselves. This is the opportunity you look forward to!"

And with young talent like Cedi Osman and Collin Sexton burning up the NBA summer league -- they should take Dion's advice to heart.

Michael B. Jordan would make that other Michael Jordan so proud. Hot chick in tow? Yes. Cigar in hand? Hell yeah. Chugging booze from a bottle? No doubt.

The "Black Panther" star was spotted turning up with his rumored GF, Ashlyn Castro, at the ritzy VIP Room nightclub in St. Tropez. It got real steamy in the club ... and it had nothing to do with Mike's cigar.

Check out the pics ... MBJ -- who, btw, is rocking a sweet Elvis tee -- and Ashlyn were all over each other ... grinding, sucking face and living it up. Just like you-know-who.

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.

Caroline Wozniacki seems devastated after losing at Wimbledon, doesn't she?!

Just days after the tennis superstar got bounced from the tourney, she and her NBA fiance, David Lee, jetted over to Capri, Italy ... where they're yachting, relaxing and taking bikini pics.

Yeah, she's clearly heartbroken.

Also, Wednesday is Caroline's 28th birthday -- and, judging from her vacation pics, she seems WAY happier being in sunny Capri than cloudy England.

Plus, this way, Caro gets to show off her insane physique -- which she did in the 2016 and 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition (awesome, btw).

As for the whole Wimbledon thing, Wozniacki lost in the 2nd round to Russian star Ekaterina Makarova ... after a swarm of flying ants invaded the court.

No flying ants in Capri ... just sayin'.

Ex-UCLA star and renowned basketball trainer Billy Knight was found dead in Phoenix on Sunday after posting an apparent video suicide note ... cops confirm to TMZ Sports.

The 39-year-old posted a YouTube video early Sunday morning saying it was "probably my last message on Earth" ... and noting, "My time is up."

In the video, an emotional Knight talks about depression and apologizes to friends and family. He also advises people suffering from mental illness to seek help, so they don't end up like him.

Shortly after the video was posted, the Phoenix P.D. says officers found Knight's body in a roadway in downtown Phoenix.

Officers say, "No evidence of foul play was detected," but the body has been sent to the Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death.

Knight broke out at UCLA in 2001 -- when he started all 33 games and averaged 14 points on 46 percent shooting from the floor.

After going undrafted in 2002, he played in the NBA's D-league for a bit before heading overseas.

The news of Knight's death has rocked the basketball community ... with ex-NBA star Matt Barnes saying, "Rest Easy My Brotha! Your summer time beach workouts had me in the best shape of my life to start every season!"

R.I.P.

Here's Gordon Hayward getting the news he's about to have a 3RD baby girl -- a blessing, obviously -- but, he REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted a boy.

At least, that's the way it comes off in his new gender reveal video -- in which his wife and 2 daughters give the Boston Celtics star a box with colored balloons inside.

When he opens it up and sees pink, he can hardly contain his ... excitement?

"Is daddy happy?!" His wife, Robyn, asks.

"Daddy's always happy," Gordon says as he kicks a balloon.

Guess if he wants a baby boy eventually -- he's gonna have to make it like he does at TD Garden ... and keep on shooting.

Remember, Chris Paul gave advice to Kobe Bryant a few years ago when Mamba learned he was having a 3rd girl ... "Keep going 'til you get a boy."

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.