Dillon Brooks didn’t need much time to go after the Lakers.
On a stream with Neon, the Suns wing made it clear he doesn’t see much ahead for Los Angeles now that LeBron James is gone.
"Oh, Lakers are sweet," said Brooks on a stream with Neon.
"They're so sweet. They're about to get... if Luka [Doncic] don't average 40 [points per game they're cooked]."
Brooks has built a reputation on leaning into the heat, and he didn’t exactly soften his stance on the Lakers even after James moved on to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. He was also critical of James after that departure.
"I think he's doing everything he can to get a last little ring," said Brooks.
The Lakers are now in a post-James setup with Doncic and Walker Kessler, Austin Reaves + more on the roster. They’re not being viewed as championship favorites the way they were with James, but they should still remain competitive.
That shift could matter for Phoenix, too. The Suns brought back their main free agents this offseason after making the postseason, and with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers sitting in play-in tournament territory, Phoenix has a path to its first Pacific Division title since the 2021-22 season.
Brooks also has his own situation to sort out. He’s heading into the final year of his current contract and is still hoping for a new extension with the Suns before the season begins. Suns leadership has already made it clear they want him around long term.
"He cares, and he leads. And when he speaks, people listen because he puts in the work," Suns owner Mat Ishbia told reporters at the team's end of season press conference.
"... I love Dillon Brooks. Excited for him to continue to be here and be a huge part of our organization."
If Brooks does land a new deal, he’ll be sticking around the Valley for a while longer - and the trash talk, especially against Doncic and the Lakers, figures to keep coming.
For now, the exact timing of that extension is still up in the air.
In Other News...
Lakers May Still Be Chasing Athletic Wing Help Before Camp
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One of those options is Peyton Watson, whose situation has drawn sign-and-trade interest from several teams, including the Lakers. For a team still weighing ways to add length and athleticism on the perimeter, that kind of flexible trade candidate is worth monitoring, even if nothing is imminent. If the talks never come together, Watson could eventually reach unrestricted free agency in 2027, keeping this thread alive well beyond the current summer. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Walter Just Set A New Standard For The Lakers
Mark Walter is already sounding like the kind of owner Lakers fans have been waiting for, one who is willing to talk in the language of titles instead of just timelines. Fresh off taking over the franchise, he pointed to his experience with other sports teams and made it clear that the standard in Los Angeles is nothing less than contention, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves among the players he expects to help drive that push.
Walter also acknowledged that getting there will not be simple, which is part of what makes the message resonate. The Lakers have spent too much time talking about the next step instead of the next banner, and Walter promised that championships will return to Los Angeles under his watch, a declaration that instantly raises the pressure and the expectation around everything the franchise does next. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Frontcourt Hole Puts Luka At Center Of Next Big Decision
The Lakers still have a notable opening at starting power forward, and the search to fill it has lingered well into the offseason. After coming up short in their pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga, the front office has kept looking around the league for a frontcourt answer, with the market for bigger bodies now drawing as much attention as any splashier move.
One name that has surfaced is Dallas forward P.J. Washington, a player the Lakers have shown interest in as they try to firm up the lineup around Luka Doncic. A reunion would make sense from Doncics side, and his comfort with Washington is part of what gives the idea some traction, but there is still no agreement in place as the Lakers keep weighing their options. [Read more 🡒]