Los Angeles Lakers

Big offseason for L.A. Lakers forward Julius Randle ... who just proposed to his smokin' hot model girlfriend with a diamond that's bigger than her knuckle!!

The 21-year-old NBA player popped the question to Kendra Shaw during a romantic getaway to Greece ... and clearly, she said "Yes."

Randle started dating Shaw during his 1st season at the University of Kentucky -- and decided it was time to lock it up for good!

We're working on the ring details -- but DAMN ... we're guessin' it wasn't cheap.

There might be one person more excited about Kobe training Shaq's kid than Shaq's kid ... Rick Fox ... who says the Mamba Obi-Wanning Diesel's offspring truly "warms his heart."

We broke the story ... Kobe has offered to personally mentor Shareef O'Neal -- a high school superstar who's already received scholarship offers from some pretty huge schools. Shareef told us he's pumped about it.

And so is Rick ... who was a part of those legendary Lakers teams with Shaq and Kobe, and knows firsthand how bad things got between the two of them.

But that's why Rick says it's so special to see Kobe reaching out -- saying Mamba's gesture shows how much respect the two really have for each other.

DeMar DeRozan's days in the six might be numbered ... that's according to his best friend and former teammate, Romeo Miller, who says he knows where DeRozan is headed ... and he strongly suggests it's L.A.

We got Romeo out at The Grove and asked him about DeMar ... who will be one of the most coveted free agents of the NBA off-season.

Romeo would be the guy to ask ... he and DeRozan have been best friends for years, growing up together and playing college ball at USC.

Check out the clip ... it's been reported DeMar wants to bolt the north for L.A. and Romeo adds to that fire ... hinting STRONGLY that he knows the Lakers are the right spot for his best pal.

D'Angelo Russell says he's ready to move on from the infamous crime against bromanity back in March -- but tells TMZ Sports the ball is ultimately in Nick Young's court.

We got the Lakers #2 pick out in Kentucky this weekend -- and asked him straight up if he and Swaggy P will be cool next season ... after shooting that video that nearly cost Nick his fiancee.

"I don't know," Russell admitted ... "Only time will tell, right?"

There's more in the clip -- but it seems D'Angelo feels he's done all he can do to repair the friendship.

He's 36 years old ... but Metta World Peace says he ain't ready to ride off into the sunset just yet -- telling TMZ Sports he hopes to return to the Lakers for his 17th season!

Metta was out at a charity event at Bootsy Bellows nightclub -- when we asked if we should look for him back in purple and gold next season.

"We'll see ... hopefully," Metta told us.

He also dropped this Metta-ism ...

"Golden State, they're the best team ever ... but the Lakers are the best team in the world."

Can you picture LeBron James in L.A.?

Magic Johnson says he can ... and has now called for the Lakers to start pursuing LeBron in case he decides to bolt from Cleveland.

Johnson went to Twitter and said, "The Lakers should call LeBron James agent. We know he's going stay in CLE but they should go after him just in case he leaves."

There's been all sorts of speculation about Bron's future -- especially after he unfollowed the Cavs on Twitter earlier in the season. Johnson sees it as a major opportunity.

But James isn't the only huge star MJ wants to recruit -- "The first free agent the Lakers should go after is Kevin Durant."

**WARNING -- EXPLICIT LANGUAGE**

This is hysterical ...

Adam Sandler and David Spade just totally nailed the whole D'Angelo Russell/Nick Young video situation ... in a hilarious send-up spoof video.

The clip has Adam playing the part of poor D'Angelo with Spade as the unsuspecting Nick Young getting all his personal business pried out of him.

The title of the video -- "BroCode?"

Nick Young forgot all about his former high school basketball coach when he made it big in the NBA ... at least that's what the guy's saying in a new lawsuit.

Wanna own a piece of the actual Staples Center hardwood from Kobe Bryant's legendary final game? Well, now you can ... if you've got A TON of cash to spend.

The Lakers have announced ... the 3 panels that made up the custom #8 that was on the court when Kobe dropped 60 are going up for auction as a single item -- starting bid is $10,000.

And check this out ... proceeds from the sale will benefit the Lakers Youth Foundation -- which helps underprivileged kids.

As for the #24 that was also on the court that day -- the Lakers say that will be displayed as artwork in the new Lakers practice facility.

Not every ex-Laker had a glorious Wednesday night ... 'cause Kobe's former teammate D.J. Mbenga was straight DENIED from a Hollywood nightclub ... moments after watching the Mamba's last strike.

It went down at Warwick where D.J. -- who was on court to hug Kobe after the finale -- wanted to get a little turnt up after a perfect night in Laker land.

That turn up never happened ... D.J. and his crew were left standing outside the party although he was still in good enough spirits to talk to our photog ... and flash his NBA championship ring.

BTW ... we asked the bouncer why he Mutombo'd Mbenga ... he told our guy "D.J. showed up with 5 dudes AND because I'm a Warriors fan! I'm celebrating 73 wins over here tonight!"

Cold, cold world.

Some people think the Utah Jazz laid down and LET Kobe Bryant drop 60 on 'em Wednesday night a la the Washington Generals ... but Marlon Wayans says BS -- they're just that bad.

In fact, Marlon told us ... the Jazz team name would be more accurate if they dropped the J.

Sorry, Lakers ... the Zen Master is NOT returning to L.A. -- this according to Phil Jackson's fiancee Jeanie Buss.

The rumors have been swirling for months ... with several NBA insiders hinting that Jackson may have a secret exit strategy in place to leave his gig as president of the Knicks and return to Laker Land.

But Jeanie (co-owner and president of the Lakers) says it's 100% BS -- telling TMZ Sports, "Don't listen to that ... Phil is in New York. He signed a 5 year deal."

As for rumors that Kobe Bryant may join the Lakers front office -- Jeanie says, "Kobe can do whatever he wants."

How does Mamba celebrate an insane 60-point farewell game??? POPPIN' DOM IN THE LOCKER ROOM!!!

Despite the fact he looked drained at the end of that legendary performance, the 37-year-old retiree somehow mustered up the energy to celebrate with champagne in the locker room.

#MambaOut

How did Kobe's teammates feel about dishing Mamba the ball 50 TIMES Wednesday night??

They were happy to oblige ... so says Lakers center Roy Hibbert.

"We knew that it was his time and we let him get as many shots as he wanted," Hibbert told TMZ Sports after a celebratory dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.

Kobe Bryant got a send-off worthy of a great Hollywood finale -- with Staples Center packed full of celebrities ... the usual suspects and many more.

Jack Nicholson, Leo DiCaprio, Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg were on hand -- but so were Jay Z, Lamar Odom and Kanye West.

Flea has a message for all the people who ripped his version of the National Anthem at the Lakers game Wednesday night -- YOU'RE WRONG!!