Baxter Holmes
@Baxter
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LA-based (and James Beard Award-winning) Senior NBA Writer for @espn. ex-@latimes, @bostonglobe. Oklahoman. Signal: baxterholmes.01 [email protected]
Los Angeles, CA
Joined December 2008
“If the commissioner comes in and investigates to see what the f--- is going on in Phoenix, [he] would be appalled.” Based on interviews w/ 70+ current & former employees throughout his 17-year tenure as owner, my story on Robert Sarver’s Phoenix Suns:
espn.com
An ESPN investigation, featuring interviews with more than 70 current and former Suns employees, reveals accusations of racism and misogyny against owner Robert Sarver -- and a toxic workplace many...
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For years the NBA world has dissected every word from Giannis Antetokoumpo. But the men who will decide whether he’s traded from the Bucks say it’s what he does that matters most. “Giannis is going into the last year [of his contract]," Bucks co-owner Wes Edens told ESPN. "So one
espn.com
As the Giannis trade watch enters another offseason, a rare ownership structure and financial turmoil have left opposing teams wondering: Who's in charge here?
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NEWS: A lawsuit between Suns owner Mat Ishbia and two Suns minority owners is expected to head to mediation, which could lead to Ishbia buying out the last two holdovers from the Robert Sarver ownership group — and increasing his own stake to 96%:
espn.com
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and two Suns minority owners are heading to a confidential binding mediation that could result in Ishbia buying out the minority owners' 13% stake in the team.
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Advancing commitment to journalism, ESPN hires 6 standout former Washington Post writers Hirings highlight continued focus on high-impact journalism & storytelling More: https://t.co/fPMdjmpNaQ
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New story: Deandre Ayton is a tantalizing talent - tall, strong and athletic, with a soft touch. His success in LA will depend on how he applies that talent for a team in need of a specific role
espn.com
Deandre Ayton and the Lakers are entering the most crucial stretch of the season. The question is: Will he accept the role they desperately need him to play?
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NEW: Nearly 10 years ago, Kobe Bryant declared “Mamba out” in his final words as a Los Angeles Laker. But years before he assumed the black mamba persona, Nike created a campaign built around the snake for someone else – Michael Jordan. https://t.co/V5c1Zh4aNn
espn.com
In late 2002, Nike began creating a global campaign featuring the black mamba -- and presented it to an NBA superstar. That star was not Kobe Bryant.
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“Basketball language is like a different language.” English is the second (or third or fourth) language for a lot of NBA players, and I always wondered which language those guys used to think the game. So we asked. ESPN story:
espn.com
For many of today's NBA All-Stars, English is their second language, and that impacts how they think about the game.
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Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors finally split after five turbulent years. Inside the misalignment that doomed the relationship. https://t.co/w4n5uxVzz8
espn.com
The Warriors' divorce from Jonathan Kuminga finally came on Feb. 4 when he was traded to the Hawks.
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Jerry Buss built an empire but feared infighting among his children would tear it apart. He was right. "I don’t think my dad would be happy with the way things just went down,” said one. "Not at all.” How family dysfunction & discord fueled the $10B sale:
espn.com
The post-Jerry Buss era was defined by resentment, dysfunction and conflict -- and ended with the loss of the most valuable family-owned franchise in the world.
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NEWS: Attorneys representing Steve Ballmer are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges the Clippers owner funneled money to star Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration, calling the allegations “sensational” and “patently false,” according to court documents:
espn.com
Attorneys representing Steve Ballmer are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit that alleges the LA Clippers owner participated in a fraud by funneling money to star Kawhi Leonard through a now-defunct green...
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New ESPN feature: This year’s Lakers are pushed by a trash-talking, joke-cracking, high-scoring duo in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves - whose relationship on and off the court will be key to the team reaching its full potential
espn.com
The success and virality of this duo is doing more than quiet the typical noise around the Lakers. It also might transition the franchise fully into its post-LeBron era.
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What was so bad that the Clippers needed to urgently send future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul home from a road trip in the middle of the night? @ramonashelburne takes a look inside the ugly Chris Paul-Clippers divorce — and a season on the brink of disaster.
espn.com
A future Hall of Famer at the end of his career, looking for one final ride. Here's why the Chris Paul-Clippers reunion was doomed.
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Chris Paul only spent one season in OKC but left a lasting impression on reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 👀 @BannedMacMahon on how CP3 helped shape the Thunder's budding dynasty ⬇️
espn.com
Paul spent only one season in OKC but left a lasting impression on reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
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NEWS: A less-redacted court filing in a lawsuit against Mat Ishbia includes new financial details that two Phoenix Suns minority owners say could threaten Ishbia's majority ownership of the team.
espn.com
A filing in a lawsuit against Mat Ishbia includes new financial details that two Suns minority owners say could threaten Ishbia's majority ownership.
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Leftovers from my interview with Robert Caro, who reports that he had a "terrific jump shot" and recalled what it was like watching Bill Bradley play at Princeton: https://t.co/Lr0cJGZCXu
NEW: Thunder GM Sam Presti is a huge fan of the legendary historian Robert Caro and frequently cites Caro’s “turn every page” mantra as a guiding light for the powerhouse Thunder. “I am truly touched, if you want to know the truth,” Caro tells ESPN.
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Why can’t my grandfathers books be fueling a KNICKS title run instead? 😂
espn.com
As OKC GM Sam Presti formed a Thunder team built for a dynasty, he was inspired by a man who has been working on the same project for more than 50 years.
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NEW: Thunder GM Sam Presti is a huge fan of the legendary historian Robert Caro and frequently cites Caro’s “turn every page” mantra as a guiding light for the powerhouse Thunder. “I am truly touched, if you want to know the truth,” Caro tells ESPN.
espn.com
As OKC GM Sam Presti formed a Thunder team built for a dynasty, he was inspired by a man who has been working on the same project for more than 50 years.
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NEWS: Two Suns minority owners allege that Mat Ishbia is using the franchise as "his personal piggy bank" & that the Suns' governor has sunken a once profitable team into the red, according to a new lawsuit claiming misconduct and mismanagement by Ishbia.
espn.com
A pair of Phoenix Suns minority owners allege that Mat Ishbia is using the franchise as "his personal piggy bank" in a lawsuit claiming misconduct and mismanagement by the Suns' governor.
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How did Mark Cuban go from claiming control of basketball ops after the Mavs sale to having no more say than any other season-ticket holder? And how much juice has Cuban regained now? My ESPN story explains: https://t.co/OnksazXWvy
espn.com
Here's what led to the end of Nico Harrison's tenure with the Dallas Mavericks 11 games into the season, and how Mark Cuban was involved.
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A special feature on the Thunder’s 2025 NBA Championship rings honors the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. It’s a poignant reminder of the Thunder’s deep connection to the Oklahoma City bombing 30 years ago and the recovery efforts that followed: https://t.co/ehRcWtefAk
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