LeBron James does not intend to play a significant role in any offseason roster moves the Los Angeles Lakers make. 

The Lakers missed the NBA playoffs after finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record, resulting in head coach Frank Vogel being fired after a frustrating campaign.

James and Anthony Davis were reportedly particularly influential in the decision for Los Angeles to blow up their roster with a trade for Russell Westbrook last year, who endured a disappointing season. 

It seems James will now take a back seat during an impending roster shake up, insisting his focus is solely on leading the team that the Lakers put on the floor. 

"It's human nature to start thinking about the roster and what it could look like and how we could have a roster that brings in more wins," said James, speaking to the media prior to the announcement of Vogel's dismissal.

"I've started to think about it a little bit. It's not solely on me obviously, but we definitely want to be better coming into next year. 

"It's not my decision to sit here and say, 'Well, this is what we should bring back and have on the roster.' That would be the front office's decision. 

"Obviously they may ask for my input, but at the end of the day, they'll make the decision they feel best suits this franchise going forward. 

"I think the front office is gonna do whatever it takes to help this ball club become better. 

"It's my job to make sure I'm ready at the start of training camp, ready to lead the franchise and the team that's put on the floor. That is my focus."

James will turn 38 next season, which will be his 20th in the league, but he remains keen to help the Lakers win another championship, and insisted that only his physical condition would decide how much longer he remains in the NBA.

"I came here to win a championship and I want to win more," he added. "I accomplished what I wanted to, but I'm still hungry for more.

"I'm confident this organisation wants the same. It's what this organisation has always been about. 

"How long [will] I play? It's up to my health. It's up to my spirit, my motivation ... I don't have a cap on how long I want to play, I don't want to say this or that. 

"My wife doesn't wanna hear that if it's longer than a certain amount of years! But I can still produce at a high level as I showed this year, for sure."

Carlos Alcaraz is hopeful of meeting Novak Djokovic in the Monte-Carlo Masters, but his first focus is on a second-round tie with Sebastian Korda. 

Alcaraz is one of the brightest prospects on the ATP Tour, with the 18-year-old Spaniard having won his first Masters title at the Miami Open and become the youngest men's champion of that tournament. 

That was Alcaraz's second title of 2022 and third overall. He is now up to 11th in the ATP world rankings. 

Seeded eighth, Alcaraz has been handed a bye to the second round but is in the same quarter of the draw as world number one Djokovic, who has triumphed twice in Monte Carlo. 

Alcaraz, though, is making sure not to get ahead of himself and think too much about a maiden meeting with Djokovic, with American Korda – who defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in his first-round match – first up. 

"I don't want to be in a rush, I just focus on the first [match]," Alcaraz told reporters ahead of what is a rematch of the Next Gen ATP Finals championship match which he won in straight sets. 

"Obviously, it would be a great match against Novak. 

"Playing against the number one player in the world [would be] amazing for me, but I hope to play well in the first [matches] and hope to meet him in the quarter-finals." 

Alcaraz seems set to have a future at the very top of the game but is insisting everything must be taken step by step. 

"Sometimes it is difficult, but I am trying to make it easy," he said. 

"Doing everything for the first time, I am trying my best, trying to manage the nerves of the first time well." 

Taylor Fritz, who won a Masters title at Indian Wells earlier this year, could also be standing in the way of Alcaraz and the quarter-finals, should the American defeat wildcard Lucas Catarina and Marin Cilic. 

Djokovic, on the other hand, faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in his first match. 

Former Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro says the Bianconeri can still win the Scudetto this season, insisting Massimiliano Allegri's men have a chance in a "four-man race" for the title.

Cannavaro noted the slip-ups of Juventus' rivals as a reason for his belief in his former club's chances, claiming "it seems that nobody wants to win" Serie A.

The legendary centre-back also demanded far-reaching changes across Italian football in response to the Azzurri's recent failure to reach this year's Qatar World Cup, but would not be drawn on talk he could replace Roberto Mancini as the national team's coach.

Juventus are six points behind leaders Milan with six games remaining, and narrowed the gap on their rivals over the weekend, beating Cagliari 2-1 before Milan drew 0-0 with Torino and Napoli lost 3-2 to Fiorentina.

Juventus have now won three consecutive away league games for the first time this season, and the 48-year-old, who left the club for Real Madrid after captaining Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, believes Allegri's men remain in the hunt.

"It seems that nobody wants to win it," the 2006 Ballon D'or winner said at an event in Tuscany. "The feeling is that when there is the chance to make a difference, something always happens.

"The championship is always open, anything can happen. Seeing the results of those ahead [of Juventus], it's a four-man race.

"We know Juventus, they never give up, it is certainly a championship that can give us surprises.

"It's a strange championship, when you have the chance to knock the others off [the top], nobody does. It's a championship that anyone can win, all four of them. If the results are [to continue like] these, it will be an interesting ending ".

If Juventus were to win the title, it would represent their 10th Scudetto in 11 years, and their sixth under the tutelage of Allegri.

Cannavaro was also asked about his country's second consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup after Italy suffered a shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia last month.

"It hurts," he said of the failure to reach Qatar. "After 2006, we are no longer able to [have our] say at the World Cup, which has always seen us as protagonists.

"Beyond this, this resignation to the fact that it has to be like this saddens me. It is a shame, there are generations [of Italians] that have not seen a final phase [of a World Cup].

"We need to change quickly. I don't have the cure, I don't have the recipe, it's not up to me.

"It [the Italian Football Federation] is an organisation that doesn't work. Before, the [Italian] teams went to Europe and commanded, we went to Champions League finals, now we haven't reached it for years.

"It [talk of Cannavaro succeeding Mancini] is normal. You can't focus on one man, but on a system that has failed for too many years. I haven't heard from anyone."

Stan Wawrinka's ATP Tour return at the Monte-Carlo Masters ended in defeat, while Jannik Sinner came through a tense encounter with Borna Coric. 

The former world number three made his comeback after more than a year out with a left foot injury that required two surgeries but fell to a 3-6 7-5 6-2 defeat to Alexander Bublik in the first round. 

Wawrinka, who entered the tournament as a wildcard having slipped to 236 in the world rankings, came from a break down to take the opening set but fatigue eventually set in and he was eliminated after two hours and seven minutes. 

"I think the body's getting much better," said Wawrinka, who lost in straight sets to Elias Ymer at a Challenger tournament in Marbella two weeks ago. 

"I'm still far away from where I want to be, but I think I'm [going in] the right direction. I think today was a positive match. It was a tough loss, of course, but I'm happy with the way I was playing today. 

"I was playing better, feeling better on the court physically. I spent a lot of mental energy to focus, to stay there as it was tough at the end. But I'm happy with what I have done."

Ninth seed Sinner was taken the distance by Coric before completing a 6-3 2-6 6-3 victory to advance to the second round. 

Sinner took a medical timeout in the second set while he dealt with some apparent abdominal pain, but he was able to battle back and take the win. 

Diego Schwartzman needed over three hours to come from behind and defeat Karen Khachanov 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-3, while his fellow Argentine Federico Delbonis set up a clash with second seed Alexander Zverev by besting Jaume Munar 6-4 3-6 6-4. 

Reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas faces a meeting with Fabio Fognini in the second round after the Italian overcame Arthur Rinderknech 7-5 4-6 6-3.  

There were also wins for Hubert Hurkacz, Pablo Carreno Busta, Marin Cilic, Alex de Minaur, Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Sebastian Korda. 

Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini intends to continue enjoying his football and will evaluate his future soon amid ongoing speculation over a contract renewal or a departure.

The Italy veteran has appeared 16 times for Juve in Serie A this season in a campaign that has been hampered by injuries and COVID-19.

Leonardo Bonucci and Matthijs De Ligt have taken up the mantle at the heart of defence in his absence, with Massimilano Alllegri's side fourth in the league, six points behind leaders Milan.

Chiellini's contract is set to expire at the end of the next season, leading to questions about retirement or a potential exit from Turin.

Reports in Italy suggest the option of an MLS move may be on the cards, but for the meantime, Chiellini is focused on this season with Juve.

"I'm happy, serene, I have to understand and evaluate many things," Chiellini, who has played for Juve since 2004, said on Monday. 

"In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the matches I play."

The centre-back's agent, Davide Lippi, son of Italy’s World Cup-winning coach Marcello, echoed Chiellini's sentiments when speaking to Sky Sport Italia.

"It's still early to talk about it," he said of a renewal for Chiellini. "It is too early to talk about his future, he is very focused on Juventus and is only thinking of closing the season in the best possible way."

As for a move to the United States, Lippi added: "We are talking about an international athlete. We do not know where he will be, but there will be no shortage of offers.

"With such a player you need patience to make decisions."

Former Real Madrid and Colombia midfielder Freddy Rincon is in critical condition after suffering a "severe head trauma" in a reported road traffic accident. 

According to local media, Rincon's car was hit by a bus in the early hours of Monday morning in Cali. He was taken to the Imbanaco Clinic for surgery. 

Clinic director Laureano Quintero told reporters: "Freddy Eusebio Rincon was admitted this morning as a victim of severe head trauma. His condition is very critical.

"He was taken to our operating room area and from there to the intensive care area. All the pertinent care will be applied and our team of specialists will do everything necessary.

"This is the current situation and we repeat, the situation is critical."

Rincon made 21 appearances for Madrid in the 1995-96 season and earned 84 caps for Colombia. 

A statement from Madrid read: "All of our strength and affection for Freddy Rincon following the accident he was involved in today. We send our encouragement and we hope that he overcomes this difficult moment as soon as possible." 

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will go down as two of the very best managers, with their rivalry hailed as "incredible" by Albert Riera.

Guardiola's Manchester City lead the way by a point in the Premier League after their draw with Klopp's Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

It was a repeat of the scoreline from the reverse fixture earlier this season, and is the first time since 2012-13 that they have shared two draws in one league campaign.

A topsy turvy match saw Diogo Jota hit back for Liverpool after Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring, with Sadio Mane cancelling out Gabriel Jesus' strike.

The teams will meet again in the FA Cup semi-finals and Riera, who played for both clubs, is fascinated by the rivalry and the skills of both managers.

"If I ask you what you consider playing well, one coach will answer one way and another in another way," Riera told Stats Perform. 

"One may say that if he wins, he plays well. Another will tell you to start from behind and reach the striker without the opponent touching the ball, but if you lose, that is not valid either. 

"This is the beauty of football, if there was a system that guarantees us to win, we would all play the same. 

"They are obviously two of the best and [two of] those who motivate you. I like to see how they work."

He added: "For the spectators and those of us who watch it from the outside, it's incredible to be able to see a game like this.

"I think we all know the way City play, wanting to defend with possession of the ball and even against an aggressive team like Liverpool who want to get the ball back, but this time it cost them, because City want it at all costs. 

"On the other hand, Liverpool's transitions are spectacular. You can't see many teams where the two full-backs reach the attack, that's something very difficult to see."

Riera also believes that, with City and Liverpool acting as the driving forces in recent seasons, the Premier League is the most intense competition in world football.

"At the rhythm level, the Premier League is unmatched with other leagues," Riera continued. "In England, the 90 or 95 minutes that the game lasts is [played] at full speed.

"Obviously Liverpool and Manchester City are at an impressive level, and it is difficult to see that Brentford or Burnley can beat them. But I have the memory that anyone can beat anyone [in the Premier League] because they are not afraid, and they go out on the field to attack.

"This is the most beautiful [league]."

Liverpool are now winless in five league matches against City (three draws, two defeats), but are bidding to reach a first FA Cup final since 2012 when they go head-to-head again on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Frank Vogel after they missed out on the NBA playoffs.

Vogel stated that he had not been told he would lose his job after the Lakers ended a poor season with a 146-141 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

The 48-year-old was relieved of his duties by the 17-time NBA champions on Monday, though, almost three years after he was appointed.

Vogel guided the Lakers to the NBA title in his first season in charge two years ago, but they were beaten by the Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the playoffs in 2021.

The Lakers endured a 2021-22 season to forget, finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record, and Vogel has paid the price. 

Lakers vice-president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said: "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank both on and off the court. 

"Frank is a great coach and a good man. We will forever be grateful to him for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20 NBA championship. 

"This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point. All of us here wish Frank and his wonderful family all the best for the future." 

England great James Anderson is "still trying to make sense" of being dropped for the West Indies tour and is disappointed with the manner in which he was informed.

Lancashire bowler Anderson was omitted by England as they opted for a new-look squad, led by interim coach Paul Collingwood, to the Caribbean for a three-Test series in March.

Fellow seamer Stuart Broad was also left out as Joe Root's tourists, without the pair that have 1,177 Test wickets between them, fell to a 1-0 series defeat against Kraigg Brathwaite's hosts.

Anderson, who is England's leading Test wicket-taker in history with 640 dismissals, remains confused by the decision, citing a lack of contact and feedback as his main issue.

"It's a bit strange because I am still centrally contracted but have not had too much feedback from them [England] so I have just been trying to work with the guys here at Lancashire," he said.

"I'm still trying to make sense of it [being dropped] and I've just put it to one side. It was completely out of my control. I've got to focus on what I can control and that is bowling as well as I possibly can.

"Firstly, that's here at Lancashire this next two months and take as many wickets as I can."

Chris Silverwood was dismissed in the wake of a 4-0 Ashes thrashing and the ECB are in search of a permanent coaching appointment, along with a new managing director.

Anderson understands England are going through a difficult period, but explained he expected more than a "five-minute call" from interim director Andrew Strauss.

"I would have loved a sit-down face-to-face. I would have loved more than a five-minute phone call," he continued.

"It is difficult because there is no one in those key positions [at England]. I would expect to hear something more once those positions are filled. There's no one in those positions permanently so I am assuming that is why I have not heard anything from them.

"It is what it is. Something like this for me is quite a big deal because it came out of the blue and I still feel like I am bowling well. I'm still in the top ten in the world rankings.

"I still feel like I am doing a job for the team. So I feel like I've got a lot to offer, not just on the field but off it, and I've really enjoyed working with the other bowlers that are coming through."

Anderson has not been permitted by England to play in Lancashire's first County Championship match against Kent, which starts on Thursday, due to his central contract.

However, the 39-year-old will be allowed to feature in the second red-ball fixture with Gloucestershire as he looks to again prove his worth to England ahead of their next Test series with New Zealand, which begins in June.

That meeting with Kane Williamson's tourists remains Anderson's sole aim for now.

"If I think of the build-up to a Test series, I want to be in as good a form as possible going into that series," he said.

"For me, the best way of doing that is performing for Lancashire, trying to win games of cricket, and hopefully will lead to a call-up."

The Premier League title is firmly in the control of Manchester City, according to former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey who cannot see the leaders relinquishing their grasp.

Pep Guardiola's reigning champions played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with fellow title contenders Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday, leaving City just a point ahead of the Reds.

Both teams still have Champions League quarter-final second legs to contend with on Wednesday, while the pair will again meet in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Once those cup competitions are out the way, the focus will turn back to the Premier League, where City and Liverpool have seven games left to play each.

Guardiola acknowledged that his side must win every one of those league fixtures to defend their top-flight crown, and Heskey believes City will be lifting the title once more come the end of the season.

"It's a tough one, isn't it? I looked at Liverpool's run and I think it's a bit more difficult than Man City's," Heskey, who played for Liverpool between 2000 and 2004, told Stats Perform. 

"You never know with Man City. I always say for Man City they are a team that can really blast teams out the water, six, seven-nil, but they've got a one-nil loss in them.

"They very rarely, even though they got to draw yesterday, they very rarely draw. But I don't see them losing another game, if I'm honest, in the league, at least anyway.

"So I see it as City's to throw away to be honest with you. I would have said if Liverpool had won that game, I would have said 60-40 in Liverpool's favour to be honest.

"But now, because they drew the game, one less game now. I think it's City's to throw away and I can't see them losing any games."

Guardiola also conceded City may have offered Liverpool a chance after they failed to capitalise on their dominance in what was billed as the title decider.

Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus struck either side of Diogo Jota's equaliser as Jurgen Klopp's side headed into half-time trailing in the league for the first time this season.

But Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane linked up just 46 seconds after the interval, with the latter restoring parity as he delivered a priceless equaliser to keep Liverpool's title and quadruple hopes alive.

Heskey suggested the result will favour Klopp's Reds, given the resilience they had to show to fight to stay in the game for large parts.

"One hundred per cent, but you've got to ride your luck at times," he added when asked if Liverpool would be happier with the result. "You've got to be able to take them opportunities and big clubs manage to ride their luck at times, but their finishing at times is exceptional.

"So they rode their luck at times and stayed in the game. And once you stay in the game and when you've got firepower like Mane, Salah and Jota, and [Luis] Diaz and [Roberto] Firmino to come on later, you've always in with a chance.

"At times, you've got to have that fight and that grit to know that you've got to bite down in five minutes because they're going to be all over you. And if anyone can be all over you, Man City can, because they're relentless in the way they attack.

"But once you start fighting down and you start getting into the game yourself, I thought they'd done fantastic, especially the second half was brilliant.

"I think Liverpool controlled a large part of that. It was fantastic to see them actually show that resilience and get through like sticky periods during the game."

The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed multi-year contract extensions with head coach Chris Finch and his staff.

Finch's Timberwolves fell to a 124-120 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday to conclude their regular season with a commendable 46-36 record in the Western Conference.

Minnesota finished seventh in the West to secure home-court advantage in the NBA Play-In tournament, in which they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

The Timberwolves will be boosted by the confirmation of the extension for Finch, who is in his first full season in charge after being appointed in February 2021 following the firing of Ryan Saunders.

A former assistant coach in Houston, Denver, New Orleans, and Toronto, Finch expressed his delight at having the chance to build on this impressive campaign.

"I am thankful to [majority owner] Glen [Taylor], Becky and the entire ownership group for their ongoing support and commitment," he said. 

"It's been a season that all of us, including our fans can be proud of and I'm grateful that my staff will continue to lead us forward."

The Timberwolves ownership group added: "Chris has done a tremendous job creating stability and consistency for this franchise and building a winning mentality.

"We look forward to supporting him throughout the years while he continues achieving the goals he and his staff have set out for the team."

Finch has overseen 62 wins with the Timberwolves, the fourth-most in the team's history, while the 52-year-old guided Minnesota to 20 road wins in the 2021-22 campaign for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

The Timberwolves also lead the NBA this season in points-per-game (115.9) for the first time in the franchise's history, along with a league-leading 1,211 three-pointers and 1,339 turnovers forced.