NBA News Roundup, Sunday, May 5th: LeBron James unhappy in Los Angeles?, Houston takes Game 3, and more

After a somewhat modest showing in round one, the 2019 postseason is starting to kick into full gear. The Houston Rockets are embroiled in a bitter grudge series against a Warriors team looking to win a third consecutive championship, whereas the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks may need seven games to decide a winner.

Elsewhere, the annual NBA draft is less than two months away, and all eyes are on Zion Williamson -- who many experts have labeled as the most promising teenager to enter the NBA since LeBron James did back in 2003.

A number of upcoming free-agents such as Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant will also be up for grabs over the coming months. So, here are all latest news and rumors you need to know for May 5th.

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LeBron James unhappy with Magic Johnson's sudden Lakers exit

Magic Johnson announced his resignation in the final days of the regular season

Magic Johnson surprised the NBA world by resigning ahead of the Lakers' final regular season game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Johnson played a major role in bringing LeBron James to the team last summer, and James expressed his frustration with Johnson's exit during a recent appearance on HBO's The Shop:

Personally, for me, I came here to be a part of the Lakers organisation after having a conversation with Magic, so it was just weird for him to just be like 'Nah, I'm out of here.

We were like, 'Damn, right now?' It was literally 70 minutes on the clock before tip off. (The team) is getting ready for a game. And you decide to do that right here, right now? I feel like there's a time and place for things, and I believe that you knew you were going to make that decision. So why would you do it here? And why would you do it now?

During LeBron's first season in Los Angeles, the Lakers missed on the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

Houston defeat Golden State to claim Game 3

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets - Game Three

Following back to back home wins, Golden State headed to Houston last night looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. However, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined to miss 26 of their 39 shots, and James Harden's 41 points proved enough to secure the Rockets a 126-121 OT win.

Both Splash Brothers struggled throughout, and Curry notably missed both an uncontested layup and a dunk in the closing stages. Kevin Durant managed to hit 46 points in 50 minutes, and Draymond Green recorded a triple-double, although the form of Curry and Thompson is a major concern for Steve Kerr as the series heads into Game 4.

Game 4 is Monday night in Houston, and the Rockets will now be confident that a fully fit Harden can lead them past the two-time reigning champions.

Knicks among the title favorites heading into the 19/20 season

Washington Wizards v New York Knicks

Despite finishing the 18/19 season with a 17-65 record, the New York Knicks are hoping to make a major splash during the upcoming offseason. The team has been linked with the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and ESPN is reporting that Vegas bookmakers view the Knicks among the favorites for the 2020 NBA title:

The New York Knicks are back in the championship mix heading into a summer that could shake up the NBA. The SuperBook at Westgate Las Vegas on Saturday opened the Knicks at 16-1 to win the 2020 NBA championship. New York is behind only the Milwaukee Bucks (9-2), Boston Celtics (7-1) and Philadelphia 76ers (10-1) in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant's pending free agency is the reason why.

Over the last two years, the Knicks have offloaded high earners such as Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. They Knicks now have nearly $73 million in salary-cap space, the most of any team in the NBA, and they could add two max players this summer.