Donovan Mitchell isn’t the only player that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to give attention to on the contract extension front. Evan Mobley is eligible to sign a max-rookie extension this offseason and working out a deal between the two sides needs to be high on the front office's list.
ESPN’s Brain Windhorts reported in the middle of May that Mobley is likely to get a max-extension offer from the Cavs before he hits restricted free agency in 2025. But what exactly could that deal look like?
A precedent for what Mobley’s extension could be like may have already been set with another player from the same draft class agreeing to deal on Monday afternoon.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnesreportedly agreed to a five-year maximum rookie extension that could be worth up to $270 million on Monday afternoon.
There are a lot of parallels between Mobley and Barnes’ careers through their first three seasons in the league. Mobley was selected third in the 2021 Draft with Barnes going one pick after him. Scottie ended up winning Rookie of the Year in 2022 with Mobley finishing right behind him in second, and their stats are incredibly similar as well.
Here’s a closer look at Mobley and Barnes’ stats comparison (via StatHead):
Mar 1, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dribbles in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
If Cleveland wants to extend Mobley, they will likely be looking at a similar contract to what the Raptors just paid for Barnes.
The Cavs shouldn’t hesitate to give Mobley this deal either. What he did in the playoffs proved that he is the franchise’s cornerstone and if they’re going to win a Finals it’s going to be because of Mobley’s ceiling.
play videoNDC flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama
Rev. Charles Owusu has advised the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, to be circumspect in his utterances, particularly regarding his comments about his political competitor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party.
Mr. Mahama, highlighting the economic challenges facing Ghanaians, blasted the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, saying, "Ghanaians are in dire straits, and this is not the time for comedy."
He further said, "This is not for a concert party about passing the mythical steer to somebody. There is no space for stale falsehoods and gaslighting. It is unimaginable the narrative by some people that they have championed everything under this government, and at the same time, are not responsible for anything under the same government because they were a self-styled driver's mate."
"It is simply not tenable and an insult to the intelligence of the electorate, and the presidency cannot be presented to those who present themselves as the future when they have been at the epicenter of our disastrous present," Mr. Mahama added.
Charles Owusu, reacting to these remarks during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, admonished the latter to engage in politics devoid of insults.
"When you, the elderly, denigrate yourselves like this, it gives the youth the opportunity to also use derogatory comments against you," he replied to Mahama.
Retired four-star Army Gen. Jack Keane explained on "America's Newsroom" that the growing alliance between Russia, China, North Korea and Iran is becoming more dangerous for the United States. The Fox News senior strategic analyst said the country has not seen a threat this serious since World War II and the Biden administration is not effectively communicating it to the American people.
GEN. JACK KEANE: Four days after the State of the Union, our intelligence chiefs came before a scheduled meeting with the Congress. And they said these four countries represent a threat to the United States we haven't seen in multiple decades. And looking at this, what we're really facing is collaboration and cooperation among four distinct allies. China is a near peer competitor. Russia is a chronic threat. Iran seeks domination of the Middle East, andNorth Koreahas a nuclear arsenal with ballistic missiles that can reach the United States. This is serious. We believe, at [The Institute for the Study of War], that we haven't seen a threat like this since World War II. Why? Because we could get involved in more than one war in multiple theaters. That is really the issue that we're facing.
In this photo provided Thursday, June 20, 2024, by the North Korean government, Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, center left, review an honor guard during the official welcome ceremony in the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, June 19. ((Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP))
And here's the problem, the intelligence chiefs said this is very serious. We haven't seen it in decades. We're saying we haven't really seen anything like this since World War II. Where is the administration having a frank conversation with the American people about the seriousness of this threat and how it would impact American security? It is not happening, and that is pretty outrageous and shameful.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, split with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
Keane's warning comes as Russia has entered into a defensive pact with North Korea that obligates both nations to defend each other from military adversaries "without delay."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un signed the landmark agreement on Wednesday in a move that has alarmed Western powers.
"If one of the two sides is placed under war situations due to an armed invasion from an individual country or several nations, the other side provides military and other assistance without delay by mobilizing all means in its possession," the agreement states.
play videoNDC flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama
Rev. Charles Owusu has advised the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, to be circumspect in his utterances, particularly regarding his comments about his political competitor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party.
Mr. Mahama, highlighting the economic challenges facing Ghanaians, blasted the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, saying, "Ghanaians are in dire straits, and this is not the time for comedy."
He further said, "This is not for a concert party about passing the mythical steer to somebody. There is no space for stale falsehoods and gaslighting. It is unimaginable the narrative by some people that they have championed everything under this government, and at the same time, are not responsible for anything under the same government because they were a self-styled driver's mate."
"It is simply not tenable and an insult to the intelligence of the electorate, and the presidency cannot be presented to those who present themselves as the future when they have been at the epicenter of our disastrous present," Mr. Mahama added.
Charles Owusu, reacting to these remarks during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, admonished the latter to engage in politics devoid of insults.
"When you, the elderly, denigrate yourselves like this, it gives the youth the opportunity to also use derogatory comments against you," he replied to Mahama.
Welcome to another edition of Five Things I Liked (Or Didn’t Like) this week. I’m not sure if this is by design or simply a scheduling coincidence, but this week was full of compelling matchups between current rivals. The Cubs and Cardinals squared off. So did the Yankees and Orioles. The Guardians and Mariners aren’t exactly rivals, but their series rocked too, and I’m sad I couldn’t find a way to squeeze them in this week. That said, there’s a ton to talk about, so let’s get to it, after our usual nod to Zach Lowe of ESPN, who is surely enjoying a well-deserved vacation after the conclusion of the NBA season. To baseball!
1. Willie Mays
I almost didn’t write about Willie Mays this week. I feel unqualified. What do you say about the greatest baseball player of all time? Mays was like something out of fiction, the platonic ideal of an outfielder. Everyone who saw him play knew it right away: This guy was just different. Statistics alone are a woefully inadequate way of describing him, but those statistics are comical. He hit 660 home runs, batted .301, and walked as often as he struck out. He’s probably the best defensive center fielder of all time. He racked up more than 3,000 hits, won two MVPs, made 24 All-Star teams; the list goes on and on.
That’s not really the story of Willie Mays, though. The story of Willie Mays, for me, is the universal admiration that every baseball player had for him. I’ve never heard a bad word about Mays. He was an idol and a mentor at the same time. He transcended eras, coasts, fanbases; he wasn’t a famous Giants player, he was a famous baseball player. That might even undersell it – he was one of the biggest celebrities in the country. Even nearly 60 years after his heyday, defenders want to be like him. He was the coolest, the best. That never stopped being true.
Plenty of other people have written touchingMaystributes (tons of links). I loved Jay Jaffe’s encapsulation of what Mays meant both on and off the field. I don’t have much to add that hasn’t already been said. But I couldn’t talk about the week in baseball without paying my respects. Willie Mays was a giant in every possible definition of the word. Well, other than physical stature, which makes his overall excellence all the more impressive. There will almost certainly never be another baseball player like him. I see echoes of Mays in every over-the-shoulder catch, every play at the plate, every beautiful day game in San Francisco. May his memory live on forever.
2. Hunter Greene Hitting Corners Hunter Greene’s career has been a mixed bag so far. He burst onto the scene in the halcyon days of (checks notes) 2022, before every single starter seemed to throw 100 mph. He’s the last starting pitcher prospect I can think of whose standout tool was pure velocity. It hasn’t worked that way in the majors, which is part of why he has a career 4.36 ERA and 4.21 FIP. It seems like velocity alone just won’t do it anymore.
Greene has largely survived by leaning on his slider. This year, though, he’s made some promising fastball changes. The pitch is more vertical than before, which gives him more leeway to attack the zone without falling into the dreaded line of normality that hitters are so adept at attacking.
That’s the how. I’m more interested in the wow, though. I’ve been having velocity fatigue; now that everyone throws so hard, it’s just not fun. On the other hand, spotting 100 mph on the corners is delightful. Greene put together a masterful start on Wednesday – 6 1/3 innings, nine strikeouts, no runs – and his fastball was a key part of it. He came out fastball-heavy and started carving right away. Nick Gonzales is a good hitter, but no one’s a good hitter against this:
Even if the umpire didn’t agree, this one was great too:
This isn’t the first time Greene has appeared to be on the verge of a breakout, but on previous occasions, his slider was doing the heavy lifting. This time, he’s dispensing with the bendy stuff and winning with fastballs. I’ve been guilty of buying into Greene breakouts too soon before, but what can I say? Here I am, again, ready to believe. The combination of great location and overpowering stuff is just too much to ignore.
3. The Immortal Kyle Hendricks
By all rights, Kyle Hendricks should be bad by now. He’s always been one of those “I’m not sure how he does it, but he does it” guys, and he’s been trending less and less effective in recent years. He started this season with the kind of 10-game stretch that usually gets you sent to the phantom IL: 9.38 ERA, only 30 strikeouts and 15 walks in nearly 200 batters faced, and the kind of contact quality that makes you go “Oh right, he throws 85.” In fact, he did get sent to the IL halfway through that streak, and continued to scuffle upon returning. It felt like a sad swan song for one of the most enjoyable Cubs of this generation.
The Cubs have struggled mightily with pitching this year, which means that Hendricks didn’t completely disappear; he merely moved to the bullpen. His first three appearances were hardly the stuff of legends – 10 innings, five strikeouts, four walks, 4.50 ERA, 4.65 FIP – but they were certainly less disastrous than his initial starting run. Maybe he could be a bulk middle reliever and finish out the year that way?
Only, there was good news coming in the form of bad news. Jordan Wicks suffered a fluke injury in the second inning of the June 14 Cardinals-Cubs clash at Wrigley Field. When Craig Counsell looked out to his bullpen, there was old reliable Hendricks, ready to come in and soak up some innings. Longtime Hendricks heads know that he simply cannot lose against St. Louis. The only way he could own the team more thoroughly would be if he married into the DeWitt family. In his career heading into this game, he had a 2.68 ERA against them over 167 2/3 innings. The Cards are batting .244/.285/.377 against him. They don’t get on base or hit for power against him. It’s uncanny – they simply can’t solve him, regardless of who’s on the roster.
Obviously, the streak continued. Hendricks isn’t missing bats these days – not that he was ever a huge strikeout guy, but he’s running a career-low strikeout rate and career-high walk rate. He didn’t miss many bats against the Redbirds – one strikeout in 15 batters faced – but again, they just can’t hit him. They popped the ball up:
They hit it into the ground:
They took awkward check swings:
They missed middle-middle 88-mph fastballs by a mile:
Hendricks left this outing with the first real momentum he’s had all year. Counsell immediately added him to the rotation – there had been an injury, after all. He came back and put a spell on the Giants: 5 2/3 innings pitched, eight (!!) strikeouts, two hits, and a solitary earned run.
Hendricks looked completely broken. He couldn’t buy an out; everything he threw was getting tattooed. Then he faced his favorite opponent, and now he’s back better than he’s been in years. It looks like we’ll get one more chance to enjoy the delightful sight of a Hendricks slowball turning hitters into pretzels. I can’t even be mad. Good work, Cardinals – you’ve rekindled one of the most delightful flames in modern baseball.
4. The Go-Go NL Central
I love steals, and I know I’m not alone in that. Baseball can drag, even for me, when it’s all strikeouts and walks. Adding a burst of athleticism and high-stakes close plays to the proceedings is invariably exciting. I’m glad that the league was able to adjust the incentives enough to bring steals back into the limelight – and the NL Central is surely glad too.
The Reds have the most stolen bases in the majors. The Brewers are right behind them in second. The Cubs are in the top 10 in baseball and third in runs added via steals because they’ve been caught only 12 times. This week, all three groups of speedsters were up to their usual tricks, causing havoc on the basepaths and keeping my eyes glued to them.
The Reds got things started, as they so often do, with Elly De La Cruz. He’s the runaway major league leader in steals, and he ripped off three in three games, beginning Saturday against the Brewers. He can steal in mostly uncontested spots, of course: Down three in the ninth inning, Milwaukee essentially gave him second base as a participation trophy. He can walk, steal second, and then take two more bases on an errant pickoff throw:
And he can steal off of fellow phenom Paul Skenes, though Skenes managed to pick him off earlier in the game:
The Brewers adopt more of a team approach. They stole at least two bags in every game of their set against the Reds, with Brice Turang and Christian Yelich leading the way. Turang is an outright burner; only De La Cruz has more steals. Yelich is more interesting to me – he’s 32, and not quite as fast as he was at his athletic peak, but he’s been an absolute demon since the introduction of the pickoff-throw limit last year: 43 steals, four caught stealings. Yeah, that’ll do. Even Willy Adames has 10 swipes this year. The Brewers are the best baserunning team in baseball, and it’s because they run well from the top of the roster to the bottom.
That leaves the Cubs, and I’ll level with you: They’re the reason I wanted to write this item. The Cubs have only two players with double-digit steals. One of them, Pete Crow-Armstrong, has a 51 wRC+, so he’s not exactly keying their offense. Instead, this is an ensemble effort. They pick their spots and attack opposing weaknesses. This week, that weakness was the Giants’ defending in situations with multiple runners on base. The Cubs ate their lunch:
That was just easy money, and the Cubs were only too happy to accept it. The next day, they kept it going:
When they saw the Giants weren’t throwing through, they just ran it back:
And when the Giants finally did throw through, they couldn’t even make a tag:
Wait, what? Here’s a closer look:
That’s what you should be doing! Those bases were free. The Cubs merely had to ask politely. More of this, please. If your opponent won’t stop what you’re doing, why would you stop doing it? I’m not sure that this is what the league imagined when it implemented the new rules, but I love watching it, just as much as I’m sure catchers hate it.
5. The Battle of the Bronx
The Orioles and Yankees have been circling each other all year. While the Guardians got off to a hot start, neither AL East team was ever far off the pace for the best record in the AL, and each shot past Cleveland in June. The two clubs boast the two best run differentials in the majors. They rank first and second in the AL in both runs scored and runs allowed. They’re also neck and neck for the division title and the bye that comes with it.
The first time the two met this year, the O’s took three out of four to pull a game ahead of New York in the standings. The Yankees took first place back in the interim, but this has the feeling of a race that will remain close all year. This week’s three-game set mattered both for the immediate division lead – an Orioles sweep would give them sole possession of first – and head-to-head tiebreakers. The teams only meet twice more this year: once in July, once in September. If the Orioles won this week’s series, they’d need to win only two of those last six games to secure the tiebreaker.
These games lived up to the billing. On Tuesday, the Yankees jumped out to an early lead before Aaron Judge left after being hit in the hand by an errant Albert Suarez pitch. Nestor Cortes went six shutout innings to back that early offense, and even a two-run homer in the ninth couldn’t bring the Birds back. Judge escaped serious injury and returned to the New York lineup after missing just one game, fortunately enough.
That set things up nicely for the Yankees. They had their pitching set up as well as it has been all year. Gerrit Cole’s first start of the season was Wednesday, and he looked sharp in four innings of work. Four innings, though, put a ton of pressure on the bullpen, and they couldn’t quite keep things together. The New York offense didn’t do enough against Baltimore starter Cade Povich – the Yankees scored a single run despite walking five times and striking out only once. They rallied late to send the game to extra innings, but Judge’s absence hurt, and the O’s scored two in the 10th to knot the series at one.
On paper, Luis Gil against Cole Irvin stacked up well for New York in the climactic game of the series. But the O’s jumped all over Gil right from the start. He didn’t escape the second inning, and soon Baltimore led 8-1. The Yankees managed to battle back eventually, but the Orioles feasted on the middle of the New York bullpen in the meantime and put the game completely out of reach. By the time it ended at 17-5, Jose Trevino was lobbing in knuckleballs and both teams’ stars were taking early showers.
It’s unlikely that this week’s skirmish will be the last word on the AL East race. The Yankees are still in front, after all, and there’s plenty of baseball left to be played. That didn’t make the series any less intense, though, or make either team want it less. These are the kinds of baseball games that get my heart pumping even in the middle of June. More, please.
Good morning. It’s Friday, June 21. I’m Colleen Shalby, a metro reporter specializing in transportation. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.
In a city known for traffic, LAX is a gridlock standout. Can it be fixed?
I’ve flown in and out of Los Angeles International Airport since I was a kid, and the traffic-ridden horseshoe loop on 1 World Way has been the most stressful start or end to the journey. I’m not alone — many longtime and first-time LAX travelers told me the same.
A $30-billion overhaul promises to improve the ways travelers navigate the airport, and could alleviate the notorious traffic congestion by the 2028 Olympics.
For starters, transit experts said the bulk of traffic at LAX is for nonstop flights. Some major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International serve as hubs for connections and many travelers never step foot outside the airport, so they do not generate immense traffic. But at LAX, most travelers are either starting or ending their journey in vehicles — all using the same road.
And that road has one way in and one way out, without an easy connection to public transportation. Traffic problems have only worsened over time as the number of travelers and Los Angeles County’s population has exploded by the millions over several decades.
“Things that were perfectly reasonable in 1966 become problematic in 2024,” said Brian Taylor, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UCLA.
The Automated People Mover could help. The 2.25-mile elevated train is expected to launch in 2025 and would take travelers from terminal to terminal, a consolidated rental car facility, parking lots and the Metro. Experts said that if people can change their long-standing habits of relying on vehicles to take them to and from LAX, traffic outside the airport could significantly decrease.
The airport has tried before to address capacity needs: The Tom Bradley International terminal and a second-level roadway were added ahead of the 1984 Olympics. In more recent years, the airport separated lanes for passenger drop-off and pick-up from shuttles and created a designated “LAXit” lot for ride-hail and taxi services.
But many travelers — including two women from North Carolina who I recently helped guide to the shuttle to the ride-hail lot — have difficulty figuring out where to go. Others said that lugging baggage onto the LAXit shuttle is its own challenge.
“It is a complete cluster,” traveler Jennifer Martin said after landing from Salt Lake City. “We should have flown into San Diego.”
LAX recently allocated $43 million to update its signage and terminal and gate number system to help travelers better navigate the airport.
Of course, there are ways to lessen the burden, especially as summer travel picks up. Tips from travelers include:
Plan accordingly: Expect traffic and get to the airport two hours early to avoid a frantic dash to your gate. All terminals now connect once past security so if you find yourself at LAX too early, you can explore.
On the flip side, give yourself plenty of time to get out of the airport area before making plans.
Use the Flyaway bus — for less than $10 each way, the bus takes travelers to or from Union Station and Van Nuys.
Review the LAX map ahead of your journey to figure out how to find a taxi or get to the rental car facility.
Is there a transportation story you think I should explore? You can reach me at colleen.shalby@latimes.com
Today’s top stories
A 19-year-old USC student was in custody in the fatal stabbing of a man.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Stabbing on USC’s fraternity row
Crime and courts
Politics
Earthquakes
More big stories
Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times.Subscribe here.
Today’s great reads
Lego mini-figures have been transformed into full-fledged characters through their appearances in films, TV shows and other media, putting them — not the bricks — at the center of the play ecosystem. Above, mini-figures are displayed at the Whittier location of Bricks & Minifigs, a chain franchise.
Elena Reygadas, pictured at Lotus of Siam, was named “best female chef in the world” for 2023. Her five Mexico City restaurants, including Rosetta in Roma Norte, help make the capital one of the best dining destinations.
(Hannah Rushton/For The Times)
Going out
Staying in
And finally ... a great photo
Show us your favorite place in California! We’re running low on submissions.Send us photos that scream Californiaand we may feature them in an edition of Essential California.
Olena Aliabieva, as the Fool, and Myroslava Koshtura, far right, as Cordelia, wait backstage for their turn to perform during the rehearsal of “King Lear” at the Other Place theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. A Ukrainian troupe staged its first production abroad in the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Today’s great photo is from Times photographer Marcus Yam at the Other Place theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, England where a Ukrainian troupe staged its first production abroad in the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor and Saturday reporter
Christian Orozco, assistant editor
Stephanie Chavez, deputy metro editor
Retired four-star Army Gen. Jack Keane explained on "America's Newsroom" that the growing alliance between Russia, China, North Korea and Iran is becoming more dangerous for the United States. The Fox News senior strategic analyst said the country has not seen a threat this serious since World War II and the Biden administration is not effectively communicating it to the American people.
GEN. JACK KEANE: Four days after the State of the Union, our intelligence chiefs came before a scheduled meeting with the Congress. And they said these four countries represent a threat to the United States we haven't seen in multiple decades. And looking at this, what we're really facing is collaboration and cooperation among four distinct allies. China is a near peer competitor. Russia is a chronic threat. Iran seeks domination of the Middle East, andNorth Koreahas a nuclear arsenal with ballistic missiles that can reach the United States. This is serious. We believe, at [The Institute for the Study of War], that we haven't seen a threat like this since World War II. Why? Because we could get involved in more than one war in multiple theaters. That is really the issue that we're facing.
And here's the problem, the intelligence chiefs said this is very serious. We haven't seen it in decades. We're saying we haven't really seen anything like this since World War II. Where is the administration having a frank conversation with the American people about the seriousness of this threat and how it would impact American security? It is not happening, and that is pretty outrageous and shameful.
Keane's warning comes as Russia has entered into a defensive pact with North Korea that obligates both nations to defend each other from military adversaries "without delay."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un signed the landmark agreement on Wednesday in a move that has alarmed Western powers.
"If one of the two sides is placed under war situations due to an armed invasion from an individual country or several nations, the other side provides military and other assistance without delay by mobilizing all means in its possession," the agreement states.
Good morning. It’s Friday, June 21. I’m Colleen Shalby, a metro reporter specializing in transportation. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.
In a city known for traffic, LAX is a gridlock standout. Can it be fixed?
I’ve flown in and out of Los Angeles International Airport since I was a kid, and the traffic-ridden horseshoe loop on 1 World Way has been the most stressful start or end to the journey. I’m not alone — many longtime and first-time LAX travelers told me the same.
A $30-billion overhaul promises to improve the ways travelers navigate the airport, and could alleviate the notorious traffic congestion by the 2028 Olympics.
For starters, transit experts said the bulk of traffic at LAX is for nonstop flights. Some major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International serve as hubs for connections and many travelers never step foot outside the airport, so they do not generate immense traffic. But at LAX, most travelers are either starting or ending their journey in vehicles — all using the same road.
And that road has one way in and one way out, without an easy connection to public transportation. Traffic problems have only worsened over time as the number of travelers and Los Angeles County’s population has exploded by the millions over several decades.
“Things that were perfectly reasonable in 1966 become problematic in 2024,” said Brian Taylor, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at UCLA.
The Automated People Mover could help. The 2.25-mile elevated train is expected to launch in 2025 and would take travelers from terminal to terminal, a consolidated rental car facility, parking lots and the Metro. Experts said that if people can change their long-standing habits of relying on vehicles to take them to and from LAX, traffic outside the airport could significantly decrease.
The airport has tried before to address capacity needs: The Tom Bradley International terminal and a second-level roadway were added ahead of the 1984 Olympics. In more recent years, the airport separated lanes for passenger drop-off and pick-up from shuttles and created a designated “LAXit” lot for ride-hail and taxi services.
But many travelers — including two women from North Carolina who I recently helped guide to the shuttle to the ride-hail lot — have difficulty figuring out where to go. Others said that lugging baggage onto the LAXit shuttle is its own challenge.
“It is a complete cluster,” traveler Jennifer Martin said after landing from Salt Lake City. “We should have flown into San Diego.”
LAX recently allocated $43 million to update its signage and terminal and gate number system to help travelers better navigate the airport.
Of course, there are ways to lessen the burden, especially as summer travel picks up. Tips from travelers include:
Plan accordingly: Expect traffic and get to the airport two hours early to avoid a frantic dash to your gate. All terminals now connect once past security so if you find yourself at LAX too early, you can explore.
On the flip side, give yourself plenty of time to get out of the airport area before making plans.
Use the Flyaway bus — for less than $10 each way, the bus takes travelers to or from Union Station and Van Nuys.
Review the LAX map ahead of your journey to figure out how to find a taxi or get to the rental car facility.
Is there a transportation story you think I should explore? You can reach me at colleen.shalby@latimes.com
Today’s top stories
A 19-year-old USC student was in custody in the fatal stabbing of a man.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Stabbing on USC’s fraternity row
Crime and courts
Politics
Earthquakes
More big stories
Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times.Subscribe here.
Today’s great reads
Lego mini-figures have been transformed into full-fledged characters through their appearances in films, TV shows and other media, putting them — not the bricks — at the center of the play ecosystem. Above, mini-figures are displayed at the Whittier location of Bricks & Minifigs, a chain franchise.
Elena Reygadas, pictured at Lotus of Siam, was named “best female chef in the world” for 2023. Her five Mexico City restaurants, including Rosetta in Roma Norte, help make the capital one of the best dining destinations.
(Hannah Rushton/For The Times)
Going out
Staying in
And finally ... a great photo
Show us your favorite place in California! We’re running low on submissions.Send us photos that scream Californiaand we may feature them in an edition of Essential California.
Olena Aliabieva, as the Fool, and Myroslava Koshtura, far right, as Cordelia, wait backstage for their turn to perform during the rehearsal of “King Lear” at the Other Place theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. A Ukrainian troupe staged its first production abroad in the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Today’s great photo is from Times photographer Marcus Yam at the Other Place theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, England where a Ukrainian troupe staged its first production abroad in the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor and Saturday reporter
Christian Orozco, assistant editor
Stephanie Chavez, deputy metro editor
