What the Locked On Top 100 Reveals About the Lakers In the Western Conference

The Lakers have three players in the Locked On rankings of the top 100 NBA players. Luka Dončić (4), LeBron James (12) and Austin Reaves (58). They're the only team with an ultra elite player in Luka, and a (basically) top 10 guy in LeBron. Add in Reaves, and it's not a bad core. But how does that compare to the rest of the conference? Do the Lakers have similar balance to the competition, even if their talent at the very top might be better? How much two way talent do they have, even with the additions of Marcus Smart and an improvement at center in Deandre Ayton? Compare that to OKC, who has a host of legitimate two way guys, the Nuggets, who feature a few names on the list, all of whom (save Jamal Murray) can play on both sides of the ball. Houston was a great defensive team last year, and even after moving Dillon Brooks should be once again this season. So what kind of roster balance do the Lakers have? What's the relative advantage with fit vs. overall talent? How much of both do the Lakers have relative to the competition?  HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: Three in the Top 100! SEGMENT 2: What kind of balance do the Lakers have?  SEGMENT 3: How does what the Lakers have match up with the rest of the conference?  Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!5-Hour ENERGYTee up that trip! Enter for a chance to win a dream golf trip for two to any golf tournament* in the USA. Visit 5HEWIN.com for full rules and entry. No purchase necessary. Excludes the Master’s tournament. Ends October 31, 2025.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first yearFanDuelRight now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.comto get startedFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.