Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Rather than cede the franchise sale drama to Mark Walter, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, the Buss siblings on Monday went full bore into doing what they do best—creating serious sibling drama.  Early in the day, ESPN reported that the Buss family had voted to sell its remaining share in the Lakers, amounting to just under 18 percent.  Not long after, Jeanie's attorney released a statement calling that vote bunk, and saying the sibs don't have the legal authority to do it. Jeanie, as laid out by a 2017 court order, has a legal claim to her governorship that can't be eliminated by the sale of the team (which, interestingly, was the impetus for the sibs to take this latest vote to sell).  Who wins? The lawyers will sort it out.  The bigger and more important question is whether in the end, any of this really matters for Jeanie in terms of retaining her current gig.  Is any of this, especially if it comes through a very public, very unseemly and potentially protracted legal battle, ultimately going to matter to Kushner and Iger if they want her out (or, if nothing else, remove any teeth from her position). Because in the end, is 75 year old Bob Iger, who has tried for years to put himself in this position, seemingly wants to be out front for the franchise and unquestionably has the background in league affairs to represent the Lakers in league functions, going to just kick back and let Jeanie do stuff?  Is Kushner going to favor her over his friend and co-owner?  There's no good endgame here for Jeanie.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Buss family is selling. Or is it?    SEGMENT 2: Jeanie can't win.    SEGMENT 3: What are the practical impacts from Monday's events?    Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.   Cozy EarthHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.  Wayfair. Every style. Every home. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

For the nine zillionth time since turning down a long-term deal with the Lakers, veteran guard Dennis Schröder is on the move, this time from Cleveland to Charlotte.  The motivation for the Cavs is relatively simple - free up money to get James Harden resigned, and then try to add another player. Reportedly, that could be Peyton Watson (restricted FA, Denver) or Jonathan Kuminga, who has been rumored to be on the Lakers radar for so long at this point, it's reasonable to wonder if the radar is even working properly. But with this news comes a fresh round of Kuminga-or-not-to-Kuminga, because that, ultimately, is the question.  And when you start breaking down how a deal with Kuminga would have to look financially for the Lakers (this is before trying to figure out whether or not you could even make the trade to get him here), it's reasonable to wonder if this is a good idea.  Meanwhile, the dust continues to settle around the agreed upon sale of the Lakers from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger (and a bunch of other rich folks, TBD).  We walk through two of the biggest concerns about Kushner:  That he's a VC guy, and will be motivated primarily by bottom line issues and therefore won't be willing to spend to win.  That he's just not rich enough to compete with richer owners.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Reluctantly, back into the Kuminga waters.    SEGMENT 2: Why it's just a dicey idea.   SEGMENT 3: Is Kushner rich enough? Is the VC thing a problem?    PhotoCredit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.   Cozy EarthHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.  Wayfair. Every style. Every home. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

In a normal offseason, the August schedule release is one of those signpost events that lets fans know the season is creeping closer. It's a fun chance to try and predict what's coming.  Things never quite work out as predicted, but that's part of the fun.  Of course, this year, a certain blip in the news cycle has radically changed the subject for Lakers fans, who now wonder what's coming with the second ownership change in 15 months. But that doesn't mean the schedule didnt' come out! So we break it down. What are the highlights? The lowlights? The most challenging parts?  Start with the beginning. The Lakers are home-heavy, and get just about as tolerable an opening 18 game stretch as you could ask for. A couple games against elite squads, a couple against bottom feeders, and a bunch against potentially-solid-but-still-lower-tier Western Conference teams like Golden State, Portand and Utah. JJ Redick and his staff will have an opportunity to get a huge crew of new players acclimated, and because they see the same opponents multiple times (2x vs. GSW, 2x vs. Portland, 2x vs. Sacto, 3x vs. Utah) learn how different lineup adjustments can work against the same opponent which can be helpful with a new roster.  Things get significantly more challenging in the second half of the year, so that's tough, but the Lakers benefit from closing with a very home heavy schedule.  One that includes consecutive games against Minnesota (games 80 and 81) that could prove very, very significant.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Photo Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

A drop was dropped on Lakers nation this week with the sale of the team from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. Nobody saw it coming, not even (reportedly) the principals until last weekend.  Lakers fans rightly feel like a rug pull has taken place, and not surprisingly, perhaps, that sentiment seems to be impacting how many are reacting to the news. A poll we put up on the show's YouTube page indicates real pessimism around the sale/new ownership, and a solid amount of angst amidst fresh uncertainty.  So as details continue to emerge around the why of the sale -- none of it sounds all that great for Walter -- the "what's next" is what matters to fans. And hopefully what's next comes relatively quickly. There is a lot -- A LOT -- that has to get done before this sale can be finalized and the team can start doing whatever it plans to do, whether around the front office, on the business side, or whatever.  And delays don't help the Lakers, they just keep the team in a state of semi-limbo, operating normally for most day to day things, but in a sort of limbo for other things. Candidates for front office jobs might hold off accepting offers if they think they could get replaced by new ownership. That's just one example.  Finally, does it matter that Bob Iger once identified as a Clippers fan?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: This sale could take a minute, which is bad for the Lakers.  SEGMENT 2: How are fans feeling?  SEGMENT 3: Iger's relationships.    Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well THAT was unexpected. After decades of family ownership, the Lakers will change ownership for the second time in less than a year and a half, with news breaking Wednesday that Mark Walter will be selling the team to a group led by venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney head Bob Iger.  The valuation is reportedly $12.5 billion, meaning Walter flipped the franchise for a tidy profit, having purchased 14 months ago for $10 billion.  So why now?  Theories abound. It could be related to Walter's health, having reportedly suffered a stroke in 2024 that has been challenging to recover from. It could be related to the federal investigation of his companies for insurance fraud. It could be Walter just doesn't love owning a basketball team in the same way he loves owning a baseball squad (he's keeping the Dodgers). Or it could be the aforementioned $2.5 billion.  We'll learn more with time, but in the here and now there are significant questions about what comes next. The Lakers are in the middle of a significant remodel, tied very closely to Walter's ownership of the Dodgers. What happens to all of that? How long will it take for this sale to go through, and for new-new ownership to put its stamp on the organization? Do they have a similar operating philosophy to what the Lakers presumably were getting, via the Dodgers?  It's a lot!    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images    Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The first bits of the schedule were released on Tuesday, and (no surprise) the Lakers play a big role in what the NBA now calls Opening Week, and then on Christmas. They're playing on what is technically the first night of the season, but then the Lakers will host the Warriors (another version of ______ vs. Steph!) and then on Christmas, the league has sent LeBron James back to the Crypt, like a big gift from Santa.  Both games should be entertaining (it's always fun to watch Steph play) and while the lead up to LeBron's return has the potential to be completely insufferable, the actual X-Mas basketball should be great. The Sixers are a super-intriguing bunch, with all sorts of talent, and the Lakers have the potential to be pretty dynamic, themselves.  So while the NBA isn't exactly going out on any limbs, here, they did assign Luka and the Lakers a couple of good games.  More schedule coming on Wednesday (NBA Cup draws) and Thursday (full schedule release).  Finally, Kirk Goldsberry was on with Zach Lowe, and cited Luka as the player he believes is under the most pressure this year. The reasons he cites (which we pass along) certainly make sense, and the argument he makes is not far fetched. But is he right?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Luka vs. Steph! LeBron vs. the Lakers!    SEGMENT 2: What to expect on Christmas.    SEGMENT 3: How much pressure is Luka facing?    Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images     Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The NBA's annual slowplay of its schedule release began on Tuesday, and two of the marquee games will involve the Lakers. They'll open the season against Steph Curry and the Warriors (although not on the literal opening day, for the first time this decade), a matchup that's overly familiar. (Perhaps a bit too familiar for these purposes?) From there, the Christmas Day slate predictably includes a showdown with ex-Lakers LeBron James and the very new-look Philadelphia 76ers. Spicy matchups? Depends on what you're looking for. Big opportunities for the Lakers. Definitely.  HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The question of value is going to be a huge one for the Lakers this season. Especially in the context of which players provide more of it than their salary might suggest.  So which guys are most likely to outperform their paychecks?  The obvious place to start is with the dudes making the least amount of money, but who still have a chance to play an outsized role for the team. Like this year's Marcus Smart. Think players like Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, as vets playing on minimum deals, or Adou Thiero and Cam Carr playing on rookie scale contracts. But what about guys making a few nickels more?  Is Quentin Grimes a good candidate to exceed his salary? Certainly he will get a lot of minutes, and on this team will fill a critical role both as a secondary scorer and a guy expected to guard some dudes on the other end. How about Sexton and Mamu? And then there are the guys at the very top of the food chain. Luka has to be elite, and Reaves has to play like a $40 million player must.  But so much of this conversation starts to settle on Walker Kessler, the most controversial deal the Lakers issued this summer.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Lakers need guys to overperform.    SEGMENT 2: After the minimum guys, who is next?    SEGMENT 3: The Kessler Kunundrum.    Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

This question came in from a listener, TheStewPup at Kambrothers on Twitter:  Given the team's lack of (positive) trade pieces, how long do you guys think it will take to turn the team into a true contender? Can they realistically do it before Luka's contract is up? The answer is obviously really important, not just because they want to win, but because progress in that direction is what will help ensure they hold on to Luka after he (presumably) opts out of his current deal to sign an even bigger one, ideally with the Lakers. But while the Lakers made some big moves this summer, they're still not all the way there. That much is both clear and expected. So how do they cover the remaining ground?  A story from Bobby Marks on ESPN looks at how next year's offseason could shape up and the factors that will influence it. When you put it together, they could very well have been influenced to act aggressively this summer not only to respond to present needs, but also to anticipate future environments. There will be more teams with cap space. The free agent pool could be equally thin, but the Lakers could be working without this summer's draft capital, given that the one move they seemed sure to make was an aggressive play for a center.  So there are a lot of steps the Lakers need to cover, from nailing this offseason's pickups to using next year's space wisely to really hitting on young, cost-controlled talent.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Can the Lakers get good fast enough?  SEGMENT 2: Factors at play.  SEGMENT 3: Little ways the Lakers get better, to match the big ones.    Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers need to fill out their roster, and the biggest need is a forward with defensive versatility who can also shoot a little.  Dallas forward PJ Washington seems to fit that bill.  But for this to work, the Mavs would have to want some stuff the Lakers could send them. That's a problem, given LA's relatively bare cupboard of assets. But even more problematic? Apparently the Mavs don't want to trade Washington anywhere. Can't acquire a guy who isn't available. And even someone like Klay Thompson may not be as available as speculated. The Mavs would certainly trade him, but reportedly don't want to buy him out. Probably because they think there's interest and if they're patient, the Mavs might get something in return.  We'll see. But as we open the mailbag, it answers one of the most common Q's we get, namely whether another big move is coming, or if this is likely the team we'll see open training camp.  Meanwhile, the Lakers have some spots on the roster that don't get much attention when talking about the rotation. Guys like Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, Bronny James and to a lesser degree, Jarred Vanderbilt. Dudes who take up roster spots and for one reason or another, aren't expected to play much, if at all.  Could any of them defy expectations? And if so, which one is the best bet?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Lakers want players, but are players available?    SEGMENT 2: Are they likely to be the team they are now when camp opens?    SEGMENT 3: Could Knecht surprise?    Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Cozy EarthHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.   BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The great David Aldridge at The Athletic has a review of the summer's activity around the NBA, ranking teams by how successful an offseason they had. That doesn't mean teams finishing higher are better overall, just that the offseason was relatively speaking more productive. The Lakers came in at 11th, which seems pretty fair, all things considered.  On the one hand, you can argue that in raw terms, they might not be quite as good as they were last season (this is, more or less, a referendum on the impact of losing LeBron James, because there are areas where the Lakers have definitely improved, like at starting center). On the other hand, if you're trying to envision what a long term vision for the squad might look like in the Luka Doncic era, that's a lot more clear now. The Lakers are also a lot younger, and seem to have hit on their first round pick in Cam Carr.  Overall, there's a lot to feel good about!  Does Aldridge get his evaluation right?  The answer does in some ways get to a fairly pervasive criticism of Rob Pelinka's work, hsitorically and this season, about a proclivity for player options. Sometimes, they've been mystifying. This year? Maybe not?  Finally, Luka finished in the top 10 for NBA2K's 3-point ratings. This is cearly not meant to be a reflection of raw percentages or efficiency, because Doncic doesn't measure up in that regard. But swag? Audaciousness? That he's got in excess. So what was 2K factoring in? And what do things look like when you dig a little deeper into his percentages?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Athletic looks at LA's offseason.    SEGMENT 2: Why the Lakers gave away the contracts they did.    SEGMENT 3: Luka and NBA2K.    Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Cozy EarthHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.   BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers have a hole at forward. Most people think that hole is at power forward, more specifically. And no question, it would be great to fill it with a high end, versatile defender who also comes with a good skill set offensively. Scottie Barnes or OG Anunoby, or a top shelf defender/ball mover like prime Draymond.  But of course, those guys are really, really hard to find.  And as the offseason moves along, it's more likely the Lakers will hold off on filling that spot until the season is underway, or the deadline, or even next offseason. So in the meantime, what do they do with what they have? Well, one thing to consider is the role of Luka Doncic. He is a force offensively who can make a lot of disparate parts work well together, as long as everyone understands his role. But he's obviously not a traditional point guard, because he's so flippin' large. So when people talk about that last starting spot, are they really just talking about defense?  How does Luka fit in?  Is what they need not so much a power forward, per se, but a versatile wing who can take on multiple matchups and allow the Lakers to slot players like Luka and Austin Reaves in more suitable ways?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Is Luka part of the solution?    SEGMENT 2: What do the Lakers need at PF?    SEGMENT 3: How versatility on D is much more important than skill on O.    Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Cozy EarthHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.   BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

Maybe it's because his dad is a broadcaster for the Lakers, but Klay Thompson has been connected via rumors to the purple and gold for years. And now, at 36, he's reportedly on the trade block with the Mavs.  So once again, the question is asked, how would Klay look on the Lakers?  He's a long way from the elite shooter/defender of his prime, but Klay still does have some utility as a high volume 3-point shooter (still around 40% pretty consistently), and given that he now plays off the bench, the expectations for his performance is much more in line with what he's capable of delivering. Plus, he's been relatively healthy over the last few seasons, meaning even at an elevated age, he's a decent bet to give the Lakers 70 games.  On the other hand, Thompson doesn't really fit the team's timeline, or positional need. He's not a piece that will help bring them significantly closer to the upper crust of the West, and would put bodies in front of players like Cam Carr and Adou Thiero. Is that someone the Lakers should be pursuing, if it's not directly addressing a position of need?  It gets to a core question - are the Lakers better off doing what they can to get the best player at, say, power forward, even if he's not a great fit or comes with question marks because he does more for the team RIGHT NOW, or should they hold off and try to find a player is a better fit long term, even if it causes some pain in the interim?  The answer to that question largely dictates whether the Lakers are essentially done with big swings this summer.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Dallas is shopping Klay, reportedly. Should LA bite?  SEGMENT 2: Logistics aside, what would Klay look like on the Lakers?  SEGMENT 3: Mr. Right, or Mr. Right Now?    Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Cozy EarthHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.   BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers had a very eventful offseason, leading to what could rightly be called a radical roster makeover. Whether you like, dislike, or remain undecided about Luka Doncic's new look running mates, one thing's for sure: Rob Pelinka and company were not content to sit on their collective hands and play things safe.   But did they actually do a good job with their moves? NBA Front Office Podcast co-host Keith Smith has a new piece for Spotrac, compiling anonymous (and therefore candid) thoughts from Lakers assistant coaches and rival execs/scouts around the league on what they're expecting from this new team. What are the strengths? The Weaknesses? The potential.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   Segment 1 Do the players around Luka make sense? Segment 2: Walker Kessler's importance. Segment 3: New roster, better offense?   (Keith Smith's article: https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/3424/2026-nba-western-conference-summer-league-notebook)   Photo credit:  Rob Gray-Imagn Images   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Cozy Earth Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers are a radically different team this year than last. Better? Worse? About the same?  You could make an argument for all three. But at the least, it's easy to say that the team's floor could be a little higher, assuming good health. And any drop off really depends a lot on your thoughts about losing LeBron. What does it mean that he's no longer on the roster, even as the Lakers arguably improved in a lot of other places?  There's definitely a blueprint in place, even if the construction isn't complete at this point.  At the same time, the Western Conference itself has been pretty radically reshaped. While the teams at the top are still quite elite (San Antonio had a very low stress offseason, and the Thunder have so much depth they can handle a little bit of roster attrition), there are big question marks in Denver and Minnesota, at the least. Meanwhile, teams like Portland (post Ja Morant trade), Dallas (trying to win now, plus Kyrie is back) and Utah (trying to win now, have a solid roster) could/should win more (or even a lot more) games than last year.  So where do the Lakers fit in?  We discuss.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky  SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are much different. Are they better? Worse? About the same? SEGMENT 2: What might make you more comfortable about their chances?  SEGMENT 3: What about the rest of the West?  Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers became Luka Donćić's team the moment he was traded to the Lakers, but from a leadership perspective he didn't have to fully take on every part of the job, because the team still had LeBron James, and LeBron James is always going to have a significant role in leadership.  Now LeBron is gone, and there's a big space that needs filling.  Luka looks ready to increase his activity. Reports, including from The Athletic's Dan Woike and ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Wednesday said that Doncic is footing the bill to bring the entire squad over to Slovenia for four days of mini-camp and bonding. It's an interesting way to bring the group together, and certainly will help his teammates understand Luka in ways going beyond a typical mini-camp you might see in somewhere like Vegas or San Diego, which guys like LeBron have organized in the past.  It's also a longer commute, so the logistics are kind of fascinating, too.  But it does put into perspective the question of Luka's leadership, and how he's likely going to need to expand his voice in ways that may not always have been his natural inclination, now that LeBron (and well-respected members of the supporting cast like Marcus Smart) is gone. Austin Reaves will have a role to play here, too, stepping up from the NBA's biggest bargain contract to one where the expectations are heavy.  Meanwhile, the NBA has a PR problem on its hands, because they can't seem to get anywhere near the end of the Kawhi Leonard/Clippers/Aspiration investigation, which now looks like it could extend into the next calendar year.  Ooof.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are heading to Slovenia!    SEGMENT 2: Luka and leadership.    SEGMENT 3: The NBA and the Clippers investigation.    Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

Tuesday began with more news about the federal investigation into the vast business empire of Dodgers owner Mark Walter and the Guggenheim Group. It's complicated, for sure (more complicated than a couple of hoops podcasters are going to try to explain) but doesn't seem trivial, to say the least. And while it doesn't look now like the investigation will have any immediate impact on operations for the Lakers (or the Dodgers for that matter) it's obviously something that over time will be a story to watch.  Meanwhile, the Lakers are reportedly interested in adding more center depth. Now, they used to have a backup center in Deandre Ayton that was quite a luxury in that spot, given his resume. It's worth asking whether Ayton would happily (or happily enough) fill the role the Lakers would need him to play with Walker Kessler on board, but fair to say when the Lakers sent him to Washington, the common perception was that another move would be coming behind it.  That hasn't happened.  So what do the Lakers do from here? Are the street free agents (i.e. Nick Richards, Drew Eubanks, etc.) much of an improvement over Kevon Looney as a backup C? How would the Lakers open up a spot for one of them? What about a trade for someone like Jericho Sims? Is Daniel Gafford, were he made available, worth what would likely be a higher cost, given that he and Kessler almost certainly couldn't play together?  It's a spot that could be resolved, too, by improving at power forward, which could push Sandro Mamukelashvili into a high-minute backup role at both PF and C.  There's still time to iron stuff out, and a lot will depend on the resolution of the Peyton Watson situation in Denver. But it's something the Lakers are certainly watching closely.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky  SEGMENT 1: The Feds are poking around Mark Walter's businesses.    SEGMENT 2: What do the Lakers do at backup C?    SEGMENT 3: The Mamu question!    Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

As the Lakers (or at least Lakers fans) endure the Jonathan Kuminga Waiting Game -- and along those lines, Jake Fisher reports Monday evening that the Lakers are still interested, but are very much trying to dictate the terms, financially -- many folks are searching around for potential better offers. Denver, meanwhile, is in a real pickle when it comes to their negotiations with restricted free agent Peyton Watson following the diabolical offer sheet OKC's Sam Presti threw at Spencer Jones, and needs to offload salary if they want to keep him. One name on that list could be forward Cam Johnson, a three-point specialist who has at least the reputation of playing good defense, even if it's not quite as well-deserved now as it once was. (And this is when he's on the court, which the oft-injured player struggles to do consistently.) Still, while Johnson would not be the long term answer (likely) for the Lakers at power forward, if they could acquire him for the right price, would he make more sense than a higher upside, potential long term piece like Kuminga? Meanwhile, what's the deal with Matisse Thybulle? The Lakers made the signing official, but how much is he going to be able to play, given his health questions over the last couple of seasons? And what about Thybulle's offense? Can he provide enough shooting to give the team high quality minutes?   HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Thybulle signs. What does he bring? SEGMENT 2: Can he shoot well enough for a significant role? SEGMENT 3: What about Cam Johnson? Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers need a starting-caliber forward. That much is clear, and it's not exactly a state secret.  Whether the Lakers can do it this offseason remains to be seen, and whether that player is intended to be a short or long term solution is the other half of the equation they have to try and figure out. It stands to reason the Lakers would prefer the latter, but finding that guy won't be easy. One potential candidate, at least in theory, is Hawks free agent Jonathan Kuminga, who is young, athletic, has shown some promise and is available.  Of course, getting him is complicated by a variety of things. First, the Lakers and Kuminga would need to agree on a contract of at least three years in order to execute a sign and trade, and reportedly the gap between what the Lakers want to pay and what the Kuminga wants to receive is pretty significant. And then they'd have to figure out how to execute the actual trade, which has gotten harder after Atlanta acquired Lu Dort from the Thunder last week.  But is Kuminga even worth all of this fuss? Would he fit with what the Lakers are doing? Is he actually as good as some (especially including Kuminga) seem to think? Would he accept the role the Lakers would need him to play, and then thrive in it?  Would LA be better off with a shorter term solution, knowing that the odds of fully rebuilding the team to a championship level in just one offseason -- particularly after LeBron James left -- were thin?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Is Kuminga worth all this fuss?    SEGMENT 2: Short vs. long term considerations.   SEGMENT 3: Better alternatives out there?    Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

LeBron James has chosen the Sixers. LBJ had already long been out the Lakers' door, so in that sense, it's kind of a formality. But on a practical level (business around the league may pick up again) and on an emotional level (LeBron's relationship with the franchise and fans was... to put it mildly... complicated), there are ripple effects. Andy Kamenetzky offers some quick immediate thoughts on what comes next for the Lakers.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclubSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable 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.

The Lakers haven't yet officially signed Blazers free agent forward and defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle to a veteran's minimum deal, but that's only a formality. He'll be inked soon enough and expected to provide a true Three-and-D presence as, along with Ziaire Williams, part of a concerted recent effort to shore up the roster's wings. The real question isn't whether Thybulle is capable of handling his assignment, but rather whether he'll stay healthy enough to do it. Over the last two seasons, Thybulle played just 45 combined games. Were he able to remain on the court, he may not have been available for the Lakers in the first place, and certainly not at this price. To get a better idea of Thybulle, Andy spoke with Mike Richman from Locked On Blazers. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Mike Richman (Locked On Blazers)   Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclubSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable 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.

The Lakers have undergone a massive offseason roster transformation, with three (at most) holdovers from last season's rotation. Lots of new faces. More long-term deals than in recent memory. All in the name of maximizing Luka Dončić's prime. How good should Lakers fans feel about their team heading into this season, as is? And how would fans feel about their team after one more trade, which, according to multiple reports, the Lakers want to make? Is it for Jonathan Kuminga? And if not, is there a Plan B possibility that would move the needle? Andy breaks it all down with Khobi Price, who covers the Lakers for the California.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Khobi Price (California Post) Segment 1: Roster overhaul Segment 2: Pelinka has to be right about the offseason choices. Segment 3: Kuminga or bust when it comes to any further moves?   Photo Credit:  Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable 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.

Unless the Lakers can pull what's become a very tricky rabbit out of their proverbial hat and figure out a complicated deal for a high-profile forward, the offseason's roster rebuild is more or less done. Make no mistake. It's different... way, way different. Younger. Faster. More athletic. More balanced. Less collectively experienced. Entirely retooled around Luka Doncic. And not without many lingering questions. Can Walker Kessler anchor the defense to become better than it appears on paper? How quickly can this group jell? Are there opportunities for unproven but intriguing players like Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero? And will JJ Redick let them learn on the job? For answers to these questions and more, Andy talked with Raj Chipalu. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Raj Chipalu (Silver Screen and Roll, Offsides App) Segment 1: How good can the new Lakers roster become?  Segment 2: Different defensive scheme? Roles for Carr, Thiero?  Segment 3: More on the younger players, and the defense.   Photo Credit:  Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable 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.

The Lakers have long needed more young players and promising wing defenders... and if possible, more young promising wing defenders. As such, it makes perfect sense that the Lakers inked a veteran's minimum deal with Ziaire Williams, a 24-year-old forward coming off a solid season with the Brooklyn Nets. At his best, Williams can provide strong defensive playmaking, reasonable defensive versatility, and made threes off open looks, all while operating at high energy. At his worst, Williams can fall prey to messing with an offense's flow while trying to show more shot-making than he's capable of. Or, in the case of these Lakers, what's even needed of him. Can Williams play to his strengths and become a star in his lane? Andy Kamenetzky breaks down the pluses and minuses with Erik Slater, the host of Locked On Nets, who also covers the team and the NBA at large for Clutch Points.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Erik Slater (Locked On Nets, Clutch Points) Segment 1: Matisse Thybulle's health issues, offensive improvement Segment 2: Thybulle's defensive prowess Segment 3: Someone has to get moved to make room for Thybulle Photo Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable 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.

The Lakers have clearly been pondering the defensive issues that remained evident after their initial wave of new roster additions. Yes, Walker Kessler and, to a lesser but still tangible degree, Quentin Grimes can be helpful along these lines, but in particular, too many holes along the perimeter remained. Well, over the last two weeks, Ziaire Williams was first signed, and then on Monday, news broke that the Lakers brought two-time All-Defense member Matisse Thybulle aboard.   On the plus side, Thybulle can be an elite on-ball defender and defensive playmaker who also offers good three-point shooting. A true 3&D presence, which all teams covet. On the minus side, Thybulle gets hurt. A lot. Enough that he may have to play limited minutes or even games to keep him healthy come playoff time. This will require excellent planning by the coaching staff and excellent work by the training staff. Still, it's a veteran's minimum deal for a player with a high floor and an established calling card. At worst, it's no harm, no foul at the price, and with a lack of better options. At best, Thybulle provides a lot at a low cost.   Either way, he puts the Lakers' roster at 16 guaranteed players, and you can only carry 15. Someone's gotta go.     Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   Segment 1: Matisse Thybulle's health issues, offensive improvement Segment 2: Thybulle's defensive prowess Segment 3: Someone has to get moved to make room for Thybulle   Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable 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.

During the 2025-26 season, the Lakers' bench, to put it generously, lacked scoring punch. Some of this was the byproduct of continual injuries, which kept someone like Rui Hachimura, arguably best utilized as a three-level scoring sixth man, in the starting lineup more often than not. Some of this was the byproduct of someone like Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent (pre-trade) not being a reliable enough source of points when given the rock. Some of it was the byproduct of someone like Jaxson Hayes being effective around the rim, but with no real moves beyond a lob dunk.   All of it, however, became a difficult problem for the Lakers to negotiate.   This season, Collin Sexton should alleviate that problem. The combo guard has proven himself a certified bucket getter during his eight years in the league. Whether he can play good enough defense and, more importantly, make good enough decisions will be the difference between him being a valuable addition or one that takes as much as he gives.   To learn more about Sexton, Andy talked with David Locke (Locked On Jazz, Jazz radio broadcast team) to get the rundown on Sexton's strengths, weaknesses, and unpredictability.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest David Locke.   Photo Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

It cannot be overstated how much is riding on Walker Kessler's impending success and fit with the Lakers. It's not simply how much the team needs the skills the center brings, particularly on defense, where he's considered by many to be a budding All-Defense candidate. They also paid a handsome price (literally and asset-ally) to land Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, who were not widely expected to let him leave. Two first-round picks. Two first-round swaps. Plus, four years, and $130M, all guaranteed, with a fourth-year player option. In other words, the Lakers went all-in on a big man they've clearly coveted for a few years. If they're right, then a big piece for trying to maximize the Luka Doncic era has been solved. But if they're wrong.... whoo, boy. They could be in a spot of trouble and stuck with few outs to fix their mistake. To talk more about Kessler's strengths, weaknesses, and mindset, Andy talked with David Locke (Locked On Jazz, and part of Utah's radio broadcast team). In particular, the question of how Kessler will handle the increased attention, stakes, and scrutiny of being a Laker was of great interest.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest David Locke   Segment 1: Kessler's defensive impact Segment 2: Kessler's offensive skills Segment 3: Kessler in a brighter spotlight   Photo Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL 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.

The Summer League Lakers are undefeated in Las Vegas, cemented by Thursday's 102-85 beatdown of the Chicago Bulls. Tournament play awaits, but in the bigger picture, could the stars of this team play actual roles with the big club? Who are the main characters in question? First-round rookie Cameron Carr, whose three-level scoring, off-ball comfort, wingspan, and refined athleticism make him feel likely (if not probable) to be in next season's rotation. Second-year player Adou Thiero, whose explosive strength is still in the raw stages, has increasingly played under better control while still overwhelming opponents on both ends of the floor. Two-way contract holder Chris Mañon, whose offense hasn't quite caught up to last season's first-team All-Defense status with the G-League, but has shown more flashes. G-League returnee Arthur Kaluma, who keeps making his case for a two-way deal of his own.   It's always wise to take the Summer League with a grain of salt... but getting excited over these standouts is understandable.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Jovan Buha   Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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)Mark Walter and Rob Pelinka's VISION for the Lakers, Luka. STRONG DIRECTION?  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.

The Lakers, in need of more depth along the wing, have reportedly been in talks with both the Atlanta Hawks and free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga about a potential sign-and-trade for at least a few weeks. But he's apparently not the only target in mind. Marc Stein reported that Matisse Thybulle, who's been linked to the Lakers in the past, is also on their radar. Which one is more gettable? Who's a better fit? And what does newly ex-Laker LeBron James have to do with all of this?   Insights on these questions and more are provided by special guest Jovan Buha (Buha's Block, The Lakers Collective)   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Jovan Buha   Segment 1: What's the latest with the Kuminga talks, and is Matisse Thybulle a new target Segment 2: Breaking down the new Lakers Segment 3: More on the new guys   Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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)Mark Walter and Rob Pelinka's VISION for the Lakers, Luka. STRONG DIRECTION?  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.

It's officially the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, and not simply because the roster was completely revamped with a goal of building properly around him. (Successful mission? Time will tell.) Doncic is now the franchise face operating without LeBron James (and for these specific purposes, Marcus Smart) as a leadership presence and voice. He, along with Austin Reaves (clearly also considered a foundational piece), will need to grow even more as culture setters and examples for accountability, beyond just increasing their voices.   (JJ Redick, who's already established himself as excellent at coaxing buy-in from players, will need to hone that skill even more.)   What have Doncic and Reaves been like as leaders to this point? To discuss this and other topics, Mike Trudell (Lakers TV sideline reporter for Spectrum Sportsnet, ESPNLA 710) swings by to offer his insights as someone who travels with the team and sees the Lakers' two stars on a day-in, day-out basis.     Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Mike Trudell   Segment 1: What are Luka and Austin like as leaders? Segment 2: The new roster Segment 3: More on the new Lakers, plus JJ's ability to get buy-in.   Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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)Mark Walter and Rob Pelinka's VISION for the Lakers, Luka. STRONG DIRECTION?  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.

The Lakers are now a year or so into the "Mark Walter era," which happens to coincide with the official start of "the Luka Doncic era." More than ever, all the decisions made about the roster and basketball will revolve around what's best for Luka. With all that in mind, what can be read into the offseason that includes... A massive roster makeover... New faces like Walker Kesler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Ziaire Williams... Younger... Potential offensive juggernaut... Potential defensive vulnerabilities...   But more than anything else, it all reflects a new era for the Lakers as a franchise. To break down what it may all mean, Anthony Irwin (Lakers Lounge, Offsides app) swings by to offer thoughts.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Anthony Irwin   Segment 1: Is Rob truly running the show? Segment 2: More front office decisions Segment 3: The new guys!   Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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)Mark Walter and Rob Pelinka's VISION for the Lakers, Luka. STRONG DIRECTION?  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.

The Lakers may not be done making moves this offseason, and if they have their way, likely won't be. But for the time being, given how they're over the cap, any future new faces will have to be added via trade. Either way, they're *close* to finishing their offseason retooling. And make no mistake, this was one heck of a facelift. One could even say radical. Only two remaining starters (Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves). Only one holdover from the ROTATION (Jake LaRavia, who fell out of favor during the playoffs). Enter Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Kevon Looney and the rookie Cameron Carr. Can't accuse Rob Pelinka of being afraid to make bold moves. But were they good ones? Andy breaks it down with special guest Trevoe Lane. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Trevor Lane (Lakers Nation, Lakers Collective) Segment 1: Kessler scouting report. Segment 2: Grimes scouting report Segment 3: Sexton scouting report   Photo credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers have a LOT of new faces this coming season, with a rotation that's been radically overhauled. For better or worse? That remains to be seen, but were it to become a notable upgrade from 2025-26, it would mean that Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and especially Walker Kessler not just performed to expectations as new Lakers, but at least one (if not all of them) exceeded them.   With that in mind, what are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the new guys? What do they bring to the table as players, competitors, and people? To break it all down, Andy Kamenetzky is joined by Tony Jones (@tjonesonthenba), who has a unique (and extremely useful, for these purposes) beat covering both the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. This makes Jones highly familiar with Kessler, Grimes, and Sexton, and he was kind enough to share some intel. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Tony Jones (The Athletic) Segment 1: Kessler scouting report. Segment 2: Grimes scouting report Segment 3: Sexton scouting report Photo credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers' offseason churn never stops... and in this case, that's a good thing!   On Monday afternoon, two pieces of positive news broke for the Lakers. First, the Lakers signed young Nets free agent wing Ziaire Williams to a one-year veteran's minimum deal. The L.A. product (high school teammates with Bronny James!) is young (24), long (6'9"), athletic (40-inch vert), and, most importantly, a wing... all traits the Lakers have needed to add more of this offseason. Williams is a far more established (if still unproven, all in all) as a defensive player than as a scorer, but the Lakers also lack the former muuuuuuuuch more than the latter, so in that sense, the signing makes a lot of sense. Williams will have a real opportunity at a role and minutes. Worst case scenario, it's a low risk, low reward addition. Best case, incredible value.   And speaking of value, it would be an overstatement to call Austin Reaves "incredible value" at 4 years, $180M... but it beats 4 years, $185M, the original reported terms of his new deal. Reaves gave the Lakers a bit of a discount to help with future roster-building flexibility. What will become of this, who knows? But it's still a team-focused move that even fans cynical of Reaves should appreciate it.   Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers pick up their Summer League run in Vegas on Tuesday vs. the Clippers, and are looking to extend a thus far undefeated run in Sin City. Obviously, as is the caveat with all things "Summer League," it ain't the NBA, not everything directly translates at the Big Boy level, yada, yada, yada. But with that duly noted and acknowledged, several players are creating understandable excitement among fans and folks covering the Lakers. First round rookie Cameron Carr. Second round pick/second year (kinda) player Adou Thiero. South Bay Lakers defensive ace Chris Mañon. And South Bay Lakers holdover Arthur Kaluma, whose eye-popping showing last weekend in Vegas may put Rob Pelinka to a decision about an elevated, two-way contract. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   Photo credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

On Sunday, the Lakers announced the official signings of Austin Reaves and Collin Sexton, following a CBA-mandated order of operations that contains no surprises, but also cements them as a team operating over the cap, meaning any new additions of significance (short of a killer veteran's minimum signing) must happen via trade. This matters because the Lakers are both short on proven wing players and trade assets. The Lakers are currently heavily linked to Hawks free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga and more lightly to Dallas forward PJ Washington. More names will certainly emerge, but in any event, the Lakers are staring down limited options to make necessary improvements. Can they pull it off? Plus, Andy (with Brian on vacation) opens the mailbag and takes questions assessing the roster as currently constructed. Segment 1: How will being over the cap affect the Lakers? Segment 2: State of the roster, glass half empty. Segment 3: State of the roster, glass half full.   Photo credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The assumption among many fans now that LeBron is out the door is that Bronny is soon to follow, or should be at least, whether that's because the Lakers push him out (why bother with him now that dad is gone) or another team acquires him as part of their LeBron Recruitment Pitch.  But is that how this is going to play out? Should it be?  The Lakers aren't going to release Bronny, knowing he's guaranteed $2.3 mil. And while he's not ready to be a rotation player yet, Bronny is still only 21 and made strides from year 1 to year 2. Would it be worth giving him another year to improve, and see what happens? Is Los Angeles the best spot for him, given the high expectations for the roster and relatively limited opportunities for playing time?  One thing is for sure, the hope here is that Bronny doesn't get treated like a prop joined with his dad, becaus that would undercut a lot of the work he's done over the last couple of seasons. At the least, you hope he has agency, so if he moves with LeBron, it's because he wants to.  Interesting situation for the Lakers.  Meanwhile, this Kawhi thing has gotten really weird in ways that actually felt kind of predictable.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

First things first - there's no indication that Dallas forward PJ Washington is actually on the market, but his name pops up all the time and in theory, there are reasons the Mavericks might want to move off his contract.  In theory.  But let's say it's true. Would the Lakers, who badly need a starting caliber forward (which Washington definitely) is, really not want to take on Washington because, as reported by Khobi Price of The California Post, they don't like his four year, $88 million contract? If that's the case, it would be very interesting to know why. Is it just a structural thing? Where in the new CBA you can't have three guys making what Luka, Austin and Kessler make and then add a fourth above $20 mil, per? Maybe there's an argument for that?  Is it a tax thing? Maybe there's an argument for that... though less of one now given who owns the team.  Maybe they just don't think Washington is that good?  Or maybe they like the upside-for-probably-less-money that would be Jonathan Kuminga?  Or maybe all of this is just smokescreens and lies!  These are the moments you really wish you could be a fly on the wall for personnel conversations.  Plus... is the potential circus of what might be LeBron's last season part of the reason the Lakers let him go?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Do the Lakers really not want PJ Washington?    SEGMENT 2: What could be the reasons why?    SEGMENT 3: Why the Lakers don't want to be part of the LeBronumentary.    PHOTO CREDIT: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers started into their business this week making official what was unofficial before. Tuesday, it was the business of finalizing the trade to send Deandre Ayton to Washington, before the Lakers used up their cap space, thus making Jaden Hardy aggregate-able in a future trade.  The Lakers have also signed Mamu, and Wednesday, made the Walker Kessler trade official. What's notable about all of this stuff is that there were no surprises in any of it. No last minute expansions of something like the Kessler trade. No happy acquisitions of extra draft capital or stuff like that. Which means we're all going to have to wait things out as the Lakers do the hard, potentially slow work of filling out the rest of the roster.  Which brings us to Jonathan Kuminga. Multiple reports indicate now that the Lakers are interested in Kuminga, and that Kuminga is interested in the Lakers. They just haven't found the right number, contractually (and the Lakers haven't yet found a way to clear the space for him, anyway). There's also a possibility of a sign and trade, if the Lakers and Hawks could agree on terms. One scenario would include the Lakers remaining pick swap in a deal that would net Kuminga AND excise Jarred Vanderbilt from the roster.  Would that be worth the cost (in money and (relative) treasure)?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are getting down to business.    SEGMENT 2: Is Kuminga as a sign and trade possible?    SEGMENT 3: How much is too much?    Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers, having traded Deandre Ayton, badly needed to address the backup center position, and on Tuesday did just that, signing veteran Kevon Looney, known mostly for his time in Golden State but most recently with the New Orleans Pelicans.  Looney is an interesting addition, because he's definitely a veteran who can provide a voice and guidance for a team that is now extremely young. But at nearly 31 years old when the season starts, there's reason to question how effective a player he'll be. His per minute numbers were broadly similar last year in New Orleans compared to his time with the Warriors, save shooting and scoring numbers that cratered. As did his some of his defensive metrics, but this could be more a function of the Pelicans than Looney.  He's still an aggressive rebounder, but his finishing around the rim has fallen off.  But what he really might be is a player designed to attract free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is the current apple of LA's eye as they try to fill out the roster. Of course, to get him, the Lakers will need to free up some space. The "how" there is yet to be determined. Is Kuminga worth the pursuit? They've apparently tried to lure him with a deal starting at 2 years and $20 million. Still work to do!    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: The Lakers sign Looney   SEGMENT 2: Pursing Jonathan Kuminga, hard!   SEGMENT 3: Can they open up space?    Photo Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

We learned Monday morning that Rui Hachimura will be heading to Inglewood to join the Clippers next season, on a two year deal worth $28 million (with the second season a team option). The Lakers had reportedly hoped they might be able to keep Hachimura around, but clearly he hasn't been a priority, given the number of players they've already brought in, and the fact that Rui has been extension eligible for a while, and yet here we are.  So why is he gone?  For starters, the Lakers simply seem to be prioritizing players they believe are more multi-dimensional than Rui, who has essentially one dimension... it just happens to be one (shooting) that he's fairly elite at (by percentage at least) and is always in demand.  It's reasonable to let Rui go, but it doesn't change the fact that the Lakers have holes around the roster that need filling. The question becomes how.  Meanwhile, why exactly did the Lakers and LeBron break up?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky  SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lost Rui. Now what?  SEGMENT 2: What the shift says about the team's priorities.  SEGMENT 3: Why LeBron and the Lakers broke up.    PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers need some wins in the draft and player development space after swings and misses on Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dalton Knecht.  Well, Cameron Carr looks like that guy, through two California Classic games, at least.  Carr has displayed the rangy, top shelf athleticism and excellent shooting skills (coming off screens, relcating, catch and shoot and so on) from beyond the arc. Needless to say, after two very good showings in early play, he's got Lakers fans (and surely the Lakers) excited. Looking great in Summer League isn't a guarantee a player will be successful at the NBA level -- the more predictive warning flags come when a player doesn't look good -- but it's never a bad thing for your guy to look like he's one of the best players on the floor, and that's been Carr.  Adou Thiero, meanwhile, followed up a wild, out of control effort on Friday with a much more controlled and productive effort on Sunday. The gap between Theiro and meaningful playing time might really be related to how effectively he can slow things down, and make sure he's not he's losing his fundamentals and making too many mistakes.  And then there are the two-way guys, Chris Manon, AK Okereke and Peter Suder. How are they looking?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

As the Lakers reportedly try to open up the space to continue adding to what is currently a guard-heavy, wing/forward-light roster, there was at least some hope that they could find a way to bring Rui Hachimura back.  Well, that's not a thing anymore.  Reports on Monday have Hachimura moving crosstown to the Clippers, on a two-year, $28 million contract. Rui was definitely a fan favorite, and a truly killer playoff performer, but also has serious limitations in his game, namely rebounding, passing and defense. He might have had a more natural role this year given LeBron's departure, but we'll never know.  In the meantime... the Lakers really need to figure out how they're going to clear some space, and obviously attention will shift even more heavily to free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. And they still need a backup center, given the trade of Deandre Ayton to Washington.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

One of the big moves the Lakers made after the big Walker Kessler trade was to wrap up former Raptors PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili. The Georgian vet has been a darling of the analytics community for a while, but had a breakout year last season, showing chops as a passer, rebounder and energy-bringer. But enough to justify a four year, $52 million contract?  The Lakers hope so.  But is Mamu a power forward? A center? Can he play starters minutes? Can he hold up enough defensively to perhaps even outplay that contract?  And what does Mamu look like on a Luka Doncic-led squad?  To answer all of these questions and more, we bring in Sean Woodley, host of Locked On Raptors for a comprehensive scouting report.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Sean Woodley!   SEGMENT 1: What led to Mamu's breakout season last year?    SEGMENT 2: Can Mamu handle a bigger role?    SEGMENT 3: Reaction!   Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.  IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers are trying to open up enough space to bring in one more impact player this offseason, and started that business on Friday by trading backup center Deandre Ayton to Washington for guard Jaden Hardy (who is kind of incidental to this whole transaction), and two second round picks.  The Lakers also save about two million dollars, which will be very helpful both for the free agent Tetris on the guys they already have, but also for creating room to bring other players in.  Now attention will turn to the other "dead" spots on the Lakers roster, most notably Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt. These picks give the Lakers a little sweetener to move one or both along, perhaps avoiding the need to use a waive'n'stretch on either. (For reference, the cost for the Rockets to move off Dorian Finney-Smith on Friday was three second rounders.) So what's coming for the Lakers? What else can they do to red paper clip their way up to what is almost certainly targeted as a starting or rotation caliber wing/PF? Would it be Jonathan Kuminga? Rui Hachimura? Hard to know, but it's gonna be someone, if they can make it happen.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

The Lakers want to make fans happy, they always like the good vibes that come with approval from the media.  But the person they really need to make happy? That's Luka Dončić. And on that front, multiple reports indicate that Team Luka is on board with what the Lakers have done, and is very enthusiastic about the addition of Walker Kessler, which is obviously important because he's now part of this team's Big Three going forward. And while you'd expect Luka to say nice things just to avoid creating controversial headlines, you'd also bet most of your paycheck that the Lakers didn't just spend all of their draft capital as well as actual money on a core player at a position he values highly without sign off.  And it's easy to see why he'd like this roster. Offensively, it seems to set up as the type of team he'd like, with some basket attacking ability, enough outside shooting to get the job done, and a center who can both anchor a defense and also set a screen then finish above the rim.  There's some coherence, and a good degree of continuity. Now there are also structural problems, particularly defensively and on the wing. But everyone now knows what the issues are, and can try and figure out how to solve them. It won't be easy, given the near total lack of controllable draft assets, but everyone knows what they are. Clarity can be beneficial.  Meanwhile, the Lakers are clearly trying to add more talent this summer. How is unknown, but they'll certainly explore trades, while waive-and-stretch scenarios, starting with Jarred Vanderbilt but potentially extending to Deandre Ayton as well, whether for an upside athlete like Jonathan Kuminga, or ... Rui Hachimura? He's still unsigned, and ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Wednesday that the Lakers are still hoping to figure out a way to bring him back.    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   SEGMENT 1: Luka approves!   SEGMENT 2: Why it might not be B.S...   SEGMENT 3: What about Kuminga? Or ... Rui?   Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton. These are the big names we know will be on the roster next year after a flurry of activity on Wednesday.  There's a lot to like about the new guys, starting with youth (Austin Reaves is now the oldest player on the team), offensive players who can put pressure on the rim, a defensive anchor in Kessler, multi-year contracts that can give the Lakers a little continuity going forward, and so on. There's stuff to worry about, most notably the lack of a wing defender (or really, wings at all). The Lakers gave up all their draft capital to get Kessler. They don't have a lot of defenders outside of him, and even guys like Grimes, who is a solid player on that end, isn't big enough to guard up with regularity.  So are they better than they were before?  Well, it depends on how you define better, and what else the Lakers might do over the course of the offseason (and into next year). Because remember, nobody thought they could get to the level of OKC or San Antonio in one transaction season.  So how much closer are they?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

Tuesday's opening to NBA free agency was boring.  Wednesday was poppin'.  The Lakers got off to a fast start, coming to terms with Utah center Walker Kessler on the terms of a contract (4 years, $130 million), and the Jazz on the terms of a trade (two firsts, two pick swaps). Then they signed PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili, SG Quentin Grimes and PG Collin Sexton. So that's the nuts and bolts of it until the Lakers can find a way to move someone else off the roster, or presumably use that final roster spot on a vet minimum deal.  But are the Lakers better? What's to like, what's not to like in the day's activity. How well are the Lakers set to compete going forward?    HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky    SEGMENT 1: Recapping a huge day for LA.    SEGMENT 2: Is Kessler a good fit? How about Mamu and Grimes?    SEGMENT 3: Why the Lakers needed a backup PG.  PHOTO CREDIT: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.

It took a minute, but once things shook loose the Lakers VERY quickly reshaped their roster for the Luka Dončić era. The massive piece of business (metaphorically and literally) was the agreement to acquire Utah center Walker Kessler, all 7'2", 245 lbs. of him, for a huge price. Two unprotected first round picks, two pick swaps. Otherwise known as basically everything they had that Utah would want. But the Lakers got their man. He's 25 years old, has produced incredibly positive defensive numbers, and should be a good partner for Luka in the screen and roll, and as a finisher above the rim. Was the price too high? Maybe. Is Kessler currently worth that premium? Probably not yet. Could he get there? He'd better! And after that, the rest of the dominos fell. Long term deals for SG (and sometimes SF) Quentin Grimes and PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili, along with scoring guard Collin Sexton. The Lakers might be able to make some tweaks going forward, but the roster seems mostly formed.   So are they in a better spot now than a week ago?   HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky   Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images     Everydayer Club   If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.   FANDUEL 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.