The Lakers Avoid Sweep, Win Game 4 vs. Nuggets 119-108, Anthony Davis, LeBron Dominate.

Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosts Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the Purple and Gold since 2005 for media outlets including the LA Times, ESPN and The Athletic, offer traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor to provide expert, local analysis. Locked On Lakers takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Lakers locker room and all over the NBA. The Locked On Lakers podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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Well, it was fun while it lasted. 

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Lakers were among the teams that were ready to go with an offer for Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell should he become available. After all, there have been persistent questions about whether or not Mitchell would agree to a (very lucrative) extension with the Cavs, or try to force his way out. 

Thursday, at least, seemed to diffuse that notion. Additional reporting suggested that Mitchell wants to build a winner in Cleveland,  something bigger than a team that advances a round each year before getting bounced. Now, all of this could be posturing, and until he actually signs an extension people will wonder...

...but this does seem to indicate Mitchell is more likely than not going to stay in Cleveland. 

So what's next for LA? On the one hand, there's a legitimate argument to be made that emptying the cupboard for Spida is not a good idea, because the Lakers would be painfully thin and asset free going forward. (There's also an argument to be made for getting him, because he's really good, is not even 30 and isn't positionally redundant to the team's other stars.) But bigger than that, if Mitchell isn't an option, that takes the "easy" road off the table, and demands Rob Pelinka make some harder choices, and do more crafty GMing. Is he up to the job? 

It might help if the Lakers had a head coach, and to that end, the robots are weighing in with suggestions. In fact, the robots might be responsible for laying out the criteria LA is looking for in its next head man. 



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Donovan Mitchell may be off the market before he gets on it. 

SEGMENT 2: If not Mitchell, who? 

SEGMENT 3: Did ChatGPT provide the qualities Rob and Jeanie Buss want in a coach? 



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Mitchell Staying in Cleveland? Darius Garland an Option? Plus, Chat GPT Hires the Lakers Next Coach!

Introducing How the Timberwolves Beat the Nuggets to Force a Game 7 from Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association. Follow the show: Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association We have a Game 7 between the Nuggets and Timberwolves! Wes Goldberg and Adam Mares break down an impressive Game 6 Wolves win and ask if the Nuggets have another response in them. Plus, are Donovan Mitchell’s days in Cleveland numbered, or will the Cavaliers hold on to their star player?Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply. BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.eBay MotorsFrom brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. FanDuelFanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARANTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.  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)  
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The dirt has barely settled on the 2023-24 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers after they lost to Boston in Game 5 Wednesday night, but that means it's now time to talk about the future of Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs star has the opportunity to sign an extension worth A LOT of money to stay where he is for a while, but at the same time, there have been persistent rumors that Mitchell wants out. 

And if he does, many teams are ready to jump on the opportunity. One, of course, is the Lakers. 

Reports indicate the Lakers have their offer ready to go, should Mitchell become available. It would like have to be, basically, everything. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, all the picks and pick swaps the Lakers can muster. Cleveland should ask for Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie (rules for RFAs notwithstanding) and everything else not nailed to the floor. 

Should the Lakers jump at the chance? Would they be better with Trae Young? Giving up much less for Dejounte Murray? Trying use assets to upgrade the depth? 

They only get one swing at this, if they go for a star. Is Mitchell the right one? 

More reports indicating that JJ Redick is at the front of the line for the Lakers in the coaching search, this one from Marc Stein. It might be his job to lose? But would the perception that he's too much a LeBron hire keep the Lakers from pulling the trigger? It kept them away from Ty Lue... 



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are ready to make an offer for Donovan Mitchell.



SEGMENT 2: Is Mitchell the best way to go? 



SEGMENT 3: Why would the Lakers back away from Redick? 



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Report: Lakers Ready to Make an Offer for Donovan Mitchell. Plus, Coaching Search Updates.

Things are shifting, at least a bit, as the Lakers begin their coaching search in earnest this week. Reports indicate that JJ Redick is still at the head of the class, but rather than former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson filling the role of "guy with experience as a head coach," the Lakers are more focused on former Hornets/Magic coach James Borrego. And joining them? Long time NBA assistant (and before that, long time NBA point guard) Sam Cassell. 

Cassell, especially, is a new name for the mix and one that would, in theory, seem to check a lot of boxes for the Lakers. 

The Lakers are likely to widen the scope of their search as the playoffs continue, and guys like Micah Nori (Minnesota) and David Adelman (Denver) become available for interviews, but who starts the race in front makes a difference. (Just ask teams who begin the season ranked 21st in the college football polls how hard it is to get to the front of the line.) 

Meanwhile, the Lakers also have a list of qualities they're looking for in their next coach, and it's a very long list... of absolutely obvious things you'd want in a coach. Surely there are other, more technical things the Lakers want, but for the stuff they've leaked? Tremendous airspace for Captain Obvious to fly. 

Meanwhile, they're getting advice from Coach K. About all their candidates? Just about (former Duke star) Redick? Who's to say? But the notion of the Lakers turning to someone like him is very on brand. 



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: Sam Cassell has entered the chat. 

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers want everything (and everything obvious) in their next coach. 

SEGMENT 3: Coach K, Konsultant? 



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Cassell, Borrego Join JJ Redick as Early Favorites for Lakers Coaching Job. Plus, Coach K Advising?

The Lakers were not participants in the weekend's NBA Draft Lottery. Not directly, at least. 

Indirectly, however? Yeah, they're involved. Because when the Atlanta Hawks won the thing (despite only having a 3% chance of doing so), earning the top pick, it added an unexpected wrinkle to this offseason. If the Hawks decide to put guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray on the market, the Lakers are expected to be interested in both. 

But does winning the top pick make Atlanta more or less likely to put folks on the market? Does it mean the price goes up or down? 

And which of those guys should they target? 

And is the answer neither, if Donovan Mitchell is available? 

How the Lakers view this question philosophically will reveal a lot about the direction they go this summer. Could continuity still be on the table? The Lakers and D'Angelo Russell could remain in a relationship of mutual need. There is no rule that says Rui Hachimura must be traded. They don't have to reconstruct the roster completely. 

But they could!

Meanwhile, Bronny James looks (for now at least) like he's staying in the Draft. How might the Lakers react to that? And why was LeBron in Cleveland watching Cavs/Celtics on Monday? CONSPIRACY THEORY TIME! 



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: How the Draft Lottery might shake up LA's offseason. 

SEGMENT 2: Murray or Young? Young or Murray? Or neither? 

SEGMENT 3: Bronny and the Draft, LeBron and ... intrigue!!!



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eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

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FanDuel
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The Lakers Avoid Sweep, Win Game 4 vs. Nuggets 119-108, Anthony Davis, LeBron Dominate.

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