Buha's Block with Jovan Buha

Jovan Buha takes stock of the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster one week into 2024 free agency.

Jovan covers LA's roster and cap situation, their depth chart, Rui Hachimura vs. Jarred Vanderbilt for the starting small forward spot, positional caveats, why the backend of the roster needs improvement, the potential addition of Gary Trent Jr., where LA ranks in the crowd West, the primary reasons for optimism with their roster, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:13 A thank you as we approach 15K on YouTube!
1:48 LA’s roster and cap situation
3:16 Depth chart 1.0
6:00 Rui vs. Vando as the starting SF
11:37 An important positional caveat
12:40 The backend of the roster needs improvement
17:47 Where LA ranks in the West as is
19:00 Reasons for optimism with the Lakers’ roster
21:05 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and taking a $2.7 million discount. He also analyzes the Lakers' 108-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the opening game of the California Classic.

Jovan covers what LeBron taking a discount means for LA, the Lakers' options now, the best-case scenario, Maxwell Lewis' impressive finishing, the learning curve for Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, Blake Hinson's 3-point shooting, Tommy Kushe's stellar play, Colin Castleton's passing and skill, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:56 What LeBron taking a discount means for LA
6:26 Takeaway No. 1: Maxwell Lewis
9:32 Takeaway No. 2: Bronny James and Dalton Knecht
18:29 Takeaway No. 3: Blake Hinson, Colin Castleton & Armel Traore
22:30 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James planning to re-sign with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million deal with a no-trade clause and player option on the second season. He also analyzes the Lakers adding Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks to JJ Redick's coaching staff.

Jovan covers what LeBron re-signing means, how McMillan and Brooks fit, the ways the Lakers can avoid the second apron, why Max Christie's cap hold -- and not LeBron's -- is actually the key, LA's only path to improvement being a trade, the present vs. the future, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:56 What LeBron signing a 1+1 max contract means for LA
7:34 The Lakers hire Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks
11:24 The ways LA can get under the second apron
16:33 The Lakers’ only path to improvement is a trade now
21:45 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers pivoting to DeMar DeRozan after Klay Thompson turned them down to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Jovan covers DeMar DeRozan's potential fit with the Lakers, why I don't think he makes much sense next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis given his weaknesses, DeRozan vs. Jerami Grant, how the Lakers could fit Derozan onto the roster, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:22 DeMar DeRozan is another target for the Lakers
1:10 Why I’m skeptical of DeRozan’s fit in LA
4:33 DeRozan vs. Jerami Grant
7:29 A reminder of LA’s roster constraints
7:56 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Angeles Lakers re-signing restricted free agent Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million deal with a player option on the fourth year.

Jovan covers why he thinks this is a good and fair deal for both sides, Christie’s potential, LA’s belief in him for next season and beyond, how the Lakers can clear roster spots, what this could mean for both LeBron James and the use of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, the trade restrictions on Christie’s contract, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:50 Why this deal makes sense for both sides
7:25 Why LA likely needs to make a consolidation trade (or two)
12:05 What this could indicate about LA’s free-agency plans
14:41 The trade restrictions on Christie’s contract
16:01 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James opting out of his contract and what's next for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.

Jovan covers why LeBron opted out, why it helps LA, the possibility of him taking a pay cut, the current roster and financial situation, what I'm hearing about Klay Thompson, how Klay would fit in LA, Max Christie, why the Lakers have no excuses not to upgrade this roster, what an ideal Lakers offseason looks like, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:24 Why LeBron opted out and how a pay cut could work
6:10 How the Lakers can keep Max Christie
9:36 What Cam Reddish opting in means
10:34 Where things stand currently
11:19 Why LA likely needs to make a consolidation trade
12:30 How Klay Thompson would fit with the Lakers
21:35 LA has no excuse to not upgrade this roster
24:41 What an ideal Lakers offseason now looks like
27:32 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell opting into his $18.7 million player option for next season. He also covers Jaxson Hayes opting into his $2.5 million player option for next season.

Jovan analyzes Russell's future in Los Angeles, his report for The Athletic that the Lakers are "expected to be aggressive in pursuing Russell-centric trades," the rest of the West making aggressive win-now moves, why the Lakers now have a chance to do the same, what Jaxson Hayes opting in means, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 What DLo opting in means for his future in LA
4:01 The rest of the West is being aggressive
4:51 LA has the flexibility now to make a trade
6:56 What Jaxson Hayes opting in means for LA
8:08 Outro

I react to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting USC guard Bronny James — son of Lakers star LeBron James — with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jovan covers the complexities with the Lakers selecting Bronny, his opinion on the backlash, why this is a historic moment, Bronny’s athleticism and defense, why his shot will likely determine his NBA future, the ongoing development plan for Bronny, LA’s potential roster crunch, my thoughts on their two new two-way players and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:18 My thoughts on the Bronny-Lakers complexities and backlash
9:17 Takeaway No. 1: This is a historic moment
11:56 Takeaway No. 2: Bronny has legitimate NBA attributes
18:12 Takeaway No. 3: His shot will likely determine his future
20:46 Takeaway No. 4: LA is still designing his development plan
24:13 Takeaway No. 5: The Lakers are facing a potential roster crunch
30:55 Bonus takeaway: Thoughts on the two-way signings
33:15 Outro

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jovan covers how Knecht could be the steal of the draft, why the Lakers were surprised he fell to them, how they might use him offensively, why JJ Redick is the ideal mentor for him, the potential concerns with Knecht, how LeBron James and Anthony Davis could feel about the Lakers' draft-day inactivity and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:35 Takeaway No. 1: Knecht could be the steal of the draft
4:29 Takeaway No. 2: Knecht is a legit shooting weapon
7:03 Takeaway No. 3: Knecht is a three-level threat
9:24 Takeaway No. 4: JJ Redick is the ideal mentor
11:57 Takeaway No. 5: The potential concerns with drafting Knecht
20:20 Takeaway No. 6: What happens next?
24:27 Outro

Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Amick of The Athletic — the first two-time guest of the show! — to discuss Sam's reporting on Tuesday about LeBron James and Anthony Davis wanting the Los Angeles Lakers to upgrade the roster with elite talent.

Jovan and Sam discuss Sam's story, LeBron’s longstanding desire for a third star, AD wielding his power more recently, players that qualify as upgrades in LeBron and AD's eyes, Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ read on their roster, the potential outcomes if the Lakers stand pat, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:04 LeBron’s motivations entering the offseason
7:27 Is it a third-star-or-bust proposition for LeBron and AD?
11:01 LA’s public messaging about player development
13:40 What is AD’s role in all of this?
18:42 How do the Lakers read this situation?
24:52 Outro

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