The Lakers did something that felt fairly inevitable, if not super popular, on Thursday, re-signing free agent center Jaxson Hayes to a one year, minimum level contract. 

Is this a perfect outcome? No, and it would still be nice to improve over him as a backup to Deandre Ayton, particularly given Ayton's rather extensive injury history. But the Lakers have plenty of runway either to sign another player if they'd like (they can release Shake Milton to open up a spot) or use one of their expiring contracts to acquire a player. We'll see. 

Is Hayes the right guy for the job? You can certainly argue he performed well enough last year to earn the gig. And playing against backup, or even third string centers (remember, in some circumstances at least Maxi Kleber will get minutes), he's fine. It would be nice to do better, but the move likely means Al Horford is probably off the table. 

Meanwhile, what is going on with the relationship between LeBron James and the Lakers? 

Is LeBron more inclined to leave, sooner rather than later? Even through a trade request? What happens if he makes one? What would that look like? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Hayes is back!

SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers done? 

SEGMENT 3: What's up with LeBron? 

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The Lakers have a center, and he's a pretty good one. Certainly a lot better than could reasonably have been hoped at the start of the offseason. Particularly at a tidy price of $8.3 million a year, for two years. On Wednesday, the Lakers agreed to terms with former Suns and Portland center Deandre Ayton, who was bought out by the Blazers over the weekend. 

Ayton comes with a lot of baggage, namely around health, motor and attention to detail, but is unquestionably productive. He's never averaged fewer than 10 rebounds a year, and has been a reliable source of 14-18 points a night. He's a viable lob threat, and an excellent pick and roll player. Defensively, Ayton isn't perfect, but is (when engaged) mobile on the perimeter, very solid on the defensive glass and with a 7'6" wingspan, can be a decent deterrent around the rim. 

So especially when you consider the Lakers surrendered nothing but (very below market) money to get him, Ayton represents as good an outcome as could be hoped for. Frankly, it's another example of a player just kind of landing in their laps, and taking advantage of it. But whatever. The Lakers have a significant upgrade at their biggest position of need, and still have tools to make some more modest improvements to the roster. 

All in all, a good day, one that should improve the mood around Laker Land and buy Rob Pelinka a little time to keep improving the team. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers sign Ayton. 

SEGMENT 2: How's the fit? 

SEGMENT 3: What's next? 

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He comes with baggage, yes, but new Lakers center Deandre Ayton also comes with production. 

In a down year last season with the Blazers, Ayton still averaged over 14 points and 10 rebounds a game. He's never averaged single digits on the boards in his career, and is a pretty reliable 14-18 point-a-night scorer. He's a lob threat. He's strong in the pick-and-roll, and he can hit the offensive glass. Paired with three great playmakers in Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves there's a ton of potential for Ayton to get a lot of easy buckets. 

The questions of professionalism (a lack of it, specifically) and availability are real. They are important. But Ayton represents a massive upgrade at the center position over what the Lakers used following the Anthony Davis deal. 

With about $5 mil more to spend and some potential trade chips, the Lakers are likely not done reforming the roster. But already, they're better than the group that finished the year. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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After promising a flurry of activity heading into the offseason, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers have been very quiet over the first two days of free agency. They signed forward Jake LaRavia on Monday, and Tuesday came and went with zero changes to the roster. 

There are rumors, for sure. The Lakers are still connected to guard De'Anthony Melton, and (more importantly) centers Deandre Ayton and (in a new development) veteran Al Horford. Getting both would require someone, likely Horford, to leave money on the table, but it's growing increasingly more critical for the Lakers to land at least one of them. Certainly in terms of upside, and a skill set the Lakers need, Ayton fills the role better. But man alive, there are red flags. 

Horford, meanwhile, offers a higher floor and more predictability, but is that enough to move the needle for the Lakers, who have to make up ground on conference rivals? Plus, Horford, pushing 40, is coming off a down year. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: No movement on Tuesday. 

SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers really trying to make changes, or is the move to prioritize flexibility next offseason, or for '27? 

SEGMENT 3: Ayton or Horford? 

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Day 1 has come and gone, and the Lakers were quiet on the transaction front Monday, as free agency opened (officially) across the NBA. 

Two big moves that impacted the team directly. First, Dorian Finney-Smith left (as was becoming apparent), heading to Houston on a four-year deal. That's more than the Lakers wanted to offer the 32-year old forward, which is understandable. They quickly responded by signing forward Jake LaRavia from Sacramento for two years at $12 mil (or so). LaRavia isn't as accomplished as DFS, but is also a decade younger and is coming off an upside semi-breakout season, the first where he's had access to consistent playing time. 

LaRavia, at the least, defends some on the perimeter, and can shoot (42% last season). 

After that? Crickets. 

That said, free agency isn't over, the Lakers have some money left to spend, and are rumored to be very much in play for center Deandre Ayton, who can't sign with another team until he clears waivers after his buyout in Portland, and De'Anthony Melton, who (if healthy) would add real perimeter D to the rotation. That, given the dollars available to spend, would be a decent outcome. The Lakers would need to find a few other parts, but would have gotten younger, added a little D, and found a center (albeit a risky one). 

Will it happen? 

Or are the Lakers falling back into a common trap? It's reported they're trying to maintain maximum flexibility for the summer of 2027. Yes, not next summer, but the one after that. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: DFS out, LaRavia in. 

SEGMENT 2: What are the Lakers doing next? 

SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers looking at '27? 

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A VERY busy day for the Lakers, as players and teams around the league faced a deadline to pick up or decline options for the upcoming season. 

For the Lakers, the big name was LeBron James. Expected to pick up his $52.6 million option, that's exactly what he did, except it came with some very strong messaging from Rich Paul. Via ESPN: "LeBron wants to compete for a championship... He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

"We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him."

That can mean a lot. Obviously LBJ has put pressure on Lakers management before. But there's no question this statement from Paul contains a tremendous amount of language that seems to shade in the past tense. Very little forward looking. Does that mean he might ask for a trade? If so, to where? And when? Obviously the Lakers are building around Luka Doncic... but how fast might that rebuild happen? 

In terms of this season's team, one of the more important questions that could help answer these questions came when forward Dorian Finney-Smith declined his $15 million player option. That potentially opens up space for the Lakers to use a full midlevel exception of about $14  million vs. a $6 million taxpayer midlevel. That certainly opens up  the field for the Lakers, who could use that extra cash on multiple players. Of course, some of it would need to go to replacing DFS. But could they find a younger, more athletic wing? 

Finally, in a solid move that makes sense for everyone, the Lakers picked up their option on guard Jordan Goodwin. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Special Guest Daman Rangoola!!!

SEGMENT 1: LeBron picks up his option. 

SEGMENT 2: What now, after Rich Paul sends a message? 

SEGMENT 3: What to do with DFS? 

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LeBron James is opting in, as expected, picking up his $52 million player option for next season. 

That part, no surprise. What did make headlines via ESPN were Rich Paul's comments after the announcement: 

"LeBron wants to compete for a championship," Paul told ESPN. "He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

"We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him."

Obviously a lot of messaging, there. Putting pressure on the team to build a winner, perhaps laying the groundwork for an exit from the team. It even, you could argue, says he's planning to play a couple years beyond this season... or making it clear he's not. As a practical outcome, this is good for the Lakers, because it sets a definitive end date, if they choose, with James. It gives them agency. But it adds a lot of intrigue. 

Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith is opting out of the final year of his deal, creating a very intriguing situation for the Lakers, who could open up a full mid-level if he walks... but then would also have to replace him. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers didn't have a first round pick in this year's NBA Draft, but they did enter Thursday's Day 2 with the 55th pick. One they managed to red paper clip their way—with the benefit of a little cash‚up to the 45th selection, and then with one more trade, up to 36. There, they selected Arkansas forward Adou Thiero, a 6'8" (6'6.25" at the Combine) wing with top level athleticism and an insane motor. He lacks offensive polish, but at that stage of the Draft represents an excellent gamble. 

If he's able to develop enough of an offensive game, Thiero will fill a major need on the roster, namely athleticism and defense. 

Moreover, the Lakers were solid in their process here, using the tool they had available (money) to get a player they wanted with a skill set they lacked. Were he a fully polished player, Thiero wouldn't have been available this late in the Draft. But there are reasons to believe he's got potential to improve as a shooter. 

We break it down with special guest Claire de Lune, who does outstanding work covering the NBA for The Guardian. 

Where do the Lakers go from here? How hard will it be to build a team that can compete in a brutal Western Conference? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers trade up, get wing from Arkansas. 
 

SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers pick up a C? 

SEGMENT 3: Competing in a brutal Western Conference. 

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The Lakers were (no surprise) quiet on the first night of the NBA Draft. They didn't have a pick, and didn't have much leeway to acquire one. Meanwhile, few players switched teams (with one very notable exception), so there weren't many opportunities for the Lakers to sneak into another team's deal. So what happens now? 

Especially since one thing is clear: Centers are once again VERY highly valued around the league. 

With that in mind, would it be smart to pivot to different needs? Perhaps on the wing? Miami's Andrew Wiggins can be had, reportedly.

HOSTS: Brian Kamenetzky with Guest Anthony Irwin! 

 

SEGMENT 1: What happened on the first night of the NBA Draft? 

SEGMENT 2: Centers are valuable again. 

SEGMENT 3: How about Andrew Wiggins? 

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