Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton has been a polarizing center since nearly the moment the former first overall pick began his NBA career. While the raw talent is undisputed (and to be fair, often on display), questions about Ayton's desire, professionalism, and true passion for the game have dogged him for years. He's also been a regular scapegoat for underwhelming seasons taking place while he was a member of the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers. Is this fair? Unfair? A bit of both?

To get a better idea of Ayton as a player, a person, and a professional basketball employee, Andy talked with guests Mike Richman (Locked On Blazers) and Sean Highkin (The Rose Garden Report), both of whom have covered the team for many years and had a front row seat for the center's time in Portland.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guests Mike Richman  (Locked On Blazers) and Sean Highkin (The Rose Garden Report)

Segment 1: Mike Richman talks Ayton.

Segment 2: More with Mike Richman.

Segment 3: Sean Highkin talks Ayton.

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July is nearing a close, which makes it a good time to take stock of the work Rob Pelinka has done since free agency began. Has the Lakers' roster sufficiently improved when evaluated against realistic expectations? What moves could (or should) Pelinka have made instead of adding (thus far) Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero, and (a re-signed) Jaxson Hayes? Does his approach offer room for more growth and (just as importantly) creativity? 

To discuss this and more (including the case for LeBron James being best situated to win a title by staying in L.A.), Andy welcomes Harrison Faigen (SBNation, Silver Screen and Roll). 

Segment 1: Evaluating Rob Pelinka's offseason 

Segment 2: More on Pelinka's moves, plus the whole "2027 plan" reports. 

Segment 3: Andy and Harrison discuss why LeBron's best chance at winning a title may be with the Lakers.) 

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Jake LaRavia isn't a particularly well-established NBA commodity, between his previous stints with two smaller-market teams (the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings), his inconsistent first two seasons in the league, and a lack of star status. But the role player potentially brings some important skill sets and attributes to the Lakers, and is being counted on to play a key role in the rotation next season.

To break down LaRavia's strengths, weaknesses, and fit with the Lakers, Andy spoke with Joe Mullinax (Locked On Grizzlies) and Matt George (Locked On Kings)

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guests Joe Mullinax (Locked On Grizzlies) and Matt George (Locked On Kings)

Segment 1: Joe Mullinax's thoughts on LaRavia.

Segment 2: Matt George's thoughts on LaRavia

Segment 3: Andy reacts to their scouting reports, plus offers a commonality between LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton.

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The Kamenetzky Brothers further discuss how the Lakers will benefit from the imminent signing of defensive guard Marcus Smart, whether he'll enter the starting lineup, and other areas where his presence will make an impact. Of course, creating cap space for Smart meant waiving Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin, the latter of whom may be periodically missed next season. Was this a reasonable cost of doing business? Plus, a good summer for Rob Pelinka?
 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

Segment 1: More thoughts on Marcus Smart. Will he potentially start?

Segment 2: Did it make sense to waive Goodwin to create the space for Smart?

Segment 3: More on Smart's place in the lineup.

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The Lakers and defensive stalwart guard Marcus Smart have been linked in rumors for much of the offseason, given the Lakers' need for defensive upgrades, particularly along the perimeter, and the high likelihood that a rebuilding Washington Wizards squad wouldn't have much use for Smart. Finally, the expected buyout has been agreed upon, and Shams Charania, Marc Stein, and others are reporting that Smart will sign with the Lakers once clearing waivers.

What will Smart bring to the Lakers? And what does it mean Luka Dončić reportedly helped recruit Smart? Some quick reactions to these and other questions.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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Context is key in most things. So when it comes to LeBron James, would the context around the conversation about his offseason feelings change if this was going to be his last season? 

It's something that needs to be considered, at least, says ESPN's Dave McMenamin: "I think we have to start thinking that this could be his last year in the league," ESPN's Dave McMenamin said. "Rich Paul [James' agent] told me there was no extension talk, because they didn't ask for an extension. They didn't broach the subject. Now, you could say, why didn't the Lakers offer it? Sure, you could. But Paul's point to me was this wasn't a point of tension.... It's not something that they were pursuing. So I think you look at it as, yeah, there's a very limited time remaining in his career," McMenamin continued. "We kinda already knew that. We knew that, basically, since he reached 20 years in the league, he's gone into every offseason contemplating retirement."

It would certainly make sense for LeBron to want to the Lakers to be as aggressive as possible if this is his swan song... but at the same time, does anyone think James would have less urgency to find the best chance of winning if he had two seasons left? Or that this is any different than basically every other offseason of his career? 

Sure, this is the first time in a long time he has a definitive end point to his contract that he doesn't control... but it's also the first time in a long time (in this case, ever) that LeBron has no real leverage other than PR. 

It remains a fascinating situation, because the league has never seen anything like this. There's just no comp. 

Meanwhile... Bronny continues to thrive in Summer League, while Dalton Knecht continues to struggle. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: Last season for Bronny? 

SEGMENT 2: Could that explain the offseason? 

SEGMENT 3: SPL update! 

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It's possible things get moving a little faster now that Phoenix has bought out Bradley Beal, who reportedly will sign a two year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. It's a nice deal for the LAC, and a mild disappointment for the Lakers, who were reportedly among the teams vying for Beal's services.

But at the least it should, or at least could, shake the rest of free agency loose. Teams that had been waiting for clarity on Beal might start making more concrete offers to remaining FAs like De'Anthony Melton, Al Horford and so on.

For the Lakers, would Darius Bazley, who has played well in Summer League, be the most viable option?

Meanwhile, as things seem to settle down around LeBron James, it's reasonable to ask, what is it he really wants? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: Beal to the Clips. 

SEGMENT 2: What's next on the market?

SEGMENT 3: What's LeBron really looking for? 

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The free agent market has another name coming. Veteran wing Josh Okogie will be let go by the Charlotte Hornets, and once he clears waivers (which he will), will become one of the more intriguing low-key names on the market. 

Why? Because while Okogie has some limitations offensively (he's a career 40% shooter from the floor, and 29.9% from downtown) the guy can defend. That's a skill that's valued around the league, and is in short supply on the Lakers. Especially at what would almost certainly be at or close to a vet minimum deal. 

So would the Lakers make a play for him with the roster slot they presumably will open up by letting Shake Milton go. (This bit of business needs to be done by July 20th.) Or maybe the Lakers are still in play for De'Anthony Melton, who also fills a defensive need while being a better offensive player. Reporting is out there that Al Horford is still considering the Lakers, if he decides to play instead of heading to retirement. 

The Lakers still could use someone to round out the rotation and fill a hole in the collective skill set. Would Okogie make sense? 

Meanwhile, August 2nd is the first day Luka Dončić is extension eligible on August 2nd. But don't be surprised if it takes a minute for him to put pen to paper, because of his obligations to Slovenia in Eurobasket. So when should the Lakers start to sweat? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Okogie? Horford? Someone else? 

SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers find some extra help somewhere? 

SEGMENT 3: Luka's timeline. 

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The Lakers came into last summer with a highly touted rookie in Dalton Knecht, and a curiosity taken in the second round in Bronny James. Bronny looked every bit like a nepo-baby in over his head last summer, and into the regular season, while Knecht played real minutes for the big club.

This summer, however, Bronny is the one who has looked far more consistent. James was the best player on the floor for the Lakers in their loss Monday night to the Summer Clippers. Knecht, meanwhile, was pretty awful throughout, continuing a summer of very lackluster play. Something worrisome given his age (24) and potentially dinged reputation after he fell out of the rotation late last year.

Should the Lakers be worried about Knecht? At the least, is it reasonable to think that LA's flexibility this offseason is being hampered by a devaluing of Knecht around the league? He's, in theory, one of their three big trade chips (Austin Reaves and their lone tradable first rounder being the others). Is that still the case? 

What does it mean for the Lakers if Knecht isn't a viable trade chip? Could it ultimately be a blessing in disguise... or a moment we all look back on as a pivot point in LA's future plans? 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Dalton Knecht is struggling. 

SEGMENT 2: Bronny James is thriving. 

SEGMENT 3: What to do if you're the Lakers? 

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Lakers media continues to peel back the layers of the ever-evolving relationship between the team and LeBron James. 

It's become pretty clear that the pairing isn't nearly as tight as it once was, with James now clearly playing second fiddle (rightly) to Luka Dončić both in team schemes and roster building strategies. And it's certainly understandable that James wants the Lakers to be as good as they can possibly be this year, because his future extends maybe to next summer, probably not more than a year beyond that, and it's a lot more fun to be playing meaningful basketball than not. 

But the Lakers have to look at the next iteration of the team, going beyond LeBron's time on it. 

So what happens next? Is there a buyout coming? (Likely not, unless the season totally goes in the (bleep), which nobody wants to see.) A trade? Not exactly easy to put together, given LeBron's hefty salary and small list of teams he'd play with. 

But this tension is in many ways an avenue to discuss bigger questions about the direction of the team. Are they really just prioritizing 2026? Or even 2027? To the point they won't take on any real money that would sully their cap sheet? Would they make an aggressive move if the right player -- i.e. a star to pair next to Luka in a post-LeBron world -- presents itself? 

Or are they just spinning and trying to shape the narrative in an offseason that management promised would be very busy, and to this point has not? 

The offseason isn't over, but the questions are getting louder. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: LeBron vs. the Lakers? 

SEGMENT 2: What can be done, here? 

SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers really just waiting for cap space to clear up? 

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FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

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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