Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

It's August, so there's not really a news cycle to follow, which is good because it leaves space to have in-depth conversations with someone like friend-of-the-show Aaron Larsuel about the just-ended Paris games. It's a chance to think not just about what the games did for LeBron's legacy and Anthony Davis's reputation, but also how the performances impact what's coming for the Lakers this season.

 

Davis, for example, was in fantastic shape for the tournament. Does that put him ahead of the game heading into training camp in a few weeks? Is there a real risk of residual fatigue?

 

What lessons can the Lakers learn from the ways in which Davis was deployed?

 

As for LeBron, he said himself that he can't picture playing in the LA games four years from now. But is it that far fetched? The answer to that question seems to have much more to do with LeBron's willingness to play, as opposed to his capability, at least based on current trajectories. He's signed up for two years beyond this one. Getting to an Olympic year wouldn't require much more.

 

The Lakers, in their heart of hearts, likely didn't expect James to still be this good at age 40. And while the lack of drop off is a nice thing for them -- they've still got one of the league's elite players -- it also creates a problem around planning. If it's not that far-fetched that James might play in '28, or at least still be capable of it, definitionally it means he's still capable of playing for the Lakers.

Like a lot of things about LeBron, it's an unprecedented set of circumstances facing the team.

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky (with Aaron Larsuel)

 

SEGMENT 1: LeBron James, AD and the Olympics. What made the competition so much fun?

 

SEGMENT 2: What was at stake for James?

 

SEGMENT 3: Is it crazy to think James will play in '28? How can the Lakers plan for the future?

 

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The Lakers have a problem. Or at least seem to. 

D'Angelo Russell is not exactly well-loved inside the building in El Segundo, at least not to the degree of an Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura, or other supporting players about whom the Lakers seem to express more enthusiasm. But they can't afford to just dump the guy in whatever trade they can find, because Russell was probably their third best player last season, and the team can't afford to get worse just to avoid a personality conflict. 

But Russell is hard to trade, because good teams that could use his talent don't want him (bad rep, shaky vibes, problematic defense) and bad teams don't need him (doesn't fit a rebuilding timeline, not someone people are clamoring to use as a mentor). So that means both parties are, for now, stuck with each other, right? 

Is that something that can get rectified before training camp? By the trade deadline? What do the Lakers do in the interim? 

Those questions and more are big on today's show, with guest Anthony Irwin, who has some thoughts about Russell and what the Lakers ought to do with him. From there, it's a discussion about the lack of movement this offseason, and where improvement might come, internally. Is it just Max Christie? Can Reaves improve? Rui? Is it possible to get minutes from Jalen Hood-Schifino? Can Dalton Knecht be better than Taurean Prince? How many wins is JJ Redick worth? 

If the Lakers are going to build on their 47-win season last year, they'll need good health, first and foremost, but then a path to internal improvement. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Anthony Irwin

 

SEGMENT 1: What to do with D'Angelo Russell? 

SEGMENT 2: Could Russell come off the bench? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Where can the Lakers gain meaningful improvement, internally? 

 

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The US won a gold in Paris on Saturday, in an entertaining game featuring a Steph Curry heater for the ages as the Americans beat France. But it was LeBron James who walked away with the tournament MVP award, based on a run of consistency and high performance that outdid Curry, who really only played well for the semi-final vs. Serbia and then again vs. France. 

Not for nothing, because those games were important, but James was a deserving recipient for sure. 

And while it's reasonable to discuss where this achievement fits in a long list of incredible accomplishments, one thing is clear -- winning this gold was a very meaningful thing for him. As it was for Anthony Davis, who played big minutes on Saturday, including down the stretch, and was a monster on both ends, coming up with four blocks overall, grabbing critical rebounds and generally shoving the French around. 

AD says he plans to play in LA in 2028. LeBron says he doesn't see it happening. 

But is it that far fetched? Let's say James is still active, or is just wrapping up his career in the summer of '28. Is it that crazy to think there could be a spot for him? Especially since this format suits him so well? Long rest before the games, light load during the tournament, last hurrah and all that? 

It's fun to think about at least, because it gets to larger questions about just how long his career is going to last. Because right now, at least, it seems like his own willingness to play will be the deciding factor, not health or decline. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Team USA wins gold, LeBron is MVP.

SEGMENT 2: Where does this fit into LeBron's career legacy? 

SEGMENT 3: Who plays in '28? AD says yes, is it crazy to think LeBron might, too? 

 

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One good way to learn about your team is to compare it to others, especially a franchise that shares many common points. For the Lakers, that team (in a lot of ways at least) is the Phoenix Suns. 

Phoenix, like the Lakers, is basically all-in on their roster, one dominated by top end stars and lacking in reliable depth. Both teams are up against the cap (though Phoenix, as a second apron team, has issues the Lakers don't). Both teams are using a model for success that feels like the rest of the league doesn't use anymore. Both teams lack a cupboard full of resources to make significant improvements. And both teams are simultaneously too good to tear it down and not quite good enough to be title favorites. 

Most pundits put the Suns above the Lakers in terms of preseason odds/projections, but the gap isn't huge. 

So the similarities aren't perfectly aligned. It's not totally apples to apples. But it's definitely not apples to chicken wings, either. 

How does ownership compare? Philosophy? Coaching? 

Where do these teams stack up in a crowded Western Conference? 

 

HOSTS: Brian Kamenetzky with Brendon Kleen

 

SEGMENT 1: How the Suns and Lakers are similar...

 

SEGMENT 2: Which team is better equipped to win a title? 

 

SEGMENT 3: How the teams stack up in the West. 

 

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It wasn't easy, but Team USA got it done on Thursday, thanks to a huge fourth quarter comeback that eliminated Serbia and sent the Americans to the Gold Medal game vs. France. Final score, 95-91. 

Not terribly surprising, but in the middle of it all was LeBron James. 

Yep, the oldest guy on the team was arguably its best player throughout (at least the best player not named Steph Curry). 16 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists and a steal in a summer-high 30 minutes on the floor. And the US needed every bit of it in order to advance. It's easy to repeat the platitudes for James... and there's a reason for that. It's simply incredible for someone who has been doing it this long to maintain this level of play. The same, or nearly the same at least, can be said for Steph and Kevin Durant, who was also excellent on Thursday. 

Really, it was a good day for the old guard. 

Now the US moves on to play the French, who eliminated Germany in a thriller earlier in the day. Once again, Rudy Gobert barely played, which sets up an interesting conversation not only about US vs. France, but Gobert vs. the NBA. 

Meanwhile, there are updates on two players who barely had a chance to suit up last year for LA -- Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino. Any chance the latter contributes after a disastrous rookie year? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

SEGMENT 1: LeBron leads Team USA.

SEGMENT 2: US vs. France for the gold. 

SEGMENT 3: Updates on Vincent and JHS. 

 

For your next listen, check out the Locked On NBA podcast, where the season never ends providing national expertise with a local perspective.  Click HERE to listen now.  Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay Motors
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The betting markets aren't necessarily a perfect way to measure or forecast an NBA season. After all, they're created with gamblers in mind, encouraging them to put their money in spots where maybe it shouldn't go. Remember, that includes casual fans, not just hard core NBA enthusiasts. 

But given how awards work, they're also a pretty decent shorthand for how people view the league broadly. It's hard to win MVP, for example, on a 35-win team. 

What about a 43 win team? 44? 45? Because 43.5 is where the Lakers are currently projected in the over/under at FanDuel. 

So where players land on these preseason odds lists are a fun snapshot of sentiment at a particular point in time. And to that end, the folks at FanDuel have some interesting numbers related to the Lakers. 

What are the odds of LeBron or Anthony Davis winning MVP? 

Of Dalton Knecht winning Rookie of the Year, or JJ Redick Coach of the Year? (LA's rookie coach is on the board, if nothing else!)

Is there a convenient destination for any petty cash a Lakers fan might want to put on a home team winner of Sixth Man? What about Most Improved?

The answers to all of these questions say a lot about the Lakers, and their competition. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: Looking at the big board in early August. What does it say about the Lakers? 

SEGMENT 2: What has to happen for A.D. to win some hardware? 

SEGMENT 3: Why it's problematic that the Lakers are absent from some categories. 

 

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As Lakers fans watch Anthony Davis and LeBron James help push Team USA deeper into the Olympic hoops tourney, there's a lot of chatter among online purple and gold fans about how Davis is performing, and the way he's playing. Paired often with another great defensive center in Bam Adebayo, Davis looks at times much more like the old PF he was when he arrived in Los Angeles. 

There's talk that he's slimmed down from the bulkier version we've seen. (It can be hard to tell, honestly.) 

But what does AD's body type mean? Is he looking for more minutes at power forward vs. center? He's certainly very effective there when paired with the right frontcourt mate. Are there alternate reasons he might look to change his body shape? Take some weight off? Change his functional strength? 

Well, there's how he matches up against the bigger, bulkier centers in the West, first of all. Is he better off trying to get stronger? or lean into his quickness advantage? And as he gets older and the mileage piles up, extra weight is the enemy of good health. There are all sorts of positionally agnostic reasons for Davis to slim down. 

Either way, it's enormously complicated for the Lakers to give Davis extended minutes at PF. In part because they don't have a backcourt mate that looks anything like Bam Adebayo (or even Myles Turner, who is a Laker on Earth 2, 3, or 4), but because AD at the 4 means LeBron James at the 3. And at age 40, that's a tall order. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Anthony Davis... slimmer? 

SEGMENT 2: Why are we having the AD-at-PF conversation again? 

SEGMENT 3: Why it just doesn't work... 

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FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY! That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM and add a big win to your summer bucket list!

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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Last week, Mike Richman from Locked On Blazers helped explain why trading for Portland forward Jerami Grant, while at least a somewhat defensible idea on paper, was much less positive for the Lakers in practice. 

Well, it seems like that's the consensus among NBA execs, as well. Reporting from Sean Deveaney, writing for Heavy.com, confirms the consensus from the scouting report episode: That giving up real value for Grant doesn't make sense. Moreover, doing it at the expense of Rui Hachimura (who would almost have to be included to make the money work) may not even make them noticeably better, especially when you factor in other rotation players who would have to go. Grant doesn't improve the team's weaknesses enough to justify the move, and his strengths don't help the team enough to make the cost worth it. 

Meanwhile, listeners/viewers chime in with other potential deals, including one for Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, but when you start having to add more players things get real complex real fast. Let's say the Lakers did manage to create a deal where they used both first rounders to get multiple players back (Grant, Simons and Cameron Johnson from the Nets)... given all the $ they'd have to send out, would they actually get worse? 

You only get to trade assets once. The Lakers have to ask whether any player currently out there is worth making the move now. How much do they really lose in waiting? 

Things could shift a little after Lauri Markkanen's future gets more clear, which should happen today. At the least, we know if Markkanen isn't moved by the Jazz on Tuesday, he either won't have a chance to sign an extension with a new team until after the season. If he signs with Utah on Wednesday, that makes him ineligible to be traded until after the February deadline. 

Clarity on Markkanen, in either direction, could shake a few things loose around the league. 

Finally, JJ Redick has a full coaching staff. It's filled with experience, which is good, but is it a dynamic, forward thinking crew? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Execs weigh in on a potential Grant deal. 

SEGMENT 2: JJ Redick has a coaching staff. 

SEGMENT 3: How Markkanen is the key to any additional offseason movement. 

 

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

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FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up ALL CUSTOMERS with a boost or a bonus, DAILY! That’s right, there’s something for everyone, every day, all summer long! Visit FANDUEL.COM and add a big win to your summer bucket list!

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 Lakers on Friday unveiled a new statue outside Crypto.com Arena, honoring Kobe and Gianna Bryant. It is, as you might suspect, very different from the other statues and honoraries in the plaza outside the arena. 

But it's not just the presentation — capturing that iconic photo of the two courtside following Kobe's retirement — but also because unlike the other statues, which honor athletic achievement, this one, after memorializing the loss and their relationship, honors an idea. Specifically, the value and ascendance of women's sports, and how Gigi's ambitions to play in the WNBA are echoed in the dreams of countless girls. And even more who play other sports with dreams only differentiated by the desired end point. 

Say what you want about the way the Lakers have handled the on court product, but they continue to do excellent work with this sort of thing. 

Meanwhile, Kobe's locker was auctioned off over the weekend, for (a hair under) $3 million. Apparently a small handful of folks drove the bidding up from under a mil to the final price. it's a lot to give up for a locker, but the conversation brings up some fun memories. 

Finally, Rui Hachimura couldn't finish Japan's (short) Olympic run, leaving with a calf injury before the team was officially eliminated. In theory, he should be fine, but it's a reminder of what makes this whole process of watching Anthony Davis and LeBron James finish out the tournament so nerve-wracking. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers honor Kobe and Gigi. 

 

SEGMENT 2: What is this statue really about? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Kobe's locker, and Rui's calf.

 

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Among the more confounding of Darvin Ham's habits in the mind of many Lakers fans was his unwillingness to give steady minutes to Max Christie, even if the team seemed to need some of his skill set at different points throughout the season. 

Well, having signed an four-year, $32 million contract this offseason, Christie is going to play. 

Now it's a matter of whether new coach JJ Redick is more willing to deploy Christie without reservation. And more than just giving him a consistent role and not penalizing him for whatever it was Ham saw last year (Darvin never really got into depth about it), will Redick be able to optimize Christie? Getting the most he can from him as a player while mitigating his weaknesses?

If so, in many ways Christie would then become like a free agent acquisition. Someone essentially not available to them last year, who makes a big contribution without giving up existing talent. Obviously Christie isn't a summer signing—nobody on this roster is, as of now—but that would be the effect. It's something, for that matter, the Lakers are hoping for with Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, as well. Two guys that were, for all intents and purposes, unavailable to the team last year. 

So between internal improvement and the arrival of Redick, where does this team stand (assuming a little bit of injury luck)? Does all of this point to a scenario where the Lakers really are better off being patient now rather than pushing for a summer trade under very suboptimal circumstances?

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Christie gets a new deal. Will he get new opportunities? 

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers are hoping Christie is just one of a few returning players who give the team MUCH more this season.

SEGMENT 3: Is Christie part of the reason the Lakers are smart to wait to make a deal? 

 

 

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