Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers
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Are the Lakers Wasting the Preseason? Plus, LeBron Teases "Decision of All Decisions"
7 oktober 2025 · 35 min
The Lakers have lost their first two preseason games. More significant than the scores, though, are the names in the box score. Luka Dončić and LeBron James both sat out the weekend's games, as did Marcus Smart. Maxi Kleber has also been in street clothes, and Austin Reaves missed the second game after playing well in the preseason opener. Lees meer
No question, there are reasonable explanations for all of it. Luka played deep into Eurobasket (and has been on the practice floor through the first week). LeBron has been nursing a sore glute and noted heading into camp that he and his camp think LeBron went a little too hard in the preseason last year. Smart has an Achilles problem, so caution is warranted. And so on.
But at the same time, if the Lakers are going to eat up the gap between them and the teams in front of them (or at least perceived to be in front of them) out West, they need to maximize their upside. That starts with getting as many reps as possible in training camp. That's not happening.
So is it by choice? Are the Lakers re-starting what had become a trend of kinda blowing off training camp? What could that mean going forward?
Meanwhile, LeBron got everyone's attention Monday when he teased "#TheSecondDecision." A "decision of all decisions."
Is he teasing a retirement announcement? Is he shilling for Amazon (Tuesday is Prime Day)? We'll all find out at 9 am PT.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers missing out on preseason opportunities?
SEGMENT 2: Strategy or necessity?
SEGMENT 3: What's LeBron teasing?
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Lakers Fall to 0-2 In Preseason, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent Play Well, Look Healthy
6 oktober 2025 · 36 min
Overall, JJ Redick was happier with the effort in Sunday's 111-103 loss to the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco than he was with the preseason opening loss to Phoenix on Friday. Lees meer
And again, the Lakers were missing frontline players - this time, Luka Dončić and LeBron James sat again, and were joined by Friday's star Austin Reaves. Still no Marcus Smart or Adou Thiero. So not only were they short on talent compared to the Warriors, who played starters (at least in the first half), they were playing some combinations that likely won't be seen in the regular season, with people playing roles they won't likely play.
On the positive side (at least if you exclude an abysmal third quarter), the Lakers got very good performances from Jarred Vanderbilt, who continues to move like the version of the guy they acquired a couple years ago. He was disruptive defensively, active on the boards, and -- by his standards especially -- was pretty effective finishing on offense, including drawing and and-one, and what appeared to be some sort of Eurostep. Vincent hit 3-7 from beyond the arc, and all five of his free throws. Deandre Ayton didn't get off to a great start, but played much better as the first half went along, getting more aggressive in the pick and roll, getting on the glass and pretty consistently changing shots in the paint, defensively.
So there are things to be encouraged by.
The Lakers get a week of practices before their next game (Sunday at home against the Warriors). Redick is hoping to get a couple of dress rehearsals before the end of the preseason, so everyone will be monitoring whether LeBron gets on the floor this week, and puts himself in position to play in Sunday's game.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Lakers lose Sunday in San Francisco.
SEGMENT 2: Vando and Vincent look good!
SEGMENT 3: Can the Lakers get their dress rehearsals?
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BONUS EPISODE: Sloppy, Poor Shooting Lakers Lose Preseason Opener, 103-81
4 oktober 2025 · 17 min
The Lakers opened the preseason without a lot of rotation players in uniform (no Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent), and it certainly looked liked they missed them. Lees meer
While there were some good individual performances, as a group the Lakes were sloppy and couldn't make a bucket to save their lives (31 percent overall, 17 percent from downtown), losing to Phoenix 103-81. Austin Reaves played will in his minutes, with 20 points, three rebounds and two dimes. Rui Hachimura was active defensively and was second among starters with 11 points, but he was also 3-12 from the floor. Deandre Ayton? Eight rebounds and two blocks in 18 minutes... but also only one point and two shots, overall. Jarred Vanderbilt definitely looked mobile and active, which is great, but also didn't have a field goal in four tries. Dalton Knecht? 2-10. Bronny James? 1-12!
Jake LaRavia played a nice game, as did the bulked up Jaxson Hayes.
But overall, this was a disjointed team effort. Nothing to sweat so early in the preseason, with so many important players out of the lineup, but surely JJ Redick will want something a little better on Sunday.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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JJ Redick Emphasizing "Championship" Fitness, Plus Preseason Game 1 Preview
3 oktober 2025 · 32 min
It's been a mantra for JJ Redick since the Lakers lost Game 5 against the Timberwolves in the first round of last year's playoffs—everyone needs to come back with championship level fitness. Lees meer
At the time, while people certainly applied it to the team at large, it was also seen as a message for Luka Dončić. To whatever extent it was, it's pretty clear Luka took the message to heart, given what he did with his body this offseason. But the Summer of Luka hasn't done anything to change Redick's emphasis on fitness as the Lakers have entered training camp. Wednesday's practice ended with a bleep-ton of sprinting.
But the fitness kick isn't cosmetic. The Lakers have lost a lot of games, particularly playoff games, late in fourth quarters over the last couple of years. That's physical fatigue, potentially, but it's also mental. Defensive communication gets less robust, decision-making and execution suffer offensively. The Lakers aren't going to build more depth than the Thunder, or likely the Nuggets. They are an upper tier team in the West, but need to find any edge they can. Any way possible to boost their ceiling. That can be fitness, and the ability to execute through fatigue.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are kicking off the preseason slate of games tonight out in the desert against the Suns.
LeBron James and Marcus Smart won't play, but there will still be plenty to watch. How fast do the Lakers get into their offense? How well do guys chasing rotation roles (say... Dalton Knecht) play? What about the Lakers debut of Jake LaRavia?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: JJ keeps emphasizing fitness.
SEGMENT 2: Why fitness is such a critical point.
SEGMENT 3: What to watch for in tonight's preseason opener vs. Phoenix.
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Rotation Questions: Where Do Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht Fit In?
2 oktober 2025 · 35 min
The Lakers open the preseason on Friday, and while there are plenty of issues to work out, and plenty of time to do it, it's not too early to get a feel for what the rotation could look like. Lees meer
Luka Dončić and LeBron James (who won't play Friday, but was doing individual drills on Wednesday) give the Lakers a ton of flexibility, based on having guard skills in forward bodies. Austin Reaves provides obvious guard skills as well. So that means JJ Redick can deploy his other assets creatively. Asked about the guard rotation Wednesday, there were two notable things -- first, he included Jake LaRavia in that group. LaRavia has played some shooting guard, but generally is seen as a forward. And then he didn't mention Dalton Knecht.
That indicates Knecht has some work to do before he can crack the regular rotation, and it probably means the Lakers have real plans for LaRavia, even if it's smart not to get too hung up on positional designations.
It also leaves a lot of room for frontcourt guys to have rotation minutes, especially Jarred Vanderbilt. Vando has been in and out of the lineup for the last couple of seasons, and has had very little opportunity to develop consistency in his play. Given the amount of energy and physicality he plays with, Vanderbilt really needs good health to perform. Right now, he has it. Vando talked about it on Media Day, Redick noted it Wednesday after practice.
So what does a healthy Vanderbilt mean for the Lakers?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Injury updates: LeBron does individual drills, Vincent is back, Kleber is hurt.
SEGMENT 2: Where do LaRavia and Knecht fit into the guard rotation?
SEGMENT 3: Vanderbilt!
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LeBron James Nursing Injury, Lakers Season Opener in Jeopardy
1 oktober 2025 · 33 min
After a really fun first day of school (Media Day) the Lakers got down to work on Tuesday, and some of the shine came off the apple fairly quickly. Lees meer
Why? Health.
First, LeBron James sat out with what JJ Redick described as "a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute." It's something the Lakers are obviously going to be careful with, and that could keep James on the sidelines for the full slate of preseason games as the Lakers work him through a "little bit longer" ramp up to the regular season opener on October 21st. The Lakers were likely to treat James carefully anyway through training camp, given his always high level of fitness and the fact he's entering his 23rd season. There is no indication yet he's in danger of missing the start of the regular season.
Nevertheless, Lakers fans are going to be nervous about this, and it's totally reasonable.
The vibes with Marcus Smart aren't too much better. He isn't practicing yet because of tendinopathy in his left Achilles, an ailment that if nothing else sounds kinda scary. Gabe Vincent is nursing knee soreness, and likely won't be cleared until next week.
So are the Lakers in the danger zone yet? Hardly. But it's always better to start with everyone on the floor, and they can't do that.
One guy who is playing? Deandre Ayton, who was frank and highly self-aware in his time talking to the media Monday.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: LeBron dinged up to start camp.
SEGMENT 2: Smart sore, as well.
SEGMENT 3: Deandre Ayton knows the stakes.
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Luka Is Ready to Lead, LeBron Is Excited and Ayton Sees the Opportunity
30 september 2025 · 35 min
Monday was the official start of the 2025-26 Lakers season, as Media Day hit El Segundo. Lees meer
It was a low key, mellow affair, with no drama to speak of, and little news to be made. This is a good thing, of course. Luka Dončić came to camp with a new contract in hand, and had very little to say that hadn't been said already. LeBron James put to bed any sense of dissatisfaction, showing serious enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming season, even while avoiding (no surprise) any firm commitments about what his future holds.
Rui Hachimura? No grumbling about starting vs. coming off the bench. Same with Marcus Smart. Deandre Ayton made it clear he fully understands and appreciates the stakes of this season. Will he follow through? We'll see, but early returns are positive. Austin Reaves? Ready to go. Bronny? Happy with his growth, and looking forward to more. Jaxson Hayes put on 20 pounds of muscle, which probably can't hurt.
And so on and so forth.
If you watched it on TV, you probably learned that JJ Redick has a performance coach.
All in all, it was the sort of first day at school the team would have wanted. Something less interesting for us media types is ideal for the organization itself.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka's ready, LeBron is excited.
SEGMENT 2: Ayton understands what's at stake.
SEGMENT 3: Opportunities abound.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
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Lakers Media Day Preview! Plus, Will Rui Hachimura Get a Contract Extension?
29 september 2025 · 34 min
It's finally here, people! The 2025-26 season for the LA Lakers kicks off today with Media Day. In less than a week, the Lakers will be playing preseason games. Lees meer
And while they don't open as favorites in the West, the Lakers definitely do open with the expectation of being very good, and should be a fun team to watch. It is, in the eyes of many, the true beginning of the Luka Dončić era in Los Angeles. It's his first Media Day in a Lakers uniform, his first time taking the photos and taping all the goofy stuff they play on the Jumbotron.
There are critical questions about JJ Redick, entering his second season. What has he learned? How can he improve, especially given the contract extension granted him by the Lakers in the offseason.
What about LeBron James? Will he put at least some of the speculation to bed, insofar as it pertains to his relationship with the Lakers and his excitement for the season?
And, of course, there will be questions for Rui Hachimura about his future in Los Angeles. Right now, he's on an expiring deal. Asked about it last week, Rob Pelinka implied that the Lakers and Hachimura might be working on an extension. But then again, they might not. And signing him creates some complications. But one thing is definitely true: The Lakers like Rui, and love how he's developed as a Laker. Whether that translates to a long term future here, or a resolution to his future that comes before next offseason, remains to be seen.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Training camp opens today!
SEGMENT 2: Big questions for the Lakers, including JJ and LeBron.
SEGMENT 3: What about Rui?
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NBA SQUAD: Rockets Fred VanVleet Injury Nightmare, Media Day Wishes, Can the Thunder Level Up Again
26 september 2025 · 40 min
It's time for another episode of the NBA Squad! Today we are breaking down the Houston Rockets' nightmare Fred VanVleet injury, what we want to see from NBA Media Days, whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder can take another step up and more! Lees meer
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Lakers Give JJ Redick a Contract Extension, Want LeBron to Finish His Career as a Laker
26 september 2025 · 35 min
The Lakers braintrust met the media on Thursday ahead of next week's kickoff of training camp. As is his custom, Rob Pelinka opened with a sort of state of the union. Talked about the positive summer, the excitement of new acquisitions, and of course the amazing Summer of Luka. Lees meer
And then he dropped the big piece of news, almost as a throwaway line at the end: Earlier in the offseason, the Lakers gave head coach JJ Redick a contract extension. That's after one year of his coaching career (let alone his Lakers career) and with three years remaining in the contract that he signed last year. It's a remarkable leap of faith in a guy with a short track record, who was not in line for this kind of consideration at this point. Nobody was talking about whether Redick would get an extension yet. Frank Vogel got a fake extension (only one year) after winning an NBA championship.
So yeah, it's an indication the Lakers are very, very confident in Redick.
It also means the Lakers have real continuity going forward. With their star (Luka Dončić) their GM (Rob Pelinka, who also got an extension recently) and now their coach. That level of predictability is critical for building a program, including attracting not only star players, but also role playing free agents that have a huge impact on a roster.
Meanwhile, Pelinka made it clear the Lakers would like for LeBron James to finish his career in purple and gold. No question, Pelinka gave James plenty of space and deference to make his own choice when the time comes, but was pretty clear in framing the desire to bring him back, should James decide to keep playing next year.
We explain why the Lakers are in great position to make whatever choices need to be made.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers give JJ Redick an extension.
SEGMENT 2: Good idea?
SEGMENT 3: Lakers want LeBron to stay, finish career in purple and gold.
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Lakers Season Preview: What Lies Ahead for Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and more?
25 september 2025 · 36 min
With Brian out of town traveling, Aaron Larsuel, the former host of the Official Lakers Podcast, who's also worked for several NBA franchises (including the Lakers), drops by to offer thoughts on the upcoming season for the purple and gold. Together, they run through a bunch of overarching questions about this upcoming season, including... Lees meer
- The starting lineup options
- Deandre Ayton's fit, on the court and culturally
- The "Summer of Luka," and what it could mean for this season
- How JJ Redick could best mesh Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves
- The significance of the Lakers' sale, for the Buss Family and for Mark Walter
And more!!!
Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Starting lineup and Deandre Ayton talk
SEGMENT 2: The Summer and Season of Luka!
SEGMENT 3: What to look for in the post-Buss Family era?Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
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Should the Lakers Start Rui Hachimura or Marcus Smart with Luka, LeBron, Reaves and Ayton?
24 september 2025 · 33 min
The Lakers have three starters everyone, from the org to fans to media all agree on. That would be Luka Dončić, Lebron James and Deandre Ayton. Lees meer
Austin Reaves is going to start, even though there's an active faction of Lakers fans who prefer he come off the bench. Sorry folks, that ain't happening.
So that leaves a fifth spot, and presumably JJ Redick will be choosing between incumbent starter Rui Hachimura, and free agent acquisition Marcus Smart. There are a bunch of ways to look at how this should go, and reasons to lobby for both guys. With Hachimura, he's tended to play better as a starter, and provides better floor spacing. Smart, of course, brings far better defensive integrity, and is a better secondary ball mover. Rui would have more opportunities to use his best skill set (scoring) off the bench, where there are more shots available and the Lakers need some oomph. Smart is best served in a role where supplementary offense is the goal, as opposed to one where he needs to post points.
The Lakers could also go in a different direction, and stick Jarred Vanderbilt in that slot. Vando, in theory, gives you a more versatile defensive energy and athleticism than Smart, but with less offense. But what if Vanderbilt, healthy for the first time in a while, gets back to merely average on offense? Would that higher end D then become a better fit?
It gets to a truth about Vanderbilt for this year - he's one of the true wild cards for the Lakers. It's been a minute since we saw the best version of Vando, and so when people talk about him it's often really about the concept of Vanderbilt more than the player. But if he's near the top end of what people think he can provide, Vanderbilt really does change what the Lakers look like, at least during the regular season.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Who is LA's fifth starter?
SEGMENT 2: The pitch for Rui, the pitch for Smart.
SEGMENT 3: What about Vanderbilt?
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Fred VanVleet's Injury Shakes Up Western Conference. Opportunity for the Lakers?
23 september 2025 · 35 min
The Lakers are unquestionably a very good team, but aren't generally considered a top contender in the Western Conference. Lees meer
There's a path to get there, but it involves unfortunate things happening to the teams that (on paper at least) are a notch above them in the preseason pecking order. Well, Monday one of those things seems to have happened. Houston point guard Fred VanVleet suffered a major knee injury—a torn ACL—that will require surgery and likely keep him out for the year.
The Rockets have a pretty stacked roster overall, but VanVleet is a critical part of their offense, and a major voice in the locker room. Moreover, they don't really have any depth at the position, and because they're right up against the apron and have a bunch of players who can't be traded until December 15th, aren't likely going to be able to do anything to fill the void. Or even try. Not right away, at least.
So the question becomes how far this knocks down the Rockets in the brutally competitive West. It's a big enough loss that you could project the Lakers to leapfrog them, for sure.
Nobody wants this sort of thing to happen, but broadly "bleep happens" is going to be a reality of any rise for the Lakers. Most teams in the conference will need to benefit from a little luck, even the top ones.
One thing that will help the Lakers vault to the top? MVP level play from Luka Dončić. And to that end, coaches, execs and scouts around the NBA are bullish, as expressed in the annual ESPN preseason survey. They also weighed in on a predicted location for LeBron James next year. Do they think he'll still be in LA?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: VanVleet hurt.
SEGMENT 2: What it means in the West.
SEGMENT 3: Bullish on Luka.
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Rob Pelinka Says Luka Gives Lakers "Optionality", Plus, Horry says to (Eventually) Trade Reaves
22 september 2025 · 35 min
Rob Pelinka spoke with ESPN's Dave McMenamin last week, and needless to say had a tremendous amount of good stuff to say about new star Luka Dončić. Everything about this summer, McMenamin writes, has led Pelinka to believe the Lakers can do big things with Luka perhaps a little faster from a roster building standpoint than perhaps they originally thought. Lees meer
One big reason is Luka's offseason transformation, which either reinforces or reestablishes his status as one of the elite handful of best players on the planet. One of the best, if not perhaps the best, by the end of the season.
But another is that Dončić has such a varied skill set that he gives the Lakers tremendous optionality. There really isn't anything he can't do, which means there aren't many players he can't play with effectively. That's a great luxury for a GM, because it broadens the portfolio of players that can be had in an effort to build a championship caliber roster. (Plus, when you have one of the two or three best players in the league, it covers a lot of sins.)
But with that in mind, the Lakers will have decisions to make about how to build around Luka in the future. And to that end, Robert Horry, talking on his own podcast, expressed a thought we've kicked around here a lot - that Austin Reaves has too many similar qualities to Luka, and rather than commit to him long term, the Lakers might want to consider a trade.
Is he right?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Pelinka talks "optionality."
SEGMENT 2: What the Summer of Luka has meant for LA.
SEGMENT 3: Better to trade Reaves this offseason?
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Bonus Pod! Will LAKERS FINISH AHEAD OF CLIPPERS, WARRIORS? Pacific Division Preview!
20 september 2025 · 33 min
It's a Pacific Division preview with (most of) the Locked On hosts from around the west coast... and Arizona! Which of these five teams is best positioned to rack up the most wins? The Lakers, with the most top-end players of the bunch? The Clippers, with the most pure depth? The Warriors, with a roster that was one Steph Curry injury away from, at minimum, making the 2025 Western Conference Finals? The Suns, with the--- just kidding! The Suns have no chance at finishing on top. Ditto the Kings. But they're still interesting in a "train wreck" kinda way. Lees meer
Sit back as the Locked On hosts chop it up and talk all things Pacific Division.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, Guests Darian Vaziri (Locked On Clippers), Ben Garcia (Locked On Suns), Chuck Walter (Locked On Warriors)
SEGMENT 1: State of the Pacific
SEGMENT 2: A Deandre Ayton debate!
SEGMENT 3: More on the division
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Is LeBron James Dropping Clues About Retirement? Plus, Do the Lakers Have a Title Path?
19 september 2025 · 34 min
Fair to say people are fully invested in the LeBron James retirement tea leaves. Lees meer
So when he speaks about the subject, as he did this week on the 360 With Speedy show, it's going to get a lot of attention. And here, LeBron didn't reveal a ton, only (again) that he's (obviously) far closer to the end than the beginning. But to some ears, at least, you could hear hints that he's planning to stick around beyond this season, and overall there are certainly indications he's inclined to do so assuming he maintains his strong level of play and doesn't run into major physical issues.
What might get him to hang it up after this year? A title might be a good place to start.
And with that in mind, we open up the mailbag to take viewer/listener questions. The first one starts with that question of a title. Do the Lakers have a path? And if they do, is it one that is relatively easily navigated, or will they need to hack through jungle with a machete to get to the promised land? Plus, bold predictions!!!
Then another piece of mail, asking about JJ Redick and Darvin Ham. Will JJ get the same level of scrutiny as Ham did in his second season? Was Darvin treated unfairly, looking back? What will Redick have to do in order to maintain the perception of continued growth?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: LeBron retirement hints?
SEGMENT 2: Do the Lakers have a real path to a title?
SEGMENT 3: JJ vs. Darvin.
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How Luka Dončić Changes the Future for the Lakers (Mark Walter Helps, Too)
18 september 2025 · 34 min
ESPN's annual Future Rankings had been a sad place for Lakers fans over the last few years, even when things were going well for the team. Lees meer
The Lakers may have had potential in the present, but down the road, things were a lot trickier. Building around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for a variety of reasons, came with ... complexities.
Now, however, things are looking bright. Why? Because a team that has Luka Dončić not only gets a top 5 (at worst) talent, they get him ENTERING HIS PRIME. This is critical not just because it means the Lakers have one of those dudes on the team for a while (presumably), but because players looking to join the Lakers can do so knowing they have Luka around for a while, and he's going to be good.
So they can attract free agents, they can attract disgruntled stars. And the presence of Luka guarantees a certain level of competitiveness every year.
And now they also have big money to go with the appealing market as well. LA has always ranked well as a market in these rankings, but the Lakers lost points because the Buss family was the wrong kind of billionaire -- namely, their fortune was tied up in the franchise. Mark Walter doesn't have that problem, and over time it will allow the Lakers to match market with budget.
Oh, and the rankings even have us sticking up for Rob Pelinka. Or sticking down for the Clippers and Warriors, at least.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka saves the day.
SEGMENT 2: Why Walter's money matters.
SEGMENT 3: Judge the Lakers by the same standards, people!
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Luka Doncic now Truly Ready to be a Laker? Plus, his Relationship With LeBron.
17 september 2025 · 34 min
The Summer of Luka continues, this time with a profile in WSJ Magazine, the long form arm of The Wall Street Journal. Lees meer
It's both a player profile -- one confirming again that Luka does, in fact, look awesome, physically -- and a fashion spread. And as the writer Jason Gay notes, the two are related. Most guys aren't all that interested in the modeling (which in this case includes a shot in the cold tub) if they're not feeling good about their appearance.
The story was a nice introduction of Dončić to a demographic that might be less familiar with his work. And Rob Pelinka got to describe him as an "illusionist," a word he was likely back-pocketing for use in a well-respected publication like WSJ.
Luka, of course, has completely changed the franchise's fortunes, and perhaps nothing illustrates that quite the same way as ESPN's Future Rankings, where without doing much other than swapping Anthony Davis for Luka (and not spending into their cap space), they vaulted from 21st last season to 8th. And let's be honest, most of that is just Luka.
So how well set are the Lakers for the future, now that Dončić is under contract?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: More good press for Luka!
SEGMENT 2: Did Luka fix LA's future?
SEGMENT 3: How well set are the Lakers?
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Is Deandre Ayton Set Up To Have a Big Year for the Lakers?
16 september 2025 · 33 min
Context is everything in sports. Lees meer
The Lakers have imported Deandre Ayton to be the new starting center, and it's an opportunity for him to change the conversation. Viewed by many as anywhere from a disappointment to a major disappointment to a bust, Ayton arrives in Los Angeles with a totally different set of expectations. Nobody in LA will look at him as a failed top pick, taken ahead of Luka Dončić. None of that matters. With the Lakers, he needs to stay engaged defensively, rebound aggressively and be maybe the fourth or fifth best offensive player on any given night. Sometimes he can pop off for 25, but the Lakers shouldn't need it all that often.
And if Ayton stays healthy, he'll certainly be better than what they had at the end of last year, which was Jaxson Hayes.
But remember, context matters. Ayton may seem disappointing, but had his best season playing with a great point guard in Chris Paul. Now he has Luka, who has made a career out of boosting the stats of his centers. Meanwhile, if Ayton wants another big NBA payday, it behooves him to stay as dialed in as possible this year.
His skill set should match well with Luka. Ayton is good in the pick and roll, has a midrange game, and can get above the rim.
There's every reason to believe that Ayton will be a very positive contributor, even if sometimes he falls short of the championship level expectations everyone on the Lakers has to carry.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: New environment for Ayton.
SEGMENT 2: Why context is king.
SEGMENT 3: What does the O look like with him?
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Should the Lakers Trade Rui Hachimura for Andrew Wiggins?
15 september 2025 · 36 min
On Friday, we discussed reports that the Lakers might be more inclined to make moves eating into cap space they've made potentially available for next offseason, or the summer following (when a few high profile stars could become available). Is that really a plan they're kicking around? Would they spend some capital, and some flexibility, to get a guy like Andrew Wiggins from Miami? Lees meer
And no question, this is in large part a Wiggins issue, because a) he's seen as at least somewhat available, and b) as a two-way wing (particularly effective defensively) Wiggins fits a clear and obvious roster need for the Lakers.
Put Rui into a deal, and the math works pretty easily. Leave him out, and it's a lot more complex. But more than that, is Wiggins worth that kind of move? If it cost Hachimura, Dalton Knecht and perhaps a first rounder? Is he enough of a difference maker? What if you take out the pick? What if you take out Rui (though it gets harder, for sure), but include the other stuff?
What if you tried to approximate what Wiggins could deliver, but at a lower price?
What exactly does "all in" mean for the Lakers, anyway? Is it the same for them as it might be for another squad? Does the definition matter?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Does Wiggins make sense?
SEGMENT 2: What is "all in" for the Lakers, anyway?
SEGMENT 3: Would Wiggins fit better than Rui?
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Luka Dončić Has the Lakers In "Win Now" Mode? Plus... More Ballmer/Kawhi/Clippers Mess!
12 september 2025 · 33 min
Luka Dončić dominated Eurobasket, leading an undermanned Slovenia to the Round of 8. Lees meer
That performance, along with everything else we've seen in the Summer of Luka, might have been enough to get the Lakers to change their long-term plans. Or at least change the way they do PR around their long term plans. Dan Woike of The Athletic writes that the Lakers, who had been reportedly very, very protective of their cap flexibility going forward into next summer and even the summer of 2027, could be tempted by the right deal to acquire a player who would eat into that space.
It would be a defensive-minded wing. And right now, the only player who meets that criteria and is seen as available is Miami's Andrew Wiggins.
Would Wiggins, who has an option for about $30 mil next season he'll almost certainly exercise, give the Lakers enough of a push to make it worth giving up not just a first rounder and Dalton Knecht, but likely Rui Hachimura, too?
From there... woah Nellie, is Steve Ballmer in hot water. Pablo Torre followed up on his initial reporting about a potential cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard with another big story, this time linking payments to a Clippers sponsor and payments to Kawhi in ways that seem a lot more tangible (not that the initial volley of news wasn't pretty damning in and of itself).
How much evidence does the NBA need in order to feel comfortable dispensing justice? How much more is coming out?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Did Luka get the Lakers to change their plan?
SEGMENT 2: What about Wiggins?
SEGMENT 3: Ballmer is neck deep now...
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Luka Dončić Dominates Again, but Slovenia Is Eliminated... Plus, When Will LeBron Retire?
11 september 2025 · 34 min
He did all he could throughout the Eurobasket tournament, elevating a group of scrappy but under-talented Slovenians to the quarterfinals, but finally Luka Dončić could take them no further. 99-91, Germany prevails, despite a 39-point, 10 rebound, seven assist game from Luka. Lees meer
He went as the best player on the floor, as has been the case throughout. Dončić even made noise defensively, to the point of being nominated for the tourney's defensive player award.
It was as positive experience as could have been asked for, in what continues to be the most positive summer anyone could have drawn up. Luka built incredible momentum towards the regular season. He played extremely well. He didn't get hurt. And all of this will help the Lakers enter the season with just a little more confidence and swagger. Teams benefit from knowing every night they have a truly transcendent star on their team, a guy whose mere presence gives them an excellent chance at victory.
Luka is that guy. And they still have LeBron, too, who has a little cache in that area, as well.
Finally, this from Brian Windhorst on ESPN's Hoop Collective podcast:
"Now, as far as LeBron's future—I know there's a lot of speculation," Windhorst said. "Based on my conversations, I honestly think they don't know. As far as I know, he's honestly going year to year. Could this be his last year? Yes. Will it be his last year? I don't know. Does he know right now? Maybe. But my interpretation is that it has not been established. He will see where he's at at the end of the year."
Does that mean the Lakers are sort of flying blind? Is LeBron, in a way?
What about a retirement tour?
Does how the team is performing have an impact on all of this?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka again dominates, but Slovenia eliminated.
SEGMENT 2: What's next for Dončić?
SEGMENT 3: When will LeBron hang 'em up?
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What the Locked On Top 100 Reveals About the Lakers In the Western Conference
10 september 2025 · 31 min
The Lakers have three players in the Locked On rankings of the top 100 NBA players. Luka Dončić (4), LeBron James (12) and Austin Reaves (58). They're the only team with an ultra elite player in Luka, and a (basically) top 10 guy in LeBron. Add in Reaves, and it's not a bad core. Lees meer
But how does that compare to the rest of the conference? Do the Lakers have similar balance to the competition, even if their talent at the very top might be better? How much two way talent do they have, even with the additions of Marcus Smart and an improvement at center in Deandre Ayton? Compare that to OKC, who has a host of legitimate two way guys, the Nuggets, who feature a few names on the list, all of whom (save Jamal Murray) can play on both sides of the ball. Houston was a great defensive team last year, and even after moving Dillon Brooks should be once again this season.
So what kind of roster balance do the Lakers have? What's the relative advantage with fit vs. overall talent? How much of both do the Lakers have relative to the competition?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Three in the Top 100!
SEGMENT 2: What kind of balance do the Lakers have?
SEGMENT 3: How does what the Lakers have match up with the rest of the conference?
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Luka Dončić 4th, LeBron James 12th and Austin Reaves 58th in Locked On Top 100
9 september 2025 · 33 min
Player rankings can be an irritating exercise, because in most ways theres rarely much functional difference between the 13th and 14th best player in the league, and certainly not the 73rd and 74th. Lees meer
What can be meaningful, however, are player tiers. Guys can be grouped together in ways that make a little more sense in terms of impact. There are God-level stars, and regular stars. There are All-Stars and near-All-Stars. So as the season creeps towards us, the Locked On Network has put together its list of the best 100 players in the NBA. Three Lakers make the cut. (You can guess which ones...)
-Luka Dončić, 4th.
-LeBron James, 12th.
-Austin Reaves, 58th.
Luka is up in the super-elite group with Jokic, Shai and Giannis. LeBron is in that next tier down (for what it's worth, your hosts both had him in the top 10). And there's something special about that über-elite level guy that can cover a lot of sins. The Lakers are the only team to have someone at that level, plus another at LeBron's. Add in Austin Reaves at 58 and LA has a good amount of representation. But is it the right kind? Is it distributed as needed, from a skill set standpoint? Does it really matter, when the two guys headlining the thing are Luka and LeBron?
Meanwhile, the Lakers have added guys who wouldn't be that far outside the top 100 in Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, and have Rui Hachimura, who has developed into a very reliable frontcourt shooter. All Stars? No, but in Ayton and Smart the Lakers are making major upgrades over what they had last year. So put it all together, and can you say the Lakers might be a little underrated?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get three guys in the Locked On Top 100.
SEGMENT 2: What it means to have Luka and LeBron.
SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers underrated?
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Luka Dončić Pushes Slovenia Past Italy, Continues Fueling Hype Around the "Luka Era" for the Lakers
8 september 2025 · 35 min
Luka Dončić has gotten progressively better game to game throughout Eurobasket, helping Slovenia get on a hot streak. Sunday against Italy in the Round of 16, Luka put in his best effort of the competition, finishing with 42 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. He throttled the Italians, basically accounting for half of Slovenia's offense. He continued drawing fouls, getting to the line 16 times. Lees meer
All in all, his performance is ramping up as the tourney goes along, and he gets more comfortable and gets more minutes under his belt. Even as the competition gets more intense and the quality rises.
All of this contributes to add to the "Summer of Luka," and while Lakers fans obviously can't project with precision how Luka's performance for Slovenia will carry through into the regular season (not that they won't try), one thing that is unquestionably true: Everything that's happened this offseason is a) likely beyond the best case scenario envisioned by Lakers management for the summer, and b) increasing the already incredibly high level of anticipation about his presence on the team. In many ways, it reinforces the notion that the Luka Era really began at the end of last season, not necessarily when he was traded to the Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Basketball HOF had its induction ceremony over the weekend, and Dwight Howard was there as a first-ballot HOFer. Why does that seem to surprise and anger a certain element of the fan base?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka lights up Italy.
SEGMENT 2: How this impacts the dawn of the Luka Era in LA.
SEGMENT 3: Why is there resistance to Dwight Howard in getting in the HOF first ballot?
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NBA SQUAD: Breaking Down The Crazy Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer Scandal
5 september 2025 · 33 min
Pablo Torre broke a crazy potential scandal involving Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers, Steve Ballmer and some suspicious money. NBA Squad breaks down all that we know, what this could mean for the league and much more! Lees meer
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Luka Dončić DOMINATES Vs. Israel. New Details Reported About Kawhi, Clippers
5 september 2025 · 33 min
Luka Dončić is rounding into form at exactly the right time for Slovenia at Eurobasket. He put up 37 points and was a dime away from a triple-double as the Slovenias won 106-96. They'd already advanced to the Round of 16, but now do so on a two-game win streak, and with Luka looking outstanding. Lees meer
Lakers fans, of course, are primarily concerned about how Luka's play in the tournament might foreshadow something good once the NBA season starts, and to that end it's worth noting that Slovenia's last two games were Luka's strongest in terms of getting into the paint and to the rim. Over the last few years, it's something Luka has progressively done less of, and his detractors used it as an indication that he wasn't as explosive as he had been... and maybe the weight had a role.
So the idea Luka might put a stop to, or even reverse that trend is encouraging for Lakers fans.
Meanwhile, more bad news for the Clippers, as additional reporting (this time from the network's own John Karalis!) indicates that the endorsement deal received by Kawhi Leonard, reportedly given in an effort to circumvent the salary cap, may have been more lucrative than thought when the story was broken by Pablo Torre on Wednesday.
Ballmer went on ESPN Thursday to defend himself and the organization (done before we taped the show) but things are looking... not great for the LAC right now.
Finally, are the Lakers better off adding another superstar to go with Luka, or would it be better to build with one star and a bunch of really good, B/B+ type guys?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka crushes it vs. Israel.
SEGMENT 2: KawhiGate gets messier.
SEGMENT 3: How should the Lakers build around Luka?
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Clippers, Kawhi, Ballmer Under Investigation. How will It Affect the Lakers, NBA?
4 september 2025 · 35 min
Wednesday, news broke that Kawhi Leonard was the reported beneficiary of an endorsement deal that would, to say the least, run afoul of NBA regulations. The reporting from Pablo Torre Finds Out sent shockwaves through the league, and prompted strong denials from the Clippers. The NBA says they'll launch an investigation. So what happens now? And what happens if, in fact, Torre's reporting is verified by more sources? Lees meer
Plus... MAILBAG!
Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
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Do the Lakers Have a True Long Term Plan to Build Around Luka Dončić?
2 september 2025 · 34 min
How transformational has the Summer of Luka Dončić been? Not just for Luka himself, but for for the Lakers? And how they plan to approach the future? Lees meer
It's hard to argue that the Lakers haven't watched the best case scenario play out this offseason, insofar as Luka is concerned. New body, new contract (signed the first moment possible), recruiting efforts for the front office and a dominant performance in Eurobasket.
So are the Lakers planning to aggressively build around Luka now (or at least at the first opportunity) or is the plan to be patient no matter what? For next summer, or even the summer of 2027?
These are questions we discuss with Anthony Irwin, host of the Lakers Lounge, former host of this space, and Senior Lakers Insider at Clutchpoints. We cover a lot of key issues from the summer, diving deep into where we think the squad is heading from a personnel and team building standpoint, using someone like Rui Hachimura -- extension eligible -- as a great test case.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Summer of Luka!
SEGMENT 2: What kind of team are they trying to build?
SEGMENT 3: Is the plan to stay flexible? If so, why?Listener Survey
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Luka Dončić DOMINATES WITH EUROBASKET TRIPLE-DOUBLE... Plus, Will JJ Redick Keep going Small?
1 september 2025 · 33 min
Slovenia is 1-2 in Eurobasket play, but Luka Dončić is 3-3. Meaning he's had three games, and all of them have been outstanding. Lees meer
That trend continued over the weekend, as Slovenia lost against tourney favorite France and then registered its first win, coming against Belgium. Against the French, Luka nearly had a triple double, keeping the Slovenians in the game longer than many expected, then did get a trip dub (a rarity in Eurobasket). For Slovenia to advance, they'll need wins in their final two games of pool play, against Iceland and Israel.
While there are plenty of Luka/Slovenia fans who hope that happens, are those fans who are "Lakers first" really pining for Slovenia to get through? Especially given a couple of legit injury scares in the first few games of the tournament?
On the court, though, Dončić is thriving, particularly when it comes to getting into the paint and drawing fouls. He went to the line 20 times against the French, who sport four active NBA players and a few others with NBA experience.
Finally, we open up the mailbag to talk about JJ Redick and whether or not he's predisposed to go small at the expense not just of centers, but centers who are better than the guys he plays instead.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka continues to thrive in Eurobasket.
SEGMENT 2: Do Lakers fans want Slovenia to advance?
SEGMENT 3: Is JJ too dedicated to "going small?"Listener Survey
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Luka Dončić Dominates In Loss to Poland... Plus, Austin Reaves as 6th Man?
29 augustus 2025 · 35 min
Slovenia kicked off its Eurobasket competition against Poland—one of the host nations—Thursday. A tough draw for sure against a fired up local crowd. Many Lakers fans are undoubtedly pulling for Slovenia right now, because they're pulling for Luka Dončić... Lees meer
...but on the other hand, a lot of them are more pulling for Luka.
And man alive, did Luka come through. Dončić put up a gaudy numbers even as Slovenia lost. 34 points, including 17/18 from the free throw line, plus nine assists and five steals. The court vision was great, he was able to get into the heart of a Polish defense that was, to say the least, overplaying him. So at least when it comes to LA's star, it was so far, so good.
Meanwhile, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss gave an interview to Slovenian radio in which she recounted the unusual nature of Luka's arrival, and particularly the unusual nature of his emotional state. It explains a lot about why Dončić couldn't quite hit the level fans (and even he, likely) hoped for after the trade. Good, yes. But not top form.
Finally, it's a question that comes up a lot. Should Austin Reaves come off the bench?
There are a few reasons to give it a shot, unlikely as it is to actually happen... but would the Lakers perhaps have a little extra incentive to make Reaves a sixth man?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka dominates against Poland, but Slovenia loses.
SEGMENT 2: Jeanie on Luka's arrival.
SEGMENT 3: A.R. as 6th Man?
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The Lakers Make a Big Show of Support for Luka Dončić Before the Start of Eurobasket
28 augustus 2025 · 33 min
He's signed the contract. He's not going anywhere anytime soon. But the Lakers certainly aren't resting on their laurels. Lees meer
As Slovenia prepares to start Eurobasket play Thursday afternoon against Poland, the Lakers brass, starting with Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka, stopped by practice to show support. They took photos. Pelinka released a statement, making it very clear how much the organization supported Luka in this moment that is so important to him. And if it's important to Luka, it's important to the Lakers. That's how it works, now.
It wasn't something the Lakers needed to do, but it was smart to hop on a plane and cross an ocean to support their guy. It's a good look, it's smart business. It's the type of extra step the Lakers have historically taken for its stars, and now Luka is on the receiving end.
Meanwhile, we open the mailbag, starting with ... Luka questions!
Can Dončić play the type of defense that would allow him to be seen as teh league's best player? Even better than Nikola Jokic? (Or if not better, really close?) If he plays at an MVP level, and LeBron is, say, Top 8 or so again this year, how many games does it mean the team has won?
What about the pick-and-roll combination of Luka and Deandre Ayton? How potent might it become? And what kind of offense should Lakers fans expect from JJ Redick this season, more broadly?
Finally, is the Laker most likely to ask for a trade not the guy most media are thinking of?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers make a smart trip to Poland.
SEGMENT 2: Luka on D, Luka as MVP.
SEGMENT 3: Who asks for a trade?
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Luka Dončić an Early Season MVP Favorite? And Will LeBron James Ask Lakers for Trade?
27 augustus 2025 · 31 min
One good way to measure how confident the NBA pundit class is in the Lakers is to look at offseason predictions around things like awards. Lees meer
And by that standard, the Lakers are doing ok. Luka Dončić finished second behind Nikola Jokic (who is pretty good!) in a preseason MVP handicapping, as judged by a panel of ESPN experts. For that to happen, first and foremost Luka needs to put up big numbers, something similar to what he did in Dallas a couple seasons ago. And second, the Lakers have to be very, very competitive. If they're middling around the Western Conference, struggling to stay relevant in the playoff race, Luka isn't sniffing an MVP.
As for the first part of that, Skinny Luka looks like he's primed to perform. As for the second? As we've discussed on the show, the Lakers won 50 games last year. They're better than the version that finished the season, post trade. So assuming the right folks stay out of street clothes, they should be good enough this year to keep Luka in the conversation.
Meanwhile, the Lakers (not surprisingly) were a popular vote for "Team Turmoil." In related news, LeBron James was third among players in the "Next Superstar to Request a Trade..." category.
Obviously those things are related.
But here's the thing... the circumstances for the Lakers to be "Team Turmoil" are hard to fathom (for reasons we explain) and if things don't go to pot (which, save injury, feel unlikely for reasons we explain) LeBron James IS NOT GOING TO ASK OUT.
And, you guessed it, we explain why.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka is an early MVP fave.
SEGMENT 2: What has to happen for Luka to be in the race.
SEGMENT 3: Some people REALLY want LeBron to be LeDrama this year.
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Did NBA 2K26 Rate Luka, LeBron and the Lakers Correctly? Plus... a Kobe Movie?
26 augustus 2025 · 33 min
For gamers, at least, it's a big day -- when the NBA 2K rankings start leaking out. (Big day for content creators, too, since it comes in the dog days of August.) Lees meer
So were the Game Gods appropriately respectful to the Lakers?
Broadly, yes. Luka Dončić and LeBron James are among the league's top 10 (virtual) players. Austin Reaves was in the top 50. So basically these rankings pretty closely mirror those we just saw out of The Ringer, for example. So things seem to be properly aligned there. And meanwhile, the leaked rankings do seem to bolster the argument the Lakers have better depth this season, with guys like Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton cracking 80.
As for the team? The Lakers are placed as a "Tier 1" group, though near the back end of that bunch. Which, if we're all being fair, is about what it should be. They're seen to be potentially potent offensively, and shaky on the other end. Again, sounds about right.
So hard to argue with the preseason evaluation of the simulated Lakers, at least.
We'll see how things go for the real club.
Meanwhile, Warner Brothers is reportedly in development for a Kobe Bryant related movie... and they're doing it smartly. In part, by not making it just about Kobe, and then by avoiding having to stage too much basketball. We explain.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The 2K rankings are out!
SEGMENT 2: What's the right way to make a Kobe movie?
SEGMENT 3: Is Warner Bros. on the right track?
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The Speculation Around LeBron James Isn't Stopping Soon... Plus, Where are the New Player Rivalries?
25 augustus 2025 · 33 min
Apparently, the Golden State Warriors are not entirely out of the LeBron James business. Lees meer
Jake Fischer, who works for the outstanding Stein Line Substack, noted over the weekend how the interest in LeBron James from the Golden State Warriors—which was certainly has been a low hum in the NBA discourse for a long time, getting louder periodically—hasn't gone away. Golden State will apparently be kicking the tires on LBJ for a while longer.
It's a reminder that the speculation around LeBron, which is a constant anyway, is only going to get louder. Now it's not a forgone conclusion that James leaves LA after this season, for reasons explored in the episode. And it's highly unlikely, short of a catastrophic turn of events for the Lakers, that he's traded during the season (again, for reasons explained on the show). And even as a free agent, James might find that, depending on how his priorities truly shake out, the best spot for him is still the Lakers (for... wait for it... reasons explained in the episode).
That news may not excite a certain section of the fanbase, no question.
Meanwhile, it was a big Kobe Bryant weekend, with his birthday (8.23) followed by Kobe Day (8.24). Which got us thinking, in the spirit of the LeBron vs. Kobe rivalry the NBA could never quite make happen on the floor, but that certainly gained traction off it, where are the next great player rivalries?
Is the league not as well-constructed for that type of thing now?
Could the Lakers now be in a new "Rivalry Era" with Luka in the fold and the potential to generate more repeat playoff matchups with the same stars in competition with each other?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: LBJ rumors aren't going to stop.
SEGMENT 2: Where is LeBron going to be able to go?
SEGMENT 3: Rivalries!
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Sacramento Reportedly Wants to Dump Malik Monk. Should the Lakers Inquire?
22 augustus 2025 · 31 min
The Lakers are, barring something unexpected, considered to be set for training camp, in terms of the roster. Lees meer
But that said, is there the potential for anything unexpected?
Sacramento is trying desperately to unload Malik Monk (a former fave of Lakers fans, if only for a short time) so they can pick up Russell Westbrook. (That's an odd choice, we think, but a bigger question for Matt George at Locked On Kings.) Understanding that the mechanics of a Westbrook deal would be difficult to manage (remember, Sacto is trying to open up a spot, so a 1-1 trade likely doesn't work), would Monk be a welcome addition? More specifically, would Monk be the type of player worth sacrificing part of the flexibility Rob Pelinka so clearly values?
It gets down to your POV about roster building... and also about the current team. Are players (and their contracts) worth more than cap space? Do the Lakers have the confidence to acquire players they think will have appeal on the open market, if they need to be moved again? Is it worth sacrificing flexibility later for guys (whether Monk or someone else) who can help win now?
This is a conversation that will be happening a lot, especially as the Lakers get closer to this year's trade deadline.
In the meantime, we can all enjoy Eurobasket, which is set to start next week now that everyone is all finished up with their warm up games... or at least Slovenia is. They, and Luka, took one on the chin Thursday against Serbia. Luka, who absorbed a tremendous amount of attention from the opposition, again struggled from the perimeter (2-10 from 3-point range) but managed overall to still put up a solid line with 17 points and multiple trips to the FT line.
That, by the way, is something to watch. Luka hasn't been as successful getting to and finishing at the rim as he was earlier in his career. Will his physical transformation change that trend?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Why Luka gets it.
SEGMENT 2: Slovenia takes one on…
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Are the Lakers Overrated or Underrated? Plus, LeBron's Next Milestone (and a crazy Kareem record)!
21 augustus 2025 · 32 min
The Lakers are in an interesting spot. On the one hand, they were dumped rather unceremoniously from the playoffs by the Timberwolves last spring. The perception, at least in some circles, is that they didn't make any big swings in the offseason. Nothing glamorous, managing only to acquire a couple of distressed assets (Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart) while a big piece (Dorian Finney-Smith) went to Houston. Lees meer
On the other hand, while the new guys might not be All Stars, even with some of the shine off their proverbial apples, those two still fill critical holes the Lakers played with in the postseason, and represent significant upgrades.
Meanwhile, they have a top five guy in Luka Dončić and a top 10 guy in LeBron James.
And they won 50 games last year, finishing as a three-seed in a brutally competitive Western Conference.
So are they paying a "Lakers Tax" when it comes to perception? Both of the team's offseason, and its standing in the West?
And finally, LeBron is up for (yet another) extremely cool milestone this year.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers being overrated or underrated?
SEGMENT 2: Let's be fair to Deandre Ayton
SEGMENT 3: LeBron and Kareem records.
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Luka Dončić Shines Against Great Britain, Dalton Knecht Falls in 2024 "Re-Draft"
20 augustus 2025 · 34 min
Everyone can exhale. Lees meer
After last weekend's injury scare for Luka Donćić, he was indeed back in action on Tuesday in Slovenia's Eurobasket prep exhibition against Great Britain. Just being healthy enough to play was encouraging (yes, it was reported that he was fine, but people want to see the evidence) but it was even better to see Luka dominate. In just over 28 minutes of play, he had 28 points (7-17 shooting, dragged down by a 2-11 mark from 3-point range, but boosted by 14 trips to the FT line), along with six rebounds and 10 assists.
So once again, things are looking good, and it's a lot easier to once again focus on the potential for a huge year from Luka.
The Lakers are also still holding out for big things from Dalton Knecht, even if others are more skeptical. To that point, The Athletic did a re-draft of the 2024 class, and Knecht, who was seen as a steal last summer but took some knocks as the year went along, following it all up with a less-than-stellar Summer League run.
Knecht wasn't even in the top 20 of the re-draft, even in a class that wasn't considered that strong.
So is it fair? Even if it's fair, does it "mean" anything? What can the Lakers reasonably expect from Knecht this year and going forward? What is the best case scenario?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka looks good against Great Britain.
SEGMENT 2: Knecht falls in the re-draft...
SEGMENT 3: Big questions around the rotation?
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Does Rui Hachimura Have a Future In Los Angeles? Can Redick Maximize Luka, LeBron and Reaves?
19 augustus 2025 · 33 min
As promising as the pairing of Luka Dončić with LeBron James and Austin Reaves seemed following last winter's trade, the Lakers never really managed to find a great rhythm, or post the type of production folks expected. One example of that? The lack of production in the pick and roll, especially with Luka and LeBron in the action. According to ESPN, the Lakers only had the two of them as the pairing in P&Rs 4.4 times per 100 possessions. That number went up in the playoffs, but isn't nearly high enough. Lees meer
And especially when you factor in Austin Reaves, the three of them should be working off each other far more frequently than what was happening last season. Not just in those sets, but in a variety of options. The capacity for all three of those guys, starting with Luka and working down to Reaves, to do unique things based on high hoops IQs, ball distribution and so on is high.
So how hard will it be for JJ Redick to unlock all of this?
How much will training camp impact these questions?
Meanwhile, the Lakers have another question about Rui Hachimura, and what his future might look like in Los Angeles. According to Jovan Buha, the Lakers aren't expected to offer him a contract extension going into this season, given how much they're emphasizing flexibility next summer. That doesn't mean Rui's gone either during this season or after, but clearly the Lakers don't see him as so critical that they'll change the plan.
So what does that say about their plan, though?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Can the Lakers maximize the "Big Three?"
SEGMENT 2: What are the challenges that come with getting the most out of them?
SEGMENT 3: Should the Lakers extend Rui Hachimura?
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Luka Dončić Has Injury Scare (But Should Be Fine), and Pat Riley Gets a Statue
18 augustus 2025 · 35 min
The Lakers got their first big scare of the offseason, when Luka Dončić had to leave this weekend's game for Slovenia against Latvia (after lighting up the Latvians in the first half). It made for some scary Tweets, but in the end, turned out (we think) to be ok. Dončić reportedly wanted to go back into the game and was held back. He's reportedly already practicing again, and isn't expected to miss Eurobasket action. Lees meer
Now, this type of thing scares the **** out of the Lakers and Lakers fans. But it's also something everyone needs to get used to, because summertime international play is part of the Luka experience. And will be most offseasons. It's another reason this question of fitness and diet is so important. These games may not count on his NBA ledger, but they count for his body. It's additional wear that has to be accounted for.
So two things - first, fans can be excited by the 26 point first half Luka posted before exiting the game, but they can also freak out over every injury scare like this one. But this is the world the Lakers live in. Time to get used to it!
Meanwhile, Pat Riley is getting a statue this year. Can't imagine fans would argue about that, but it begs the question, who's next? How many people are still in the queue?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka gets an injury scare prepping for Eurobasket.
SEGMENT 2: Why the fitness matters
SEGMENT 3: Riley gets a statue!
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Schedule Reaction Show! Did the Lakers Catch Any Big Breaks? Plus Other Highlights
15 augustus 2025 · 35 min
It's not exactly the summer equivalent of Christmas Day -- that's the start of free agency -- but without question Schedule Drop Day is always a big one in NBA circles. Who's on TV the most? Where are the big matchups? How many back-to-backs? Where are the big rivalry games? Lees meer
Thursday, we started to get those answers, as the NBA (after leaking some of the big event day games) finally put out the whole thing.
As for the Lakers, there's no way you can look at a Western Conference schedule and not think, "wow, that's brutal," but all that aside did the schedule gods make things even harder? How many long trips? Challenging travel in B2B's? Do they open with a home heavy schedule? Finish with a ton on the road?
And when are some of the big event games -- like the night Pat Riley's statute gets unveiled outside Crypto.com? (Which always begs the question, who gets the next one?)
So much intrigue and so many questions for a season that's still weeks away.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Schedule reaction!
SEGMENT 2: Where the Lakers have the biggest challenges.
SEGMENT 3: The Riley statue and statues to follow.
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How Does the New Strength and Conditioning Coach Help Luka Dončić and the Lakers? Jeff Stotts Explains...
14 augustus 2025 · 36 min
The Lakers made some news this week, hiring Jeremy Holsopple to be their next strength and conditioning guru. Holsopple, who worked in Dallas for a long time (stretching across the Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Dončić eras), is well-regarded in league circles, and just as importantly, has a great relationship with Luka. Lees meer
That seems to play into why Holsopple was let go by the Mavs.
But should Lakers fans be excited by the addition, beyond the idea of making Luka happy?
What exactly do strength and conditioning coaches do, anyway, and how easy is it to tell if they're doing it well? How do they fit into a larger player health architecture, and are the Lakers finally, after years of turnover, making some progress in this area?
We answer these questions and many, many more with Jeff Stotts, certified athletic trainer, the founder of instreetclothes.com and one of the more respected voices around the NBA on player health and injuries. He's a big fan of the hire, and believes it's a good sign for the direction of the team in this area.
Stotts also weighs in on how Luka's big summertime transformation could impact him this year and beyond, what we might expect from LeBron physically, and why injuries might be spiking around the league, despite more attention than ever to player fitness, the physiology of basketball, and things like load management.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Who is Jeremy Holsopple? And what do strength and conditioning coaches do, anyway?
SEGMENT 2: How Luka's new body impacts him now and down the road.
SEGMENT 3: LeBron, NBA injuries and more.
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The Lakers Hire a New (and Luka Dončić Approved!) Strength and Conditioning Coach
13 augustus 2025 · 34 min
The Lakers have had a tremendous amount of turnover in their strength/training/sports medicine departments over the last decade. And once again, they have a new man in charge. Lees meer
This time, though, it's a bigger deal than normal because 1) the hire—Jeremy Holsopple—is getting excellent reviews from smart people who know about this stuff around the league, and 2) because Holsopple was once a critical part of Luka's trusted circle in Dallas. By bringing him into the org, the Lakers are not only (hopefully) bringing expertise and stability, but also strengthening the bond with Luka. A wise move on multiple levels, and the type of thing the Lakers have historically done well.
It was the dismissal of Holsopple that contributed to the souring of the relationship between Team Luka and the Mavs.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have some folks at the end of the roster, not projected to be part of the rotation. Some of them, like Dalton Knecht, will watched carefully to see if they can break through and find regular minutes. Others... well, sometimes you have to remind folks they're still on the team. Namely Maxi Kleber, who didn't appear in a regular season game last season after arriving in the trade, making his debut in some bonkers minutes in Game 5 against the Wolves.
There are many, many reasons to doubt Kleber's ability to contribute this yea for the Lakers, and there's a very good chance that his expiring deal (the only thing people talk about in relation to Kleber) is the most important thing about him in the 2025-26 season. But there's at least a possibility that Kleber can provide the Lakers backup center minutes when the matchups demand a player who is significantly different than Jaxson Hayes, the only other C on the roster after Deandre Ayton.
It would certainly be a major boost were it to turn out that way.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a new strength and conditioning coach!
SEGMENT 2: Improving on the margins?
SEGMENT 3: Kleber as a …
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Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and the Challenges of Developing Talent on Good Teams
12 augustus 2025 · 33 min
Monday, we talked about the challenges Dalton Knecht faced in his rookie season with the Lakers. How much were those challenges responsible for the inconsistencies in his play? How much of it is related to gaps in his skill set or hoops IQ (based on struggles to learn the proper reads on both sides of the ball)? Lees meer
And did the Lakers potentially get a little unlucky that Knecht fell into their laps, in the sense that they had less hands-on time with him (no workout, etc.) because they never suspected he'd be available at 17? If hoops IQ turns out to be a limiting factor, is that something the Lakers might have discovered had he been inside the building? Is it fair to worry more about Knecht given his (relatively) advanced age for a second year player?
Or is all of this simply a matter of time? With more of it -- more reps, more experience -- could Knecht hit his stride this season?
And is Knecht limited by circumstance? The Lakers are a team competing for something in the West. They have aspirations. They are not in great position to give rotation minutes to a player who needs extensive freedom to make mistakes, or learn on the job. Meanwhile, Bronny James, the 55th pick a year ago, who certainly wasn't expected to contribute for at least a year or more, was put on a much more traditional development path. With the G-League, he was given the keys to the offense, and asked to run the same sets over and over and over again until the reads became more natural.
The results? Bronny seems to have advanced far more significantly from year 1 to 2 than Knecht. Granted, that's based on Summer League as much as anything, but still reinforces how context is often key in professional sports.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Looking at Dalton's development.
SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers in position to help him grow?
SEGMENT 3: Dalton's development vs. Bronny's.
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Lakers Open Against Golden State, Get Houston on X-Mas. Plus... Luka Dončić Back In Action!
11 augustus 2025 · 37 min
We're still weeks away from the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season, but at least now we know when it starts, and how it will begin for the Lakers. Lees meer
No surprise, the purple and gold are on for the league's opening night, October 21st, at home against the Warriors. Adam Silver knows he only has so many opportunities remaining for a LeBron James vs. Steph Curry tilt, and he's making sure the league gets one early, before the grind of the season makes it more likely one or the other could miss a game.
From there, the Lakers will also get the Houston Rockets on Christmas, also at home.
So only 80 games left to learn about!
Meanwhile, Luka Dončić is back on the floor, prepping with the Slovenian national squad for Eurobasket. Against Germany on Friday, Luka played 24 minutes, finishing with 19 points, three rebounds and five dimes as the Germans picked up the win. But the win or the loss, while not irrelevant (there are plenty of Slovenians and Luka fans who are invested in Slovenia's success), is secondary to how Luka looks. Literally and figuratively.
In a lot of ways, the answer to the "look" question fits in with some of the criticism of our initial conversation around where Locked On Lakers ranked players like Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves in the network's Top 100.
Finally, what might be at the core of the team's growing Dalton Knecht problem?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers open vs. Golden State, get Houston on Christmas.
SEGMENT 2: Luka vs. Germany!
SEGMENT 3: The problem with Dalton?
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Were Does Luka Dončić Rank Among the NBA's Best? LeBron James? Austin Reaves?
8 augustus 2025 · 35 min
It's summertime, which makes it Rankin' Seazin! And here at the Locked On Network, we're celebrating big. The NBA channel will soon be rolling out its Top 100. Lees meer
So where does Luka Dončić rank on the list? What about LeBron James? Austin Reaves? Do any other Lakers crack the top 100 players in the league? And more importantly, what does it mean to have guys on the list? Is there a big difference between 3 and 10? 10 and 20? What about 50 and 75? How many players do the Lakers have right now that can be reasonably considered to be in the top half of the league?
Next, listeners react to Thursday's show focused on where Reaves fits, or should fit, into the team's future. Needless to say, among the folks actively commenting on the YouTube page, it was not universal love for AR. So do they have a point? Is Reaves overrated by the national and local media? Or is there a strain of Lakers fans who ... just kinda don't like him for one reason or another? What do the rankings indicate about how people might want to think about Reaves and his value, especially as he comes up for a new contract?
Finally, Deandre Ayton gets to participate in a rite of passage for new Lakers... throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Where does Luka rank?
SEGMENT 2: What about LeBron and Reaves? What's important about the numbers?
SEGMENT 3: Reacting to Reaves.
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Is Austin Reaves a Good Long Term Running Mate for Luka Dončić?
7 augustus 2025 · 35 min
The Lakers have a lot of questions in front of them, now that Luka Dončić has signed his extension with the team. Lees meer
Most of them revolve around how best to build around the new superstar, and fundamental to that question is the future of Austin Reaves. It is widely assumed that next summer Reaves will attract a contract worth north of $30 million annually. Possibly around $35, if he has another season that looks like last year. It's also widely assumed that the Lakers will be the team that pays him. But while that contract number isn't out of line for someone with AR's numbers, it definitely would remove Reaves from the "best bargains in basketball" category, where he's sat for the last few seasons.
So what does that impact the way the Lakers should look at him going forward?
Many analysts look at Dončić and note that the players with whom he tends to thrive are generally athletic centers who can finish above the rim, and shooters to space the floor (ideally ones that can defend, as well). Basically, offensive players that can take advantage of his myriad skills, while also helping cover for his biggest weakness (high end defense).
Reaves is an excellent player, but isn't either of those things. That's less an issue when he's making $14 mil or so than $35, because the Lakers would have less money to fill holes Reaves can't. On the other hand, he's really good, and the pairing was pretty effective last year in terms of net rating. So clearly they can play together.
But how do the Lakers build a roster as players they like get pricier?
Could LeBron James actually be a useful bridge for one more season if the goal really is to keep flexibility for the summer of '27?
How exactly are the Lakers viewing roster building, big picture?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Is Austin Reaves an ideal running mate for Luka?
SEGMENT 2: What are LA's options when it comes to Reaves? Pros and cons?
SEGMENT 3: Is LeBron a potential bridge for the Lakers?
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Why It's "The Beginning" for Luka Dončić With the Lakers. Plus... Kevin Love?
6 augustus 2025 · 34 min
On Tuesday's show, we talked about how in many ways, the Luka Dončić Era, while technically starting when he was actually traded to the Lakers, really started Saturday when Luka signed his extension. Lees meer
Turns out, in a lot of ways, Team Dončić agrees. Via Dan Woike's story about the epic week Luka had leading up to last weekend's contract party, the contract was presented to Dončić "in custom purple-and-black folders with his name and the Lakers’ logo in opposite corners, with a phrase his management team had chosen on a video screen behind him — “The Beginning.”"
Additionally, Luka's manager Lara Beth Seager had this to say. "He’s only looking forward. And he’s here. He wants to get the best players here. He wants to win, and he knows it starts with him,” Seager said. “And I think that’s what he proved this offseason. ‘OK, everyone wants to say or people think that they know me or I’m not a leader or I’m this way, or I’m that way, I don’t care. They can think and say whatever they want. I'm gonna show them who I am."
Meaning Dončić now has a massive chip on his shoulder. Not surprising, since pro athletes famously find ways to put them there for invented slights. Actual ones work even better, and no question, Luka has reason to feel disrespected by the Mavs, and anyone who was willing to entertain their party line.
Meanwhile, we answer a viewer question --- How many MVPs will Luka win with the Lakers? Multiple? Just one? None?
And finally, Kevin Love apparently wants to play in LA this year (as opposed to Utah). Would the Lakers be a fit?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Why it's "the beginning" for Luka.
SEGMENT 2: Multiple MVPs for Luka in LA?
SEGMENT 3: Kevin Love?
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Time to fuel up and turn it up with 5-hour ENERGY®️ Transfusion! Go to https://5hourenergy.com today and use my promo code LOCKEDONGOLF to receive 20% off your order.This offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and … -
Grade the Lakers' Offseason. What's a Fair Evaluation for Rob Pelinka and the Roster?
5 augustus 2025 · 34 min
With most of the dust settled in the NBA offseason, it's not a bad time to start doing some leaguewide evaluations of how things have gone. Lees meer
That means grades! The Athletic put out a batch, and Lakers beat writer wrote this about the purple and gold:
"Grade: B-
The challenge in grading the Lakers’ offseason is whether to hold them to the relative scale of what they were trying to accomplish or whether to grade them against the rest of the league — in particular, their rivals in the West. If it’s regarding what they were trying to accomplish, it’s hard to think of a way they could’ve done better than Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart without sacrificing draft picks or significant assets. If it’s against the rest of the West, you can’t say on paper that they kept up with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets or maybe even the LA Clippers. But an offseason isn’t just about which players come in and which ones are lost; there’s other stuff, too. Luka Dončić’s extension (and role in signing Ayton and Smart) bodes well for a long-term relationship between the organization and the star. The ownership sale to Mark Walter at a $10 billion evaluation should eventually give the team every financial tool and then some. The awkwardness with LeBron James is less than ideal, but on the whole, the Lakers got better this summer in more than one way."
So is this fair? Accurate? Is the split-emphasis on both the rest of the conference and moves in a vacuum the right way to look at it? Does it sell the Lakers a little bit short?
And then meanwhile, even if you think the Lakers have fallen a tick or two behind the best teams in the conference (which is a fair evaluation) it's important to remember that the Lakers had a lot more room to move down than move up. Treading water would have been a reasonable outcome. Getting better? And getting Luka under contract in the best way possible? That's pretty good stuff.
From there, we explain why the Luka Era officially began this o…
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Luka Dončić's New Body Has The NBA In SHOCK & Breaking down Restricted Free Agents! | NBA Squad Show
4 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 4 min
Nick Angstadt and the Locked On NBA Squad dive into Doncic's physical makeover and its potential impact on his game. They explore the restricted free agent market, with a focus on Jonathan Kuminga's situation with the Golden State Warriors. The panel debates the Houston Rockets' chances in the loaded Western Conference after adding Kevin Durant, and assesses the Orlando Magic's rise in the East. Plus, they examine how the Minnesota Timberwolves will cope without Naz Reid. Lees meer
Tune in for expert analysis on these burning NBA topics and hear why one host is having "an emotional basketball affair" with the new-look Luka.
0:00 Intro: Discussing skinny Luka and NBA topics
5:07 Luka's transformation and its impact on NBA
15:44 Restricted free agents and contract negotiations
21:22 Houston Rockets' potential with Kevin Durant
27:31 Magic's outlook and Eastern Conference standings
33:21 Minnesota Timberwolves' prospects after changes
39:07 Debating Houston vs Minnesota in rankings
44:28 Orlando Magic's potential in coming season
49:56 Timberwolves' playoff performance and future
54:59 Derrick White's value and impact on teams
58:39 Celtics' roster changes and future outlook
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