Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers
Alle afleveringen
500 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
Will JJ Redick Choose to Run a Deeper Rotation With the New Look Lakers?
2 oktober 2026 · 31 min
The Lakers have a significantly different roster this season than last. That everyone knows. Lees meer
How it'll get used is an open question.
Plenty of people think the team has a little more usable depth this season, especially if players like Cam Carr and Adou Thiero prove to be capable of handling minutes. The Lakers want to figure out how to use defensive oriented players like Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams. They need to get offensive spark plug Collin Sexton real minutes. Jake LaRavia played all 82 last year, and in the first half of them at least was productive.
And on Thursday at practice, even Kevon Looney, generally seen as a guy not slated for much PT, was being talked up pretty significantly.
Now, not everyone is going to play to the top of his potential. Not everyone is going to stay healthy. But for the time being, at least, Redick has the full menu available to him, and has to figure out how to use it. There have been a few teams in the last couple years who have tried to expand their rotation beyond the standard 9-10, pushing 11 and even 12 guys playing night to night. That can get complicated, but has some upside. Will Redick try that? Or will it be something where it's 10 (generally) on a nightly basis, but some of the names change?
The players could make this decision easier, or they could make it a lot harder. Redick is surely rooting for the latter.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: What kind of rotation will Redick run with?
SEGMENT 2: Is Looney really gonna play?
SEGMENT 3: New PA announcer, new front office name.
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware… -
JJ Redick Discusses Growth as Lakers Coach, no longer Fueled by "Inner-anger."
1 oktober 2026 · 19 min
At Wednesday's practice, JJ Redick got a little reflective, looking back on his early days as Lakers head coach. He noted that while the confidence he could do the job was always there, at times it felt like cosplay. Not surprising, really, given that it was his first head coaching gig at any level beyond grade school coaching his kids. Lees meer
That feeling, and an intense desire to try to control EVERYTHING going on around him is likely why Redick was, to say the least, a little tightly wound in that first season.
But last season saw a bit of a mellowing with Redick, and now entering his third year in LA (with two 50-win seasons behind him), Redick definitely feels more calm and at ease. That should, at least in theory, help him be a better coach. And it's a big year for Redick, who finally has a rim protector on defense and a roster he feels makes much more sense as a whole than anything he's had here before. So what will he do with it? How will the offense change? Will he find floor combos that maximize the team's potential, and of his role guys?
Plenty to look forward to.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
PHOTO CREDIT: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusiv… -
The Lakers Are Forging an Early Identity on Both Sides of the Ball
1 oktober 2026 · 30 min
It's early, less than a week in. But listen to JJ Redick and the rest of the Lakers, and it's clear they're working hard to forge a real identify on both sides of the ball. Lees meer
Defensively, Redick has already talked about how the days of 1-5 switching are over with the arrival of Walker Kessler. It's going to look more like 1-4, but even then with some caveats. And just that change will make the Lakers look a lot different defensively. Add to that the constant talk of disruption and deflections and intensity, and you start to see what the vision is on defense.
Offensively, Austin Reaves said Wednesday that the Lakers are looking to use fewer ball screens, which makes sense given that their two primary weapons function well, if not better, without them. Reaves described a more "free flowing" offense, and Redick noted how they want to expand the playbook a little in their early offense beyond what they did last year.
Put it all together, and it feels like the Lakers want to take advantage of a roster that a) will be together (in theory) for a bit, and b) has a skill set they believe is more coherent.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: JJ is building out an identity, early.
SEGMENT 2: Early plans for the offense and defense.
SEGMENT 3: Why the Lakers can build it out a little faster.
PHOTO SEGMENT: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign … -
What Should JJ Redick's Rotation Look Like, From Starters to Reserves? Listeners Weigh In...
30 september 2026 · 23 min
JJ Redick has some decisions to make, not just with the starting lineup -- while he says that only three of the five spots are settled (if we have to tell you which ones, you're probably at the wrong podcast), most people believe that Quentin Grimes is also very likely to start. So that leaves a fifth guy. Will it be Sandro Mamukelashvili? Ziaire Williams? Jake LaRavia? Matisse Thybulle, for that defensive presence? What about a wild card like Adou Thiero? Lees meer
The decision Redick makes there will obviously have a ripple effect on the rest of the rotation. So he's likely thinking about which player combinations work best over the course of 48 minutes, not just who might be the "best" player available to him to fill that spot.
The good news for JJ is that the Lakers don't really have to worry about the politics that might go into the decision. None of the players he's choosing from are likely to rock the boat if they don't "win" the competition for the fifth starter?
According to our Locked On Lakers summer survey, fans are leaning now towards Williams, thanks to his defensive range and athleticism, and a degree of versatility despite a pretty thin frame.
Williams is also one of the role players fans are most excited to see, part of a group that should give Redick a chance to deploy players with a little more cohesion in skill sets. Whether you believe the parts are better this year than last, there's definitely an argument to be made that they fit together in ways that make more sense.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Gametime
… -
Walker Kessler Says the Lakers Are Going to Have a "Nasty" Defense... In a Good Way
30 september 2026 · 32 min
Two days into the Lakers season, one thing is clear: Walker Kessler is an extremely optimistic young man who believes in the inherent awesomeness of his teammates. So when Kessler said on Tuesday that he believes the Lakesr are going to have a "nasty" defense, and meant it in the most positive way possible, it definitely raised some eyebrows. Lees meer
In his mind, the team's defensive quality is being underrated.
Determining whether he's right depends a little on how we're defining terms. Are the Lakers underrated in the sense that they're secretly goign to be a top five defense, taking the league by storm? Probably not.
But are they underrated in the sense that many folks feel like they could be a disaster on that side of the ball? That they're going to be worse than last year's ranking of (about) 20th, depending on who's data you use?
That's a different story.
Put last year and this year side by side, and it's actually quite reasonable to believe the Lakers are going to be better on that side of the ball this season. Mostly because of Kessler, but also because there should be a level of defensive cohesion that wasn't present a year ago.
So are the Lakers going to be "nasty" good, or "nasty" bad?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Kessler says the Lakers are going to be nasty.
SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers better or worse this year on that side?
SEGMENT 3: Finding a coherent style of play.
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 o… -
Will Walker Kessler Be a Game-Changer Defensively? His Teammates Say Yes...
29 september 2026 · 20 min
The Lakers have arguably the most elite offensive force in basketball in Luka Doncic, and that without question provides them a certain level of confidence every time they take the floor. They know as long as they have that guy, they have a chance to win, even on a night where the team isn't playing well. Lees meer
But the larger questions around this team aren't on that side of the ball. People don't know if the Lakers, led by Luka and Austin Reaves, have enough defensive talent to thrive.
You wouldn't know that from the level of confidence expressed by Lakers players at Monday's Media Day, however. And that confidence can be boiled down to the presence of one guy: Walker Kessler. Luka noted how hard it is to play against Kessler, which was one big reason he wanted the former Jazzman on the Lakers. Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia, Zaiare Williams, Matisse Thybulle -- anybody expected to play a lick of defense on this squad noted how much more freedom they have to play aggressively knowing that Kessler is behind them.
Kessler's defensive metrics back up that confidence, but will it translate to higher pressure, higher stakes basketball now that he's in LA?
If the answer is yes, the Lakers will then have one of those dudes on both sides of the ball, and it'll make a big difference in their prospects.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.Square
Get up to $200… -
Media Day! The Lakers Kick Off 2026-27 With Confidence and Purpose
29 september 2026 · 32 min
The new-look Lakers made their season debut Monday with Media Day, and it definitely felt like the start of a new era. Lotsof new players, changing roles and shifting expectations around a team that is expected to be good, but not expected to contend. Lees meer
But that's what media says. The players didn't talk about long term plans or rebuilding over time. They talked about winning this year, and expressed confidence in the talent on hand to get it done. There were a lot of themes that stuck out:
They all thought that trip to Slovenia was really valuable, even beyond obviously wanting to seem appreciative.
Luka is a draw. The role guys all seemed to understand what playing with Luka could do for them, and how he’ll make their lives easier.
Defensively there is a MAJOR vibe shift in terms of confidence players express, and that’s all Kessler. I realize some of it is seen as speculative and there’s a chance he doesn’t meet expectations, but THEY clearly believe they have one of *those guys* and that could make a significant difference in how they play.
It's a very likable group overall. Rob Pelinka noted last week it should be a group that fans enjoy cheering for, and I think media day reflected that.
Whether intentional or not, they have multiple core players who have had to really grind through uncertain circumstances to establish themselves as players in Reaves, Grimes and Mamu. I think that’s potentially really good for building a culture.
In combination with what we heard from Pelinka and JJ Redick last week, it definitely feels like the Lakers made strides in bringing in a group of people that can set a culture. Decent people and (hopefully) high end players that help usher in a new era in Lakers basketball.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The new look Lakers make their debut.
SEGMENT 2: Big themes!
SEGMENT 3: They believe in the potential of the group.
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Li… -
Media Day! The Lakers Kick Off the Season Truly as Luka Dončić's Team
28 september 2026 · 32 min
Media Day! It's the first day of school, NBA style. Lees meer
And for the Lakers, it's truly a new era, as Luka Donćić opens the season as the sole superstar voice on the team. He is going to be the leader of an entirely new group, tasked with setting culture and a tone that is going to, hopefully, result in the next year or two in a team ready to compete for a championship. And it's a role he's said he admits is more meaningful to him now, and that he's ready to step into in earnest.
It's part of a new chapter for the Lakers, where they're clearly trying to build continuity -- something emphasized by Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick in last week's press conference, and that they've lacked in meaningful ways over the last few seasons. In part by choice, in part by circumstance.
It'll be fun to watch Luka grow into the role, and how his leadership style shapes the next phase of Lakers basketball.
Meanwhile, the Lakers need to figure out how to get the roster down to 15. Is there any advantage (mostly in goodwill) to letting a player go now, while he has a better chance of hooking up with another team?
And who should the Lakers be cutting, if it comes to that?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are officially Luka's team in every way now.
SEGMENT 2: How Luka's interest in leadership has grown.
SEGMENT 3: How should the Lakers get the roster down to size?
PHOTO CREDIT: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and c… -
Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick Meet the Media: Key Takeaways
25 september 2026 · 32 min
The season officially kicks off on Monday, with Lakers Media Day. It unofficially kicked off Thursday, when Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick met the media. They answered questions for just over a half hour on a range of topics, and generally sounded like people pleased with a busy summer's work and ready to begin the Luka Era in earnest, with a team that is his now on every level. Lees meer
Some of the highlights:
Pelinka said that once they knew LeBron was leaving, they built a template based on 1) Keeping Austin. 2) Finding a "franchise center." 3. Getting younger with "dribble, pass, shoot" types who could work well around Luka. Certainly they believe the mission was accomplished in that regard.
JJ said three spots were locked in the starting lineup. (If you need us to tell you which... how did you get here, anyway?) And while he didn't reveal any big hints about the other two, he did say it wouldn't be "two white guys." Sorry LaRavia and Mamu. There's only room for one of you.
JJ and Pelinka both agreed this roster makes sense, in terms of its construction. They've put something together that is coherent in their eyes, even if it's incomplete. Speaking of which...
Both Pelinka and Redick made it clear that the Luka-centric rebuild wasn't going to be executed in one offseason. This is a project that is still in progress. Asked if he thinks the Lakers have a championship caliber roster, Pelinka deferred, and certainly didn't say yes.
They're done switching 1-5 now that Kessler is in the fold. That, said Redick, was a strategy borne from necessity, not preference.
More to come on Monday at Media Day!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Pelinka and Redick meet the media.
SEGMENT 2: A roster in progress.
SEGMENT 3: Competition for starting spots.
PHOTO CREDIT: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/po… -
Does Austin Reaves Have More Pressure on Him This Season Than Any Other Laker?
24 september 2026 · 31 min
Austin Reaves signed a massive contract this offseason, moving him from one of the great bargains in the NBA to ... something else. And based on the results of our listener survey, no Laker has more pressure on him going into the year than Reaves. People are worried about whether or not he'll live up to the contract, and whether that contract will age well. They're worried about the defense (which he doesn't help). They're worried, basically, about everything associated with Reaves as a true number two, expected to step in behind Luka Doncic and lead the team. Lees meer
ESPN, for its part, has Reaves ranked at 37 in its NBA Rank project this year, a massive bump from last season (60). Is that a fair placement?
And more importantly, what does the slotting say about where Reaves fits into the league's upper crust, now that he's paid like one of those guys? It's a strange space, where folks in that range can elevate to raise the ceiling of a team, or hurt it by underperforming or getting hurt. The Lakers no longer have the financial flexibility afforded by Reaves making well under market money. Now, the pressure will be on to earn it.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will sound different this year. First, longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his retirement earlier this summer. Now, we're learning that Stu Lantz, who has been part of the broadcasts on TV since the 80s, will only be calling home games after enduring some health issues that kept him out of the booth last year.
Great that he's well enough to work, even in a reduced capacity. For a legend like Stu, we'll take what we can get.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Austin Reaves under pressure.
SEGMENT 2: Where does Reaves stack up?
SEGMENT 3: What the Lakers need from each tier of player.
PHOTO CREDIT: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http… -
BONUS! NBA TOP 100 Rankings: 21-30 (With Andy Kamenetzky)! LeBron, Flagg, and Jalen(s)!
24 september 2026 · 56 min
It's the Locked On NBA Top 100 player rankings! Today, Wes, Matt, Haize and Andy come together to rank players 21-30. Will LeBron James continue to slide? Does Cooper Flagg crack the top 30? Find out on today's episode! Lees meer
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
-
Is Walker Kessler a Top 75 Player in the NBA? ESPN Thinks Yes.
23 september 2026 · 32 min
The Lakers made a bold push to acquire Walker Kessler in a summertime sign and trade with the Jazz, giving up the rest of their first round draft capital and a whole lot of money to bring in the young, hopefully ascending defensive standout. Some liked the move when it happened, some thought the Lakers overpaid. But if ESPN's summertime player rankings are to be believed, at the least the Lakers spent all this stuff on a player that's pretty good! Lees meer
Kessler landed at 73 in the annual rankings, one spot ahead of Isaiah Hartenstein, one spot behind VJ Edgecombe.
The question is if there's room to grow, because if Kessler actually gets better -- and there's a very good chance his offensive numbers rise playing with Luka, who has made far lesser players than Kessler look good -- that puts him more towards the league's top 50. Now the Lakers would be cooking with gas.
So what's fair? What's not? And how does Kessler fit even more neatly into what the Lakers are likely going to try to do offensively?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Kessler at 73 on ESPN!
SEGMENT 2: Justified ranking?
SEGMENT 3: Kessler's secret weapon offensively.
PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-n… -
Can Austin Reaves Make an All-NBA Team? Can Redick Get Coach of the Year Votes?
22 september 2026 · 31 min
The Lakers aren't necessarily expected to contend for a title this season, but Luka Dončić is still one of the favorites for MVP. Which is a testament to both his star power, and his incredible skill as an offensive player, because MVP candidates almost definitionally come from elite teams. Lees meer
But what about the other guys? Who has a chance to be Most Improved from this year's roster? What about Coach of the Year? Could Cam Carr break into the Rookie of the Year conversation? What about Austin Reaves on an All-NBA Team?
While there's no question each of these guys would love to take home some postseason hardware and it's always interesting to see what kind of love Lakers players/coaches get for things like this, the real value of the discussion is how it frames where the Lakers could end up. The best case scenarios for this team likely have some combination of Grimes as an MIP, Luka in MVP voting, Collin Sexton in the 6th Man convo, and AR gunning for All NBA.
Maybe some of those things don't happen, but a couple almost surely need to for that scenario to have some legs.
So we break down the most likely ones from FanDuel Sportsbook's preseason futures tables.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: What about the Lakers and postseason awards?
SEGMENT 2: Grimes? Mamu? Bronny? Dalton? Huh?
SEGMENT 3: The market is getting set already?
PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon… -
Will New Lakers Ownership Prioritize Money and Profit Over Winning Basketball?
21 september 2026 · 31 min
A LOT of eyebrows went up among Lakers fans heading into the weekend when news of an investor presentation created by the Josh Kushner/Bob Iger ownership group to bring in more cash to their group and round out the sale of the team from embattled owner Mark Walter. Lees meer
The pitch lays out how the team plans to build the team's value up to (we bleep you not) $30 billion over the next decade. And that, by the way, is more a middle ground estimate. If things go really well, that number could get a lot higher. (So they say.) How they plan to get there seems to be through a combination of very, very aggressive marketing and monetization of everything in the org that isn't nailed to the floor, plus things like international rights, growing value of the NBA more broadly, and a rapid increase in ticket revenue built not simply on price increases (though that's happening, and would have even had the team not been sold again), but by eliminating the role of ticket brokers.
That will functionally serve to jack up prices, because on the secondary market tickets often go for below face value. And when they go higher, it's the broker that gets the money, not the team.
More than anything, fans are very, very worried this is a sign the Lakers will be much more concerned about money and paper value than titles and banners. Are they right?
And is this a big concern across the league?
Finally, more preseason odds from our friends at FanDuel. Who from the Lakers is in real contention for postseason hardware?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers next owners are aggressively raising money.
SEGMENT 2: What does the prospectus mean for Lakers fans?
SEGMENT 3: More preseason odds for Lakers players.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Cozy Earth
Head to h… -
Which Lakers Have a Real Shot at Postseason Awards? Luka for MVP? Kessler for All-Defense?
18 september 2026 · 30 min
Preseason odds for postseason awards don't necessarily say everything about a team's chances, but they can be instructive. So for the Lakers, who aren't expected to move mountains this year when it comes to the Western Conference standings, where players land on some of the preseason betting lists is worth a look. Lees meer
And thankfully, our friends at Fanduel Sportsbook have their numbers up for view!
No surprise, Luka Dončić has the fourth best odds in the NBA to win MVP, which is a testament to the respect he gets as a player, because MVP almost always comes from a team at or near the top of a conference. That's not where the Lakers are expected to be. Meanwhile, who else appears on different lists? Is Austin Reaves seen as a real candidate to contend for an All-NBA slot? What about Walker Kessler for Defensive Player of the Year? Or Most Improved?
What does having two players (Sexton, Mamu) in the conversation for Sixth Man mean for the team this year? Especially considering how poor the bench has performed over the last couple of seasons?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Who is on the board for postseason awards?
SEGMENT 2: What about Kessler?
SEGMENT 3: Why 6MOY is a key race to watch in terms of Lakers success this season.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
Make this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.… -
How Well Are the Lakers Set Up for the Future? Breaking Down ESPN's Future Rankings...
17 september 2026 · 30 min
Every year, ESPN breaks out its Future Rankings, looking at the prospects every team in the league has going forward, based on things like roster quality, draft capital, financial flexibility, quality of management and quality of market. Lees meer
Last year, the Lakers were 8th. This year, they're 13th.
Why the downgrade? Mostly because the financial flexibility and draft capital they had last summer was used this summer. So they fell in those categories. Thankfully, they did rise in roster quality, but the overall effect is a downgrade. So what comes next? On the one hand, 13th isn't bad. To the extent you think these types of evaluations are revealing, you'd want to be higher. But it's not bad. And meanwhile, 13th in the NBA actually translates to fourth in the Western Conference, meaning many of the team's competitors seem to have equally murky future prospects, or worse. And these are the teams the Lakers have to compete against.
As in all things, the wisdom of these rankings will likely be revealed based on this season, and learning whether or not the extensive list of moves made by Rob Pelinka in the offseason play out the way he hopes. If Rob is right, the future looks a lot brighter. If he's not?
Don't ask.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are 13th in the Future Rankings.
SEGMENT 2: The categories that matter...
SEGMENT 3: Context is king. Where LA fits with the rest of the conference.
PHOTO CREDIT: William Liang-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
Make thi… -
Adam Silver Weighs In on Mark Walter, Lakers Ownership, Plus Did the Lakers Catch a Cap Break?
16 september 2026 · 37 min
Tuesday at the NBA's league meetings, Adam Silver spoke to the media for the first time since dropping Adam's Silver Hammer on Steve Ballmer and the Clippers. Lees meer
He had a few things to say about the LAC, but of greater interest here were his comments about Mark Walter and the impending Lakers sale. Did the league have any inkling as to Walter's potential financial issues and the existence of a federal investigation when it approved the sale from the Buss fam? Silver says no, and it's certainly believable. He also says he didn't know about the deal between Kushner/Iger and Walter until the handshake was done.
That's perhaps a little tougher to believe, but also doesn't really matter that much, assuming the NBA didn't tap Kushner/Iger on the shoulder (their ownership group was looking at an expansion team) and suggest he give Walter a call.
No surprise, there wasn't any talk of the impending sale for LA. Too many impending deals.
Meanwhile, it's expected the salary cap is going to be a couple mil higher next offeason. Doesn't sound like all that mich given the size of payrolls, but for a team like the Lakers, hoping to preserve the ability to use a full non-taxpayer midlevel, this sort of thing matters. And from there, it's a a reminder too that one way the Lakers can improve is by creatively inserting themselves into trades that require multiple teams, whether to stash draft capital or players they like, ideally without giving up all that much. You want talked coming in, but not going out.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: League meetings. Folllowing Walter's money?
SEGMENT 2: How ownership is changing.
SEGMENT 3: Salary cap help is coming.
Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.
Protect yourself now.Stance
Check out the ICON collection from Stance—premium comfort, performance, and durability designed for whatever your day brings.
Use p… -
The Lakers Continue Hiring in the Basketball Department. Plus, Where do They Fit Out West?
15 september 2026 · 34 min
Last week, the big news for the Lakers was an assistant GM, but the team didn't stop there. On Friday, the squad also filled out the sports science staff, adding Keith D'Amelio as their new sports performance guy. (Director of Integrated Performance Systems, technically speaking.) Lees meer
This isn't necessarily a *new* new position—the Lakers have struggled for years to maintain a consistent sports medicine and sports performance department (the evolution of the training/sports science/performance space is a story in itself...). D'Amelio appears to be a new cog in that machine. But it still feels like they're building it out, and hopefully this hire can bring some stability to this part of their operation. Because it's a big factor in how free agents, when presented with opportunities to choose between good franchises, ultimately make decisions.
Jeanie Buss meanwhile is representing the Lakers at league meetings, which shouldn't surprise anyone. It's obviously too quick for the Lakers ownership to get a vote from the rest of the league. Josh Kushner still needs to sell his shares of the Miami Heat, and reports suggest the group still needs to add a few more investors. So when will the league be ready to go here? Hard to say, but given that the Lakers can't for a variety of reasons make many big personnel moves for a few months (we explain) and that they seem to be carrying on with hiring, it's not such a big deal.
Finally, ESPN is again previewing the West. The Lakers are bunched in with last year's 3-6 teams, in the "flawed" W.C. contenders category. Fair?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: More hires in the basketball department!
SEGMENT 2: The Lakers are still repped by Jeanie, which is fine!
SEGMENT 3: "Flawed" is fair?
Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterh…
-
Is Ziaire Williams Ready for a Big Role with the Lakers? Plus, How LA Dodged a Bullet
14 september 2026 · 36 min
Ziaire Williams gave a little more insight in to the trip he and the rest of his teammates, speaking to Sports Illustrated. While the Lakers played some ball, Williams says most of the important stuff from the trip came off the floor, in all the team bonding and team meals, and obviously the window into the world of Luka Donćić. Lees meer
That kind of thing is important for a team that is, for all intents and purposes, starting from scratch. And while teams like Minnesota have had a ton of turnover, the top teams in the conference, and a squad like Houston, still have a lot of continuity. So LA is playing catchup in that regard. Every bit helps.
But meanwhile, is Williams potentially the best option for the lakers at the remaining forward spot? There's certainly a strong argument to be made.
And from one Williams to another, the Lakers may have dodged a bullet when they rescinded their deal with the Hornets for Mark Williams. The (now) Suns center, who missed 22 games last year, is now going to miss months after undergoing shoulder surgery. There's still not a ton of insight out there about the details that got the Lakers to back out of that deal following Williams's physical?
Who cares? Point is, he's not here, and that's good for the Lakers.
And finally, Steve Ballmer made a lot of noise after the league handed down its punishment, threatening lawsuits and more. Well, Sunday he folded.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Ziaire Williams on the trip. Plus, is he the right guy to start?
SEGMENT 2: The Lakers dodged a bullet!
SEGMENT 3: Ballmer capitulates.
Photo Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura Cybersecurity
Start your free trial today at https://au… -
What Bobbleheads Say About Lakers Culture Going Forward... Plus, Expectations for Walker Kessler!
11 september 2026 · 36 min
The Lakers are giving away a lot of bobbleheads this season. Like, a lot. Both for established stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and fan favorites from days gone by, like Kurt Rambis, Norm Nixon and even Paul Westhead. Lees meer
The Lakers have done the bobblehead thing before, but not in this quantity during the season. And it's a reflection of how fan service and promotion are changing in the wake of the squad's Dodgerification (which is either continuing, or at the least, is continuing with plans already in progress, despite the upcoming sale).
And the Dodgers do the bobblehead thing a lot. Because they're incredibly popular, and a fun way to highlight players, both current and historical, as well as popular moments. They're a great way for the Lakers to honor players that can't get jerseys retired or statues out front. And more importantly, it naturally can get a person looking ahead to the next ownership era. Will they have the same respect for history as the Buss family has always had? That sort of attention to cultural history has always been a strong suit for the franchise, and appreciated by fans. So will the new guys be worthy successors in that regard?
Finally, earlier in the week we discussed Walker Kessler as someone who many are quite bullish on when it comes to performance this season. The range of reaction on the show's YouTube page was significant, from people believing Kessler is going to put up big numbers, and others that think the hype falls short.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The importance of Bobbleheads.
SEGMENT 2: Will new ownership honor team history?
SEGMENT 3: Expectations fair for Kessler?
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod…
-
The Lakers Hire Eric Amsler as Assistant GM... Are More Front Office Hires Coming?
10 september 2026 · 31 min
Good news out of El Segundo on Wednesday. The Lakers reportedly have hired (now former) Miami Heat executive Eric Amsler as another assistant general manager under Rob Pelinka. Lees meer
Amsler spent two decades in Miami, a place that famously holds on to its executives for a long time. He has worked extensively in the scouting functions, which is definitely a place where the Heat have thrived. Few teams have been more adept at consistently finding inexpensive players who produce in highly defined roles than the Heat. (How well those players produce in other roles, as Lakers fans know, is a different story.) The Lakers, quite prominently, basically don't have a scouting department, which indicates that Amsler could be the guy tasked with changing that. (In the same way that Rohan Ramadas is geared towards analytics.)
So is this a good hire? Hard to say. How responsible is Amsler for Miami's relatively consistent success? Also hard to say.
But the Lakers are pulling from a good org, with a guy who has a resume indicating some skill at something they're missing. That's good.
And the big Q: What this means for Rob Pelinka? Probably nothing. Amsler doesn't profile as a typical "GM in waiting" type. Pelinka's viability going forward is likely based on the team's success this year, and if they run him out of town there's a good chance new ownership will be looking for much stronger, or at least prominent, candidates than Amsler.
But it's still a welcome development, and an indication that the concern over a hiring freeze while ownership sorts itself out may not be totally accurate.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers hire another assistant GM.
SEGMENT 2: Is Amsler a good add?
SEGMENT 3: What does this mean for Pelinka?
Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Square
Get up… -
Is Walker Kessler Ready to Have a Major Impact for the Lakers? Plus, Phil Jackson Gets a Statue!
9 september 2026 · 36 min
On Tuesday's show, we talked about players like Ziaire Williams, Collin Sexton or Cam Carr who could make a significant difference in how the Lakers finish the season. But none of those guys matter if the frontline dudes -- that's Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler -- don't perform as needed. And while Luka and Austin are more proven commodities in the NBA, Kessler isn't. He's never played in the playoffs, or even for a .500 team. Last year, he barely even played, because the Jazz were in no hurry to get anyone on the floor who might actually help them win games. Lees meer
But that said, Kessler's impact numbers are undeniable, especially defensively, and there isn't a center on Earth that Luka hasn't made look significantly better. That includes the stiffs, and Kessler is decidedly not one of those.
So how good can he be? Lakers great Robert Horry, speaking at the team's golf tournament last week, thinks the answer is very good.
It's easy to agree, as well.
Meanwhile, Phil Jackson is getting a statute at Star Plaza at LA Live. He's obviously worthy, and one of the last guys you can think of from the organization who clearly merits the honor.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Walker Kessler needs to be good.
SEGMENT 2: Is Kessler a good bet to perform?
SEGMENT 3: The Lakers are giving Phil a statue.
Photo Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
Make this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 …
-
How Much Can Good Chemistry Help the Lakers Exceed Expectations This Season?
8 september 2026 · 36 min
The Lakers are expected to be good this season... but not good in a way people need to pay much attention to, according to the pundits and assorted tastemakers. Lees meer
So in some ways, the fact that they're a brand new group that will, like all new groups, need time to gel is actually kind of beneficial. When you're not expected to come out hot, it's ok if you don't. Gives the team a little time to build things up. Underpromise and overdeliver. And one of the things that might help the Lakers prove some doubters wrong? Chemistry. It's hard to quantify, but for a team that needs to find every avenue to maxing out its talent, chemistry is a potential helpful tool. How quickly can the Lakers look like a group that has played some ball together?
That's one way the Slovenia trip can make a difference. It obviously won't put the Lakers on the same level continuity wise as some of their competitors, but it can get the a little further ahead than they otherwise might have been. Maybe the good vibes help the team pull things together a few weeks faster than they otherwise might. And it'll help them mesh faster with Luka's leadership, which makes a difference. Slovenia was a chance for them to learn about the guy who will be leading them this season, which is critical.
And finally, which newcomers have the potential to make the most impact this year? Former Lakers champ Danny Green has thoughts.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: A leadership boost for Luka?
SEGMENT 2: Why chemistry can matter.
SEGMENT 3: Difference makers?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
Make this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five… -
The NBA Drops the Hammer on Steve Ballmer and the Clippers (and How the Lakers Dodged That Bullet)
4 september 2026 · 40 min
There were people, very likely including Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who didn't think Adam Silver had the stones to do it. Those people were wrong. Lees meer
The NBA on Wednesday dropped the hammer on the LA Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer, stripping five first round picks from the team, fining Ballmer $30 million and suspending him for a year, and handing down other suspensions to team executives. Uncle Dennis (i.e. Dennis Robertson) was banned for five years from NBA activity.
Only Kawhi Leonard got off basically unpunished by the league (a $750K fine, but in the grand scheme of things that doesn't amount to much given how severe the punishement could have been). And that is by design. Because by letting Kawhi walk with a slap on the wrist, the NBA avoids any sort of arbitration process that could hold up NBA business. And if the goal is to punish the behavior and prevent it in the future, the best way to do it is to punish the teams, not the players.
So what now? Where do the Clips, and the league, go from here?
And how could this have been the Lakers, had they chosen a different path?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The NBA drops the hammer.
SEGMENT 2: Why was the punishment so severe (for Ballmer, not Kawhi).
SEGMENT 3: Good on the Lakers for not being the team at the wrong end of this.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires i…
-
Who Should Be the Fifth Starter for the Lakers? Williams? Mamukelashvili? LaRavia? Thiero?
2 september 2026 · 40 min
Four spots in the starting lineup for the Lakers seem pretty settled. Obvously starting with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler, and from there Quentin Grimes seems like a pretty safe bet. Lees meer
But what about that fifth guy?
The hole comes at forward, but because Luka performs as a point guard offensively but absolutely doesn't on the other end, so what the Lakers really need is someone who can defend a few positions, allowing them to lighten Luka's load on that side as much as possible. Could that be Adou Thiero? Or is he too raw after playing so little as a rookie? How about Jake LaRavia? Underwhelming as an option, no question, but also perhaps the easiest answer if the goal is to have a starter-in-name-only type setup. What about Mamu? The Lakers invested a lot of money in him. And while he was a later add and is only on a minimum deal, Ziaire Williams makes a lot of sense, too.
So much depends on what JJ Redick and the coaching staff decide they want to do schematically, especially on defense.
We break down the options.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers need a fifth starter.
SEGMENT 2: Who makes the most sense?
SEGMENT 3: Is Ziaire Williams worth an extended look?
Photo Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL 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-GAMBL…
-
Report: Lakers Ownership Issues Are Slowing the Basketball Operations Rebuild
1 september 2026 · 38 min
It'll be a while before we know if the new ownership group led by Josh Kushner and Bob Iger will be a net positive or a net negative for the Lakers. We don't know how they'll spend money, or what they'll prioritize. Lees meer
But what we did know was that ownership upheaval had a chance to completely undermine a buildout of the basketball operations department that was already going a lot slower than Lakers fans had hoped for when the Buss family sold to Mark Walter a year and a half ago. Dan Woike at The Athletic made it clear in a report on Monday that the Lakers, who have already been turned down for a couple front office positions by potential hires, have essentially gone into a hiring freeze.
There's just not any action, whether higher up in the department, or in things like scouting.
So what does that mean?
Well, it's not good. But there is one silver lining — there's only so much the Lakers can do over the next few months, anyway. So if there was ever a time to be hamstrung, this might be it. But the longer this goes on, the more problematic it gets. So what kind of timeline are we looking at?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers front office is at a standstill.
SEGMENT 2: What does this mean for LA going forward?
SEGMENT 3: How long will all of this take?
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepodFanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions ap…
-
Would Bruce Brown Help the Lakers? And Who Should They Cut When the Time Comes?
31 augustus 2026 · 40 min
The Lakers lost out on Jonathan Kuminga last week (or dodged a bullet, depending on your POV) when the free agent forward went to Minnesota. But that doesn't mean they've stopped trying to fill out the roster. Jake Fischer, in his reporting for Bleacher Report, links LA to veteran guard/forward Bruce Brown, who was in Denver last year. Lees meer
Would he be a good fit with the Lakers next year? Just as critically, if he's not a great fit, would he be a better fit than anyone else they could find? And just as critically (again) would he be more valuable than the second player they'd have to jettison from the roster to make room for him? Keeping in mind that they already need to free up a spot as it is.
And it will have to come by either trade or release, because the waive'n'stretch deadline came and went this weekend without the Lakers making a move.
And then, who are the Lakers going to let go? The most obvious candidates are Bronny James, Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht. Jarred Vanderbilt may not a favorite of JJ Redick, but he would be a lot of money to eat, is an important salary ballast in a potential trade, and -- this matters -- is one of the only power forwards on the roster.
So who is first to go? Who would be next, if the Lakers need to cut two players, not just one?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers reportedly have interest in Bruce Brown.
SEGMENT 2: Would Brown be a good fit?
SEGMENT 3: Who should the Lakers let go when the time comes?
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Square
Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA !#squarepodFanDuel
College football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all …
-
ESPN Preseason Predictions: Will the Lakers Be the NBA's Most Disappointing Team?
28 augustus 2026 · 36 min
Every summer, ESPN issues it's preseason predictions. We hit on a few of them already, noting for example that the Lakers are predicted to win 45 games, and compete in that set of Western Conference teams either in, or narrowly avoiding, the play-in tournament. Lees meer
If they stay healthy, we think that's too low. But whatever.
A new batch of predictions dropped on Thursday, and ESPN's writers voted the Lakers are the team most likely be the NBA's biggest disappointment. Is that fair? Well, if ESPN's writers are correct about the win total, there will certainly be the belief that they had a disappointing season and took a step backwards. And at the least the Lakers like to project that championship or bust approach to every season, whether championship is realistic or not.
And this season, it's not, and isn't the goal. Sure, they'll try to win as much as possible. They hope to surprise. But the point of this offseason was to retool the team around Luka Donćić, the same Luka that ESPN projects will win another scoring title. What they don't think he'll win, though, is MVP. That prediction is related to the one about LA's win total.
But what if Walker Kessler, who doesn't get any DPOY love, anchors a Lakers defense that's better than expected. Or Austin Reaves elevates to clear All-Star, or even All-NBA levels? What if JJ Redick gets some Coach of the Year love?
If these things happen, it means the Lakers surely have won more than 45 games, and Luka's MVP candidacy gets a BIG boost.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers going to be the NBA's biggest disappointment?
SEGMENT 2: What are the right expectations?
SEGMENT 3: Luka and the MVP race.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why …
-
Jonathan Kuminga Goes to Minnesota, Jeanie Buss Goes to Court...
27 augustus 2026 · 38 min
Well, it looked like a slow news day until it wasn't. Lees meer
First, finally the Lakers (and everyone else) got a conclusion to the Jonathan Kuminga saga. He's going to Minnesota, agreeing to a two-year deal worth about $13 million, with a player option for the second year. He'll move into their exception space, try to play really well this season, opt out next summer and sign a genuinely big money deal somewhere else. That's the plan at least. Will it work? Who knows. But Camp Kuminga decided he'd ultimately make more money doing it this way than taking the 3 year, $36 million deal reportedly on the table from the Lakers.
Did LA lose out? Well, having Kuminga certainly could have helped, but the cost was higher for LA than Minnesota, because it wasn't just about the money, but what the Lakers would have to give up in order to make the space on the roster to bring Kuminga in. One second rounder? Two? If they had to raise their financial offer to Kuminga, that impacts their flexibility, and likely means having to send out more players.
At some point, the price is too high.
Meanwhile, Jeanie Buss is taking her siblings to court, in order to try and keep control of the Lakers, or at least the governorship she currently has, thanks to the family's near-18% stake in the team.
She says she's exercising her fiduciary duty to the family trust, and that the family members are acting out of school.
No matter how you slice it, it's a mess, one likely to annoy Lakers fans significantly, and severely damage Jeanie's standing with Lakers fans before it's over.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Kuminga chooses Minnesota.
SEGMENT 2: What's next?
SEGMENT 3: Jeanie sues!!!
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why y…
-
Kuminga Down to Los Angeles and Minnesota? What's One Thing Austin Reaves Can Improve?
26 augustus 2026 · 36 min
There are a couple players still rattling around the NBA, unsigned. Two have limited options but likely return to their current teams (Benedict Mathurin, Jalen Duren) and one is Jonathan Kuminga, who currently has no home. Lees meer
He does have suitors, though. Minnesota needs a forward and can sign him straight into their exception, but can't pay him as much as the Lakers, who would have to agree to contract terms and then figure out how to actually execute a trade. No easy task, given that the Hawks (who have no interest in bringing Kuminga back) already have too many players, and have zero need for anything the Lakers would be willing to offer. Are there enough other teams that would be incentivized by a second rounder? How many picks would the Lakers be willing to give up?
And that's all stuff that would assume that the Lakers decide that Kuminga is worth the assets, and could figure out a way to make Kuminga happy. Could they be willing to do a wink-wink nudge-nudge type deal where they sign him undermarket, then find a way to give a little boost after a successful first year?
Meanwhile, what about PJ Washington? He seems to think he's staying put. Which makes sense! Dallas isn't incentivized to trade him right now and should they ever get the itch, the Lakers are likely not going to have a package that outdoes other interested parties. That, by the way, is going to be a common theme for the next few years, which explains the continued interest in Kuminga despite some totally legitimate reservations. It's reasonable to wonder how much access they'll actually have to the most desirable options at that wing spot now and down the road.
Finally, answering a listener email, we're looking at something each player on the roster can do to improve for this season. We kick it off with Austin Reaves!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: A plan for Kuminga?
SEGMENT 2: What about Washington?
SEGMENT 3: What can Reaves improve?
Photo Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Image…
-
ESPN Grades the Lakers' Offseason. Does the Luka-Centric Rebuild Get High Marks?
25 augustus 2026 · 37 min
ESPN is out with a bunch of late-summer evaluations for teams around the league. It includes win projections (45, which they say will be sixth in the conference) along with an offseason grade (C+) and all kinds of other little interesting bits of information. Lees meer
First and foremost, while it's reasonable to think the Lakers took a little step backward because they didn't fully replace LeBron's production (even if you disagree, it's a defensible position) are they eight games worse, considering the upgrades at center and with better depth? Moreover, didn't other teams take some small steps back, too? Or potentially so? It's also fair to ask whether the Lakers are even being graded on the proper criteria. Did they make progress in stated goals? Yes, but you have to judge by what those goals are, right?
The story also gets into the biggest change to the roster composition, namely that the Lakers should have bolstered their bench, even if the starters get a hair worse. But the productivity gap between LA's starters and reserves last year was the biggest in the league, so closing that down will help JJ Redick considerably. And should the Lakers (sooner or later) find a starting caliber forward to drop into the lineup, not only will the disparity between last year's starters and this year's shrink, it'll make the bench better, too, by slotting guys into more appropriate roles.
Is one of those guys Jonathan Kuminga?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get graded by ESPN.
SEGMENT 2: Are they being dinged for the wrong stuff?
SEGMENT 3: Why the next player they add is huge.
Photo Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.
FanDuel
To…
-
Luka Dončić Is Showing the Lakers a Good Time in Slovenia (and Why That Matters)
24 augustus 2026 · 43 min
Turns out there's no real downside to being Luka Dončić's teammate, at least as it pertains to offseason team bonding trips. Lees meer
The Lakers, flown out to Slovenia on Luka's dime, are being treated to a first class tour of his home country. There has been golf and food and kayaking and clinics and workouts and more, all of it designed to bring the team together. Important to build chemistry with a very new group, no question. But also to help that new team learn more about Luka, who is stepping into an enhanced leadership role this season with LeBron James now in Philly.
It matters that the people being led understand who is doing the leading. And this trip plays a big role. Hopefully they can truly jumpstart the process of building meaningful cohesion. It'll be hard to quantify the impact, but it certainly won't hurt.
Meanwhile, player movement! Klay Thompson, connected to the Lakers in one way or another for years, is again... not coming to the Lakers. He's going to Miami to help bolster the Heat bench, and will get a two year deal with a player option for the second season that the Lakers couldn't offer, and shouldn't have even if they could. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan will try to stem the bleeding in Denver, agreeing to join the Nuggets on a one-year deal. He can't defend the way Peyton Watson does, but offensively is still a very strong player.
Finally, is Adam Silver ready to help figure out a resolution to the Buss Family Drama (which doesn't involve helping the sibs get along, but likely means getting them out of the ownership group)? And what does the Walter issue indicate about the problems the league has with owners in the age of franchise valuations in the multi-billion dollar range?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Fun with Luka in Slovenia!
SEGMENT 2: Klay in Miami, DeRozan in Denver.
SEGMENT 3: Ownership issues get tricky as valuations rise significantly.
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Inde…
-
Fantasies of Nikola Jokic Are Already Percolating In Los Angeles
21 augustus 2026 · 40 min
The Nuggets unloaded Peyton Watson in a deal on Wednesday that netted them a first rounder in 2031 and another second rounder. All of this despite Watson agreeing to a deal in line with market expectations, of four years and $88 million. Lees meer
So with the Nuggets in flux and Nikola Jokic currently not signed for the long term, it's of course time to start putting him in other jerseys. Lakers jerseys, specifically!!!
But while the fantasies are fun, they can also be destructive. In years past, the Lakers front office might put things on hold in order to make sure they had all the assets needed to make a run at an available star once his contract was up. That, of course, puts a damper on the team's ability to compete, either because moves are always for the short term, or because they simply aren't made at all.
The good news? The Lakers can't play that game right now, even if they wanted to. They don't have a cache of draft picks, no young players who would fetch a premium in return (not yet at least), and no cap space coming.
So the odds of Jokic coming here without... a lot of stuff having to happen... seem very slim. So the Lakers, whether with current or future ownership, can simply go about the business of trying to create a winner around Luka.
Speaking of leadership, Jeanie Buss reportedly would be interested in holding on to her governorship (which requires a 15% stake in ownership) by buying out her siblings. But would they sell? Where can she get the money? And even if she got it... why would Kushner and Iger let her keep that gig?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Jokic dreams!
SEGMENT 2: Bursting that bubble.
SEGMENT 3: Jeanie willing to maneuver?
Photo Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor … -
Peyton Watson Sent to Cleveland, Denver Gets Weaker, Helps Lakers in the Western Conference
20 augustus 2026 · 35 min
One of the last big pieces left to move in the NBA this offseason finally found a home on Wednesday, as Nuggets small forward Peyton Watson, once a rumored target for the Lakers, was flipped to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for ... nobody. A first and second round pick a few years from now. The only other human player of note in the deal (which expanded to five teams, enveloping last week's Dennis Schroder trade) was Max Strus, who actually went to the Clippers, not Denver. Lees meer
So the Nuggets continue to thin out this offseason, and while they're rumored to be working hard to bring in Demar DeRozan, who would help them, even if they do the team isn't as good right now as it was last year, and is relying on certain players with a VERY spotty health history to stay afloat.
All of this at a time when there's at least some question surrounding the future of Nikola Jokic. So all of this is obviously good for the Lakers, who have stayed about the same as the conference shifts around them, something that should benefit LA over the course of the season. Some of the "next tier" teams behind San Antonio and OKC just aren't as strong.
And, of course, this also influences the future of Jonathan Kuminga, since Cleveland was seen as one of the teams with interest in acquiring him. That leaves the Lakers as one of his only suitors, but as has been well established, that interest doesn't come at the price Kuminga wants to get. And even if they settle on a price, the Lakers would then have to figure out a way to complete a trade with Atlanta, who have 17 players under contract and no need for anyone the Lakers would trade them.
So great work by Kuminga's agent, here. Top shelf.
And finally, Luka is taking the Lakers to Slovenia! And it's a trip that could bode well for the squad's chemistry this season. At the least, it says something about how Luka is looking to lead the team this year.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Watson traded to Cleveland.
SEGMENT 2: Th…
-
How Buss Family Drama Could Impact Lakers Basketball, and Jeanie's Legacy
19 augustus 2026 · 41 min
The Buss siblings clapped back at Jeanie Buss in their argument over whether the sibs have the ability to force a liquidation of the family shares, and as we wait for a resolution that might be a while in coming, it's worth asking what comes next. For the sale of the Lakers, for Jeanie's role, for the current front office, the roster and more. Lees meer
One thing that becomes clear: The longer this -- meaning the sale of the team from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner/Bob Iger -- goes without a resolution, the worse it is for the Lakers (it makes it harder to hire people, make transactions, etc.). But it's also not good for Jeanie, because ultimately, it's very hard to see how she comes out ahead, even if she wins in court.
One way or another, it feels like then end of an era, but the question now is how much damage that end brings.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Buss siblings clap back.
SEGMENT 2: How this impacts the basketball end of things for the Lakers.
SEGMENT 3: What does Jeanie think she's going to "win" even if she wins?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.
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 FanD…
-
The Buss Siblings Try to Force a Sale of Their Remaining Shares, Which Jeanie Tries to Block
18 augustus 2026 · 39 min
Rather than cede the franchise sale drama to Mark Walter, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, the Buss siblings on Monday went full bore into doing what they do best—creating serious sibling drama. Lees meer
Early in the day, ESPN reported that the Buss family had voted to sell its remaining share in the Lakers, amounting to just under 18 percent.
Not long after, Jeanie's attorney released a statement calling that vote bunk, and saying the sibs don't have the legal authority to do it. Jeanie, as laid out by a 2017 court order, has a legal claim to her governorship that can't be eliminated by the sale of the team (which, interestingly, was the impetus for the sibs to take this latest vote to sell).
Who wins? The lawyers will sort it out.
The bigger and more important question is whether in the end, any of this really matters for Jeanie in terms of retaining her current gig.
Is any of this, especially if it comes through a very public, very unseemly and potentially protracted legal battle, ultimately going to matter to Kushner and Iger if they want her out (or, if nothing else, remove any teeth from her position). Because in the end, is 75 year old Bob Iger, who has tried for years to put himself in this position, seemingly wants to be out front for the franchise and unquestionably has the background in league affairs to represent the Lakers in league functions, going to just kick back and let Jeanie do stuff?
Is Kushner going to favor her over his friend and co-owner?
There's no good endgame here for Jeanie.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Buss family is selling. Or is it?
SEGMENT 2: Jeanie can't win.
SEGMENT 3: What are the practical impacts from Monday's events?
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your tea…
-
How (Yet Another) Dennis Schröder Trade Impacts Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers
17 augustus 2026 · 40 min
For the nine zillionth time since turning down a long-term deal with the Lakers, veteran guard Dennis Schröder is on the move, this time from Cleveland to Charlotte. Lees meer
The motivation for the Cavs is relatively simple - free up money to get James Harden resigned, and then try to add another player. Reportedly, that could be Peyton Watson (restricted FA, Denver) or Jonathan Kuminga, who has been rumored to be on the Lakers radar for so long at this point, it's reasonable to wonder if the radar is even working properly. But with this news comes a fresh round of Kuminga-or-not-to-Kuminga, because that, ultimately, is the question.
And when you start breaking down how a deal with Kuminga would have to look financially for the Lakers (this is before trying to figure out whether or not you could even make the trade to get him here), it's reasonable to wonder if this is a good idea.
Meanwhile, the dust continues to settle around the agreed upon sale of the Lakers from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger (and a bunch of other rich folks, TBD).
We walk through two of the biggest concerns about Kushner:
That he's a VC guy, and will be motivated primarily by bottom line issues and therefore won't be willing to spend to win.
That he's just not rich enough to compete with richer owners.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Reluctantly, back into the Kuminga waters.
SEGMENT 2: Why it's just a dicey idea.
SEGMENT 3: Is Kushner rich enough? Is the VC thing a problem?
PhotoCredit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.
Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.Wayfair
Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.
Wayfair. Every style. Every home.
FanDuel
…
-
Lakers Schedule Breakdown: Highlights, Lowlights, and Big Challenges Ahead
14 augustus 2026 · 22 min
In a normal offseason, the August schedule release is one of those signpost events that lets fans know the season is creeping closer. It's a fun chance to try and predict what's coming. Lees meer
Things never quite work out as predicted, but that's part of the fun.
Of course, this year, a certain blip in the news cycle has radically changed the subject for Lakers fans, who now wonder what's coming with the second ownership change in 15 months. But that doesn't mean the schedule didnt' come out! So we break it down. What are the highlights? The lowlights? The most challenging parts?
Start with the beginning. The Lakers are home-heavy, and get just about as tolerable an opening 18 game stretch as you could ask for. A couple games against elite squads, a couple against bottom feeders, and a bunch against potentially-solid-but-still-lower-tier Western Conference teams like Golden State, Portand and Utah. JJ Redick and his staff will have an opportunity to get a huge crew of new players acclimated, and because they see the same opponents multiple times (2x vs. GSW, 2x vs. Portland, 2x vs. Sacto, 3x vs. Utah) learn how different lineup adjustments can work against the same opponent which can be helpful with a new roster.
Things get significantly more challenging in the second half of the year, so that's tough, but the Lakers benefit from closing with a very home heavy schedule.
One that includes consecutive games against Minnesota (games 80 and 81) that could prove very, very significant.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Photo Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And …
-
How do Lakers Fans Feel About New Ownership? And Why the Sale Needs to Happen Quickly
14 augustus 2026 · 38 min
A drop was dropped on Lakers nation this week with the sale of the team from Mark Walter to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. Nobody saw it coming, not even (reportedly) the principals until last weekend. Lees meer
Lakers fans rightly feel like a rug pull has taken place, and not surprisingly, perhaps, that sentiment seems to be impacting how many are reacting to the news. A poll we put up on the show's YouTube page indicates real pessimism around the sale/new ownership, and a solid amount of angst amidst fresh uncertainty.
So as details continue to emerge around the why of the sale -- none of it sounds all that great for Walter -- the "what's next" is what matters to fans. And hopefully what's next comes relatively quickly. There is a lot -- A LOT -- that has to get done before this sale can be finalized and the team can start doing whatever it plans to do, whether around the front office, on the business side, or whatever.
And delays don't help the Lakers, they just keep the team in a state of semi-limbo, operating normally for most day to day things, but in a sort of limbo for other things. Candidates for front office jobs might hold off accepting offers if they think they could get replaced by new ownership. That's just one example.
Finally, does it matter that Bob Iger once identified as a Clippers fan?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: This sale could take a minute, which is bad for the Lakers.
SEGMENT 2: How are fans feeling?
SEGMENT 3: Iger's relationships.
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free t…
-
How Will LAKERS SALE to Kushner & Iger IMPACT Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka?
13 augustus 2026 · 37 min
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
-
Mark Walter Will Sell Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 Billion
12 augustus 2026 · 25 min
Well THAT was unexpected. Lees meer
After decades of family ownership, the Lakers will change ownership for the second time in less than a year and a half, with news breaking Wednesday that Mark Walter will be selling the team to a group led by venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney head Bob Iger.
The valuation is reportedly $12.5 billion, meaning Walter flipped the franchise for a tidy profit, having purchased 14 months ago for $10 billion.
So why now?
Theories abound. It could be related to Walter's health, having reportedly suffered a stroke in 2024 that has been challenging to recover from. It could be related to the federal investigation of his companies for insurance fraud. It could be Walter just doesn't love owning a basketball team in the same way he loves owning a baseball squad (he's keeping the Dodgers). Or it could be the aforementioned $2.5 billion.
We'll learn more with time, but in the here and now there are significant questions about what comes next. The Lakers are in the middle of a significant remodel, tied very closely to Walter's ownership of the Dodgers. What happens to all of that? How long will it take for this sale to go through, and for new-new ownership to put its stamp on the organization? Do they have a similar operating philosophy to what the Lakers presumably were getting, via the Dodgers?
It's a lot!
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.
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 sportsboo…
-
Luka Vs. Steph! The Lakers Vs. LeBron! Plus, How Much Pressure Does Donćić Face?
12 augustus 2026 · 36 min
The first bits of the schedule were released on Tuesday, and (no surprise) the Lakers play a big role in what the NBA now calls Opening Week, and then on Christmas. They're playing on what is technically the first night of the season, but then the Lakers will host the Warriors (another version of ______ vs. Steph!) and then on Christmas, the league has sent LeBron James back to the Crypt, like a big gift from Santa. Lees meer
Both games should be entertaining (it's always fun to watch Steph play) and while the lead up to LeBron's return has the potential to be completely insufferable, the actual X-Mas basketball should be great. The Sixers are a super-intriguing bunch, with all sorts of talent, and the Lakers have the potential to be pretty dynamic, themselves.
So while the NBA isn't exactly going out on any limbs, here, they did assign Luka and the Lakers a couple of good games.
More schedule coming on Wednesday (NBA Cup draws) and Thursday (full schedule release).
Finally, Kirk Goldsberry was on with Zach Lowe, and cited Luka as the player he believes is under the most pressure this year. The reasons he cites (which we pass along) certainly make sense, and the argument he makes is not far fetched. But is he right?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Luka vs. Steph! LeBron vs. the Lakers!
SEGMENT 2: What to expect on Christmas.
SEGMENT 3: How much pressure is Luka facing?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.
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 spo…
-
NBA Schedule Release Begins! Lakers Opening Day, Christmas Matchups Revealed!
11 augustus 2026 · 10 min
The NBA's annual slowplay of its schedule release began on Tuesday, and two of the marquee games will involve the Lakers. They'll open the season against Steph Curry and the Warriors (although not on the literal opening day, for the first time this decade), a matchup that's overly familiar. (Perhaps a bit too familiar for these purposes?) From there, the Christmas Day slate predictably includes a showdown with ex-Lakers LeBron James and the very new-look Philadelphia 76ers. Spicy matchups? Depends on what you're looking for. Big opportunities for the Lakers. Definitely. Lees meer
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.
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)
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…
-
Which Lakers Are Most Likely to Outperform Their Contracts? Or Underperform?
11 augustus 2026 · 37 min
The question of value is going to be a huge one for the Lakers this season. Especially in the context of which players provide more of it than their salary might suggest. Lees meer
So which guys are most likely to outperform their paychecks?
The obvious place to start is with the dudes making the least amount of money, but who still have a chance to play an outsized role for the team. Like this year's Marcus Smart. Think players like Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle, as vets playing on minimum deals, or Adou Thiero and Cam Carr playing on rookie scale contracts. But what about guys making a few nickels more?
Is Quentin Grimes a good candidate to exceed his salary? Certainly he will get a lot of minutes, and on this team will fill a critical role both as a secondary scorer and a guy expected to guard some dudes on the other end. How about Sexton and Mamu? And then there are the guys at the very top of the food chain. Luka has to be elite, and Reaves has to play like a $40 million player must.
But so much of this conversation starts to settle on Walker Kessler, the most controversial deal the Lakers issued this summer.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers need guys to overperform.
SEGMENT 2: After the minimum guys, who is next?
SEGMENT 3: The Kessler Kunundrum.
Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Odoo
Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitti…
-
Can the Lakers Contend Before Luka's Contract Expires? This Offseason Provides Clues.
10 augustus 2026 · 37 min
This question came in from a listener, TheStewPup at Kambrothers on Twitter: Lees meer
Given the team's lack of (positive) trade pieces, how long do you guys think it will take to turn the team into a true contender? Can they realistically do it before Luka's contract is up?
The answer is obviously really important, not just because they want to win, but because progress in that direction is what will help ensure they hold on to Luka after he (presumably) opts out of his current deal to sign an even bigger one, ideally with the Lakers. But while the Lakers made some big moves this summer, they're still not all the way there. That much is both clear and expected. So how do they cover the remaining ground?
A story from Bobby Marks on ESPN looks at how next year's offseason could shape up and the factors that will influence it. When you put it together, they could very well have been influenced to act aggressively this summer not only to respond to present needs, but also to anticipate future environments. There will be more teams with cap space. The free agent pool could be equally thin, but the Lakers could be working without this summer's draft capital, given that the one move they seemed sure to make was an aggressive play for a center.
So there are a lot of steps the Lakers need to cover, from nailing this offseason's pickups to using next year's space wisely to really hitting on young, cost-controlled talent.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Can the Lakers get good fast enough?
SEGMENT 2: Factors at play.
SEGMENT 3: Little ways the Lakers get better, to match the big ones.
Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting…
-
The Lakers Would Love to Get Players Like PJ Washington... But are the PJ Washingtons Available?
7 augustus 2026 · 37 min
The Lakers need to fill out their roster, and the biggest need is a forward with defensive versatility who can also shoot a little. Lees meer
Dallas forward PJ Washington seems to fit that bill.
But for this to work, the Mavs would have to want some stuff the Lakers could send them. That's a problem, given LA's relatively bare cupboard of assets. But even more problematic? Apparently the Mavs don't want to trade Washington anywhere. Can't acquire a guy who isn't available. And even someone like Klay Thompson may not be as available as speculated. The Mavs would certainly trade him, but reportedly don't want to buy him out. Probably because they think there's interest and if they're patient, the Mavs might get something in return.
We'll see. But as we open the mailbag, it answers one of the most common Q's we get, namely whether another big move is coming, or if this is likely the team we'll see open training camp.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have some spots on the roster that don't get much attention when talking about the rotation. Guys like Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, Bronny James and to a lesser degree, Jarred Vanderbilt. Dudes who take up roster spots and for one reason or another, aren't expected to play much, if at all.
Could any of them defy expectations? And if so, which one is the best bet?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers want players, but are players available?
SEGMENT 2: Are they likely to be the team they are now when camp opens?
SEGMENT 3: Could Knecht surprise?
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your jo… -
How Does Lakers' Offseason Stack Up Against the Rest of the NBA?
6 augustus 2026 · 34 min
The great David Aldridge at The Athletic has a review of the summer's activity around the NBA, ranking teams by how successful an offseason they had. That doesn't mean teams finishing higher are better overall, just that the offseason was relatively speaking more productive. The Lakers came in at 11th, which seems pretty fair, all things considered. Lees meer
On the one hand, you can argue that in raw terms, they might not be quite as good as they were last season (this is, more or less, a referendum on the impact of losing LeBron James, because there are areas where the Lakers have definitely improved, like at starting center). On the other hand, if you're trying to envision what a long term vision for the squad might look like in the Luka Doncic era, that's a lot more clear now. The Lakers are also a lot younger, and seem to have hit on their first round pick in Cam Carr.
Overall, there's a lot to feel good about!
Does Aldridge get his evaluation right?
The answer does in some ways get to a fairly pervasive criticism of Rob Pelinka's work, hsitorically and this season, about a proclivity for player options. Sometimes, they've been mystifying. This year? Maybe not?
Finally, Luka finished in the top 10 for NBA2K's 3-point ratings. This is cearly not meant to be a reflection of raw percentages or efficiency, because Doncic doesn't measure up in that regard. But swag? Audaciousness? That he's got in excess. So what was 2K factoring in? And what do things look like when you dig a little deeper into his percentages?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Athletic looks at LA's offseason.
SEGMENT 2: Why the Lakers gave away the contracts they did.
SEGMENT 3: Luka and NBA2K.
Photo Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and joi…
-
Is Luka Dončić Part of the Solution for the Lakers' Problem at Power Forward?
5 augustus 2026 · 36 min
The Lakers have a hole at forward. Most people think that hole is at power forward, more specifically. And no question, it would be great to fill it with a high end, versatile defender who also comes with a good skill set offensively. Scottie Barnes or OG Anunoby, or a top shelf defender/ball mover like prime Draymond. Lees meer
But of course, those guys are really, really hard to find.
And as the offseason moves along, it's more likely the Lakers will hold off on filling that spot until the season is underway, or the deadline, or even next offseason. So in the meantime, what do they do with what they have? Well, one thing to consider is the role of Luka Doncic. He is a force offensively who can make a lot of disparate parts work well together, as long as everyone understands his role. But he's obviously not a traditional point guard, because he's so flippin' large. So when people talk about that last starting spot, are they really just talking about defense?
How does Luka fit in?
Is what they need not so much a power forward, per se, but a versatile wing who can take on multiple matchups and allow the Lakers to slot players like Luka and Austin Reaves in more suitable ways?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Is Luka part of the solution?
SEGMENT 2: What do the Lakers need at PF?
SEGMENT 3: How versatility on D is much more important than skill on O.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcastCozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON… -
As Dallas Explores Trades, Is Klay Thompson a Solid Option for the Lakers?
4 augustus 2026 · 37 min
Maybe it's because his dad is a broadcaster for the Lakers, but Klay Thompson has been connected via rumors to the purple and gold for years. And now, at 36, he's reportedly on the trade block with the Mavs. Lees meer
So once again, the question is asked, how would Klay look on the Lakers?
He's a long way from the elite shooter/defender of his prime, but Klay still does have some utility as a high volume 3-point shooter (still around 40% pretty consistently), and given that he now plays off the bench, the expectations for his performance is much more in line with what he's capable of delivering. Plus, he's been relatively healthy over the last few seasons, meaning even at an elevated age, he's a decent bet to give the Lakers 70 games.
On the other hand, Thompson doesn't really fit the team's timeline, or positional need. He's not a piece that will help bring them significantly closer to the upper crust of the West, and would put bodies in front of players like Cam Carr and Adou Thiero. Is that someone the Lakers should be pursuing, if it's not directly addressing a position of need?
It gets to a core question - are the Lakers better off doing what they can to get the best player at, say, power forward, even if he's not a great fit or comes with question marks because he does more for the team RIGHT NOW, or should they hold off and try to find a player is a better fit long term, even if it causes some pain in the interim?
The answer to that question largely dictates whether the Lakers are essentially done with big swings this summer.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Dallas is shopping Klay, reportedly. Should LA bite?
SEGMENT 2: Logistics aside, what would Klay look like on the Lakers?
SEGMENT 3: Mr. Right, or Mr. Right Now?
Photo Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built…
-
Lakers Coaches, NBA Insiders Offer Breakdown of Luka Doncic's New Roster
3 augustus 2026 · 33 min
The Lakers had a very eventful offseason, leading to what could rightly be called a radical roster makeover. Whether you like, dislike, or remain undecided about Luka Doncic's new look running mates, one thing's for sure: Rob Pelinka and company were not content to sit on their collective hands and play things safe. Lees meer
But did they actually do a good job with their moves? NBA Front Office Podcast co-host Keith Smith has a new piece for Spotrac, compiling anonymous (and therefore candid) thoughts from Lakers assistant coaches and rival execs/scouts around the league on what they're expecting from this new team. What are the strengths? The Weaknesses? The potential.
Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
Segment 1 Do the players around Luka make sense?
Segment 2: Walker Kessler's importance.
Segment 3: New roster, better offense?
(Keith Smith's article: https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/3424/2026-nba-western-conference-summer-league-notebook)
Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast
Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.
Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.
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), 1-800-522-47…