Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers
Locked On Lakers is a daily podcast that provides in-depth coverage of the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosted by Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the team since 2005 for outlets like the LA Times, ESPN, and The Athletic, the show offers a mix of traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor. It delivers expert local analysis, insider scoops from the Lakers locker room, and updates on the biggest stories around the league. The podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
Episodes
LeBron James Joins 76ers! How will the Decision Impact the Lakers' Offseason?
LeBron James has chosen the Sixers. LBJ had already long been out the Lakers' door, so in that sense, it's kind of a formality. But on a practical level (business around the league may pick up again) and on an emotional level (LeBron's relationship with the franchise and fans was... to put it mildly... complicated), there are ripple effects. Andy Kamenetzky offers some quick immediate thoughts on
Matisse Thybulle Scouting Report! Lakers Getting a Defensive Chaos Agent?
The Lakers haven't yet officially signed Blazers free agent forward and defensive specialist Matisse Thybulle to a veteran's minimum deal, but that's only a formality. He'll be inked soon enough and expected to provide a true Three-and-D presence as, along with Ziaire Williams, part of a concerted recent effort to shore up the roster's wings. The real question isn't whether Thybulle is capable of
Are the Lakers Done Making Moves? Is Jonathan Kuminga the Only Significant Name Left?
The Lakers have undergone a massive offseason roster transformation, with three (at most) holdovers from last season's rotation. Lots of new faces. More long-term deals than in recent memory. All in the name of maximizing Luka Dončić's prime.
How good should Lakers fans feel about their team heading into this season, as is? And how would fans feel about their team after one more trade, which, acco
Can JJ Redick MAXIMIZE the Lakers ROSTER? Are Carr, Thiero PART OF A PLAN?
Unless the Lakers can pull what's become a very tricky rabbit out of their proverbial hat and figure out a complicated deal for a high-profile forward, the offseason's roster rebuild is more or less done. Make no mistake. It's different... way, way different. Younger. Faster. More athletic. More balanced. Less collectively experienced. Entirely retooled around Luka Doncic. And not without many lin
Ziaire Williams Scouting Report! Staying in Lane Equals Success for New Laker Wing
The Lakers have long needed more young players and promising wing defenders... and if possible, more young promising wing defenders. As such, it makes perfect sense that the Lakers inked a veteran's minimum deal with Ziaire Williams, a 24-year-old forward coming off a solid season with the Brooklyn Nets. At his best, Williams can provide strong defensive playmaking, reasonable defensive versatilit
Lakers Sign Defensive Ace Mattisse Thybulle! Who Will be Moved to Make Room?
The Lakers have clearly been pondering the defensive issues that remained evident after their initial wave of new roster additions. Yes, Walker Kessler and, to a lesser but still tangible degree, Quentin Grimes can be helpful along these lines, but in particular, too many holes along the perimeter remained. Well, over the last two weeks, Ziaire Williams was first signed, and then on Monday, news b
New Collin Sexton Scouting Report! Great Energy, Scoring. Shaky Defense, Decisions
During the 2025-26 season, the Lakers' bench, to put it generously, lacked scoring punch. Some of this was the byproduct of continual injuries, which kept someone like Rui Hachimura, arguably best utilized as a three-level scoring sixth man, in the starting lineup more often than not. Some of this was the byproduct of someone like Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent (pre-trade) not
New Walker Kessler Scouting Report! Can the new Lakers Center Handle Increased Scrutiny?
It cannot be overstated how much is riding on Walker Kessler's impending success and fit with the Lakers. It's not simply how much the team needs the skills the center brings, particularly on defense, where he's considered by many to be a budding All-Defense candidate. They also paid a handsome price (literally and asset-ally) to land Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz, who were not widely
Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero are Summer League Standouts. Ready for Lakers Rotation?
The Summer League Lakers are undefeated in Las Vegas, cemented by Thursday's 102-85 beatdown of the Chicago Bulls. Tournament play awaits, but in the bigger picture, could the stars of this team play actual roles with the big club? Who are the main characters in question?
First-round rookie Cameron Carr, whose three-level scoring, off-ball comfort, wingspan, and refined athleticism make him feel l
Lakers Still Targeting Jonathan Kuminga, but also Matisse Thybulle? (Guest: Jovan Buha)
The Lakers, in need of more depth along the wing, have reportedly been in talks with both the Atlanta Hawks and free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga about a potential sign-and-trade for at least a few weeks. But he's apparently not the only target in mind. Marc Stein reported that Matisse Thybulle, who's been linked to the Lakers in the past, is also on their radar. Which one is more gettable? Who'
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves' Leadership of Lakers' New Era. (Guest: Mike Trudell)
It's officially the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, and not simply because the roster was completely revamped with a goal of building properly around him. (Successful mission? Time will tell.) Doncic is now the franchise face operating without LeBron James (and for these specific purposes, Marcus Smart) as a leadership presence and voice. He, along with Austin Reaves (clearly also considered a fou
Mark Walter and Rob Pelinka's VISION for the Lakers, Luka. (Guest: Anthony Irwin)
The Lakers are now a year or so into the "Mark Walter era," which happens to coincide with the official start of "the Luka Doncic era." More than ever, all the decisions made about the roster and basketball will revolve around what's best for Luka. With all that in mind, what can be read into the offseason that includes...
A massive roster makeover...
New faces like Walker Kesler, Sandro Mamukelas
Lakers Offseason Breakdown! Can Walker Kessler Anchor Defense? (Guest: Trevor Lane)
The Lakers may not be done making moves this offseason, and if they have their way, likely won't be. But for the time being, given how they're over the cap, any future new faces will have to be added via trade. Either way, they're *close* to finishing their offseason retooling. And make no mistake, this was one heck of a facelift. One could even say radical. Only two remaining starters (Luka Donci
Lakers Scouting Report: Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton!
The Lakers have a LOT of new faces this coming season, with a rotation that's been radically overhauled. For better or worse? That remains to be seen, but were it to become a notable upgrade from 2025-26, it would mean that Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and especially Walker Kessler not just performed to expectations as new Lakers, but at least one (if not all of them) exceeded them.
With that
Lakers Sign Wing Ziaire Williams, Austin Reaves' Contract Lower than First Reported
The Lakers' offseason churn never stops... and in this case, that's a good thing!
On Monday afternoon, two pieces of positive news broke for the Lakers. First, the Lakers signed young Nets free agent wing Ziaire Williams to a one-year veteran's minimum deal. The L.A. product (high school teammates with Bronny James!) is young (24), long (6'9"), athletic (40-inch vert), and, most importantly, a w
Lakers Summer League Standouts. Carr. Thiero. Manon. And does Kaluma Deserve a Two-Way Deal?
The Lakers pick up their Summer League run in Vegas on Tuesday vs. the Clippers, and are looking to extend a thus far undefeated run in Sin City. Obviously, as is the caveat with all things "Summer League," it ain't the NBA, not everything directly translates at the Big Boy level, yada, yada, yada. But with that duly noted and acknowledged, several players are creating understandable excitement am
Lakers Now Operating Over the Cap. How will this Affect More Offseason Moves?
On Sunday, the Lakers announced the official signings of Austin Reaves and Collin Sexton, following a CBA-mandated order of operations that contains no surprises, but also cements them as a team operating over the cap, meaning any new additions of significance (short of a killer veteran's minimum signing) must happen via trade. This matters because the Lakers are both short on proven wing players
What Happens to Bronny James Now That LeBron Is Leaving? Plus, Kawhi Trade Weirdness!
The assumption among many fans now that LeBron is out the door is that Bronny is soon to follow, or should be at least, whether that's because the Lakers push him out (why bother with him now that dad is gone) or another team acquires him as part of their LeBron Recruitment Pitch.
But is that how this is going to play out? Should it be?
The Lakers aren't going to release Bronny, knowing he's gua
Do the Lakers REALLY Not Want PJ Washington (If He's Available)? If Not, Why?
First things first - there's no indication that Dallas forward PJ Washington is actually on the market, but his name pops up all the time and in theory, there are reasons the Mavericks might want to move off his contract.
In theory.
But let's say it's true. Would the Lakers, who badly need a starting caliber forward (which Washington definitely) is, really not want to take on Washington because,
Walker Kessler Is Officially a Laker, and Sign and Trade Talk Around Kuminga Grows
The Lakers started into their business this week making official what was unofficial before. Tuesday, it was the business of finalizing the trade to send Deandre Ayton to Washington, before the Lakers used up their cap space, thus making Jaden Hardy aggregate-able in a future trade.
The Lakers have also signed Mamu, and Wednesday, made the Walker Kessler trade official. What's notable about all o
Lakers to Sign Center Kevon Looney, Still Chasing Forward Jonathan Kuminga
The Lakers, having traded Deandre Ayton, badly needed to address the backup center position, and on Tuesday did just that, signing veteran Kevon Looney, known mostly for his time in Golden State but most recently with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Looney is an interesting addition, because he's definitely a veteran who can provide a voice and guidance for a team that is now extremely young. But at ne
With Rui Hachimura Gone, Who Do the Lakers Target? Plus, Why LeBron and the Lakers Broke Up
We learned Monday morning that Rui Hachimura will be heading to Inglewood to join the Clippers next season, on a two year deal worth $28 million (with the second season a team option). The Lakers had reportedly hoped they might be able to keep Hachimura around, but clearly he hasn't been a priority, given the number of players they've already brought in, and the fact that Rui has been extension el
Cameron Carr Looks Great In Summer League. How About Adou Thiero?
The Lakers need some wins in the draft and player development space after swings and misses on Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dalton Knecht.
Well, Cameron Carr looks like that guy, through two California Classic games, at least.
Carr has displayed the rangy, top shelf athleticism and excellent shooting skills (coming off screens, relcating, catch and shoot and so on) from beyond the arc. Needless to sa
Report: Rui Hachimura to Sign With Clippers, Two Years, $28 Million
As the Lakers reportedly try to open up the space to continue adding to what is currently a guard-heavy, wing/forward-light roster, there was at least some hope that they could find a way to bring Rui Hachimura back.
Well, that's not a thing anymore.
Reports on Monday have Hachimura moving crosstown to the Clippers, on a two-year, $28 million contract. Rui was definitely a fan favorite, and a tr
Scouting Report! What Does PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili Bring to the Lakers?
One of the big moves the Lakers made after the big Walker Kessler trade was to wrap up former Raptors PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili. The Georgian vet has been a darling of the analytics community for a while, but had a breakout year last season, showing chops as a passer, rebounder and energy-bringer. But enough to justify a four year, $52 million contract?
The Lakers hope so.
But is Mamu a power f
The Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards, Likely More Moves to Come
The Lakers are trying to open up enough space to bring in one more impact player this offseason, and started that business on Friday by trading backup center Deandre Ayton to Washington for guard Jaden Hardy (who is kind of incidental to this whole transaction), and two second round picks.
The Lakers also save about two million dollars, which will be very helpful both for the free agent Tetris on
Luka Dončić Reportedly Excited About Kessler, Lakers Still Looking to Add (Maybe Rui?)
The Lakers want to make fans happy, they always like the good vibes that come with approval from the media.
But the person they really need to make happy? That's Luka Dončić. And on that front, multiple reports indicate that Team Luka is on board with what the Lakers have done, and is very enthusiastic about the addition of Walker Kessler, which is obviously important because he's now part of thi
Are the Lakers Better With the Revamped Roster Than They Were Before?
Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton. These are the big names we know will be on the roster next year after a flurry of activity on Wednesday.
There's a lot to like about the new guys, starting with youth (Austin Reaves is now the oldest player on the team), offensive players who can put pressure on the rim, a defensive anchor in Kessler, multi-year contracts that
Kessler, Grimes, Sexton and Mamukelashvili: Good Moves to Revamp the Lakers Roster?
Tuesday's opening to NBA free agency was boring.
Wednesday was poppin'.
The Lakers got off to a fast start, coming to terms with Utah center Walker Kessler on the terms of a contract (4 years, $130 million), and the Jazz on the terms of a trade (two firsts, two pick swaps). Then they signed PF/C Sandro Mamukelashvili, SG Quentin Grimes and PG Collin Sexton. So that's the nuts and bolts of it unt
REPORT! Lakers TRADE FOR Walker Kessler, Will SIGN Grimes, Sexton, Mamukelashvili
It took a minute, but once things shook loose the Lakers VERY quickly reshaped their roster for the Luka Dončić era.
The massive piece of business (metaphorically and literally) was the agreement to acquire Utah center Walker Kessler, all 7'2", 245 lbs. of him, for a huge price. Two unprotected first round picks, two pick swaps. Otherwise known as basically everything they had that Utah would want
Free Agency Day 1: The Lakers Pitch Kessler and Duren, Connected to Grimes, Mamu
The Lakers started the day by losing LeBron James. That was, and remains, the biggest news of the day. And how this ends remains to be seen. There's still a chance the Lakers will want to help LeBron find a destination, in order to engineer a sign and trade that might bring back something (though temper your hopes) of value.
At some point, there will be time to think about the LeBron era, but for
Reports: LeBron James Will Leave the Lakers, Play Elsewhere in '26-'27. What's Next?
The marriage of convenience is no longer convenient. LeBron James informed the Lakers Tuesday that he'll be playing next season, but not for them, according to multiple reports. It means the Lakers get meaningful clarity going forward, something they've lacked in the last few years of the LeBron Era, but have a giant hole blown in their roster when it comes to competing in a Western Conference tha
Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler are Taking Meetings. Do the Lakers Have a Shot?
The market for restricted free agents is starting to heat up a little, and it starts with meetings! Both Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren are at least testing the market as free agency begins. Duren seems to be more in conflict with his current employers in Detroit than Kessler but both of them are taking meetings and considering offers.
Can the Lakers compete? Particularly if Detroit and Utah will
Cameron Carr Shines at Introductory Press Conference, Plus the Latest in Free Agency and Trades
In the long term, winning your first big press conference doesn't really win you much, but it was still a great introduction for Cameron Carr last week to the LA media. The newest Laker was enthusiastic, appreciative of the opportunity, and didn't seem at all overwhelmed. He understood the challenge in front of him, vowing to live in the weight room this offseason and promising people will know ov
NBA Free Agency Is Coming Fast... Are the Lakers Getting Squeezed Already?
Free agency is coming fast, and while the rumor mill is spinning on overdrive, the Lakers seem to be more on the periphery of things.
Now that doesn't necessarily mean much, but it gets to some of the challenges they face. It's a big offseason for them, but the quality of unrestricted free agents isn't great. There are potential trades out there to be had (including some that have already been ma
The Lakers Are Hunting for a Center. Any Progress? Plus... Managing LeBron's Deal
The Lakers are believed to be looking for a frontline center to pair with Luka Dončić. For that matter, they're reportedly interested in changing up most of the depth chart at center. The shakeup didn't start on Draft night, either with a trade or a pick. So what happens next? Names like Walker Kessler and Mitchell Robinson are still very much in the conversation, attached to the team. They are di
Scouting Report: Cameron Carr... Did the Lakers Get a Steal With the 24th Pick?
The NBA is percolating, with free agency kicking off next week. But for the Lakers, there is still a ton of interest in the guy they selected -- and actually seem ready to keep -- in Tuesday's first round of the NBA Draft.
Cameron Carr, a 6'5" guard out of Baylor, rocketed up the charts this season, his first as a full time, high-minutes player at the college level. The athleticism is top shelf,
Did the Lakers Make a Good Decision With Austin Reaves? Would LeBron Request a Sign-and-Trade?
More reaction from the news that Austin Reaves and the Lakers came to an agreement Wednestday that'll keep him in LA for the long term.
Final terms, 4 years, $185 million. It's a lot of money, more than the Lakers likely hoped they'd pay, or maybe even expected to. But with interest heating up (the Pistons being the team most widely reported to be making preparations to free the space required to
Report: Austin Reaves to Sign 4 Year, $185 Million Contract With Lakers
On Tuesday, the Lakers gave fans a lot to cheer about, moving up a spot to draft hyper-athletic, sweet-shooting guard Cameron Carr out of Baylor. That was generally quite well received.
Wednesday, in a significantly more important piece of business, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Lakers had agreed to a four year, $185 contract with Austin Reaves, which will be signed near the end of the
Lakers Trade Up, Draft Baylor Guard Cameron Carr With 24th Pick
A lot of folks were expecting some zig, but the Lakers definitely delivered some zag.
And after sending some cash to James Dolan's New York Knicks to bump up one spot in the first round, the Lakers selected 6'5", 21-year old guard Cameron Carr out of Baylor with their pick. Broadly, the expectation was that LA would select a big, or failing that, a more prototypical wing player, given some of the
BREAKING: Los Angeles Lakers To Get Cameron Carr in Trade with New York Knicks
The Los Angeles Lakers received Baylor guard Cameron Carr from the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Has the Market Been Set for Austin Reaves? What Will the Lakers Do With Rui Hachimura?
The Lakers have some hard choices to make as they try and put a winning team around Luka Doncic, and one of the biggest is how to bring back Austin Reaves (which they need to do, short of using Reaves essentially to find his replacement, which feels like a long shot) but do so at a number that they're happy with. And more importantly, provides the type of flexibility to fill other important needs
Did Big Promises to Luka Put the Lakers on the Clock? Plus, Giannis Traded!!!
The NBA Draft is Tuesday, and the Lakers will certainly have some big choices to make, whether they trade the pick or use it. And Tuesday also is a reminder of the incredible stakes that have been put on this season, not just by fans and media, but by Rob Pelinka and the front office. After all, he's been noting pretty consistently that this is the spot the Lakers hoped to be in, and that this sum
More Draft Talk: Should the Lakers Target Best Fit, or Best Talent? Plus, Sleepers and Front office Issues.
In Monday's big episode with NBA/Lakers Draft expert Mike Garcia, we covered a lot of ground, including where things stand in the front office, how the Lakers are preparing (or aren't preparing) for this Draft and offseason, what qualities they ought to value, and more.
In our bonus show with Mike, we unpack a few more things, starting with the question of whether the Lakers would be better off d
Draft Preview with Mike Garcia: Who's the Best Fit at 25? What Should the Lakers Look For?
In Monday's big show, we cover a ton of ground with Draft expert Mike Garcia (@canyondriver), a huge favorite among Lakers fans for his incredible Lakers-focused coverage.
Mike not only walks us through his views on some of the players most frequently mocked to the Lakers at 25. Players like centers Tarris Reed Jr., Henri Veesaar and Zuby Ejiofor, and then another higher upside, higher risk playe
Who Should the Lakers Select With the 25th Pick in Tuesday's NBA Draft?
There's a lot of pressure on the Lakers to improve this offseason, and that process begins in earnest on Tuesday with the NBA Draft. The Lakers have the 25th pick, and after their last two first round selections (Jalen Hood-Schifino, Dalton Knecht) have not panned out, it's critical they get this pick right.
What exactly does that mean?
Should the Lakers go after the best available talent? A cen
Luka Dončić Says This Offseason Is Critical. Plus... Is LeBron Bringing Kevin Love?
The Lakers have been pumping the importance of this offseason for a while, in part (one might argue) because they hoped to change the subject after a series of underwhelming trade windows.
Well, now we're here and the hope was the Lakers would be filled with options, and the world would be their oyster. Things look a little more complicated than that, but nonetheless people expect big things. Peo
Is Walker Kessler Clashing With the Jazz? Would That Open the Door for the Lakers?
The Lakers have been linked to Jazz center Walker Kessler in one way or another for a couple of seasons. None of it made a lot of sense, given that Kessler is young, good, fits Utah's timeline and was under contract. Meaning there was zero reason for the Jazz to trade him, and especially not to the Lakers.
Now, though, Kessler is reaching restricted free agency, and it's time for Utah to have to
The 10 Most Impactful Lakers Moments of the Last 10 Years
The Locked On Podcast Network is Celebrating it's 10th birthday, and to kick things off, we're bringing you our list of the 10 most impactful moments of the last 10 years.
It includes a lot of hirings and firings, surprise resignations, critical trades and monumental signings.
There are incredible highs, including a title during one of the most disruptive societal moments a great many of us have
Are Other NBA Teams Preparing to Make Big Offers to Austin Reaves?
It's generally believed that the Lakers want to bring back Austin Reaves, which is great because Austin Reavess wants to come back to the Lakers. And no question, beyond the mutual admiration, a lot of the speculation that returns Reaves to the Lakers has been built around the idea that when it comes down to it, the market for Reaves around the league just won't be that strong. There aren't that m
What Can the Lakers Learn From the Knicks Winning an NBA Title?
The Knicks have knocked off the Spurs, putting an exclamation point for the ages on the 2025-26 NBA season.
And with the conclusion of the year, it's time for a time honored tradition: drawing conclusions and trying to get some lessons about what you need to win a title in this league. Every year, it's easy to react to the team that just won, but is that the best approach? After all, New York bec
Can the Lakers Build the Team Now, While the Front Office Is Under Construction?
The Lakers are simultaneously trying to build next year's team, and the franchise long term.
On Friday's big show, we spoke with Khobi Price of the California Post about the progress, or potential lack of progress, the Lakers have made replacing some of the front office personnel (think scouts) that are critical to the pre-draft process. And what about the infrastructure of basketball brains tha
Is the Lakers Front Office Ready for the Offseason? Who's Doing What?
The Lakers are simultaneously undertaking two projects that have some overlap in the Venn Diagram, but aren't entirely aligned. First, they have to think about how to build a winning team around Luka Dončić as quickly as possible, putting enormous pressure on this offseason to be quite excellent. Second, they're engaged in a long-term project of building out the basketball operation and the franch
A Stunning Game 4 Comeback in New York, and an Intriguing Hypothetical Sign and Trade
Well that was insane.
Down by as much as 29 points, the New York Knicks capped off one of the greatest comebacks in modern sports history, pulling ahead for good on an OG Anunoby tip with 1.2 seconds left for a (to say the least) improbable Game 4 win. Now up 3-1, they seem to have a very strong hold on the series as it returns to San Antonio for Game 6.
And for San Antonio, basically the only w
Projecting the Lakers Offseason: What Kind of Risks are Good Risks?
The Lakers have a lot of work to do this offseason, and as today's guest Raj Chipalu of Lakers Today notes, they're going to need to compress what normally is a few cycles of team improvement windows (trade deadlines, summertime) into a shorter amount of time if they want to catch up quickly to the leaders atop the West.
So what does that look like in practice?
We continue our offseason makeover
What Does the Ideal Lakers Offseason Look Like? Guest, Raj Chipalu!
The Lakers have a million different directions they can go this offseason, even without having tons of tradable contracts or massive amounts of draft capital. Want to create more cap space? Let guys like LeBron and Rui Hachimura go, and Luke Kennard while they're at it. Want to (more or less) run it back? That's easy enough to facilitate. Maybe Austin Reaves stays, and LeBron goes?
So when you th
Mitchell Robinson Linked to Lakers. Better Backup than Jaxson Hayes?
The Lakers have to figure out what their priorities are this offseason, because they may very well have to choose between different needs.
Is it the wing?
More bench depth?
A center that really matches well with Luka Dončić?
The answer is yes to all of them, and where the Lakers go depends in part on the best player available at each position. Even if you think they'd be better off with a cent
Karl-Anthony Towns, Austin Reaves, and the Challenge of Being the 2nd Best Player
Karl-Anthony Towns is having a moment.
After years of being seen in some circles as not quite good enough to be a critical piece on a winning team, KAT has had an incredible postseason, as the Knicks continue a pretty historic run of playoff dominance. It's not that he's never been good in the postseason before (he has) but he's never been THIS good. And who knows, may never be this good again.
What if Austin Reaves Wants the Max? Could the Lakers Lose Reaves AND LeBron James?
For much of the year, the expectation was that LeBron James wouldn't be back next season, but Austin Reaves would. Then the vibes (and the results) shifted, and it seemed like both would be back. Now, it looks like James is a little more iffy, but the assumption remains that the Lakers will re-sign Reaves.
But Brad Turner of the LA Times, speaking on Spectrum Sportsnet (the Lakers TV home) said t
Do the Lakers Really Want LeBron Back? Can They Really Afford to Let Him Go?
The Lakers are in a bind. It doesn't seem like they are clamoring for LeBron James to return... but they also may not be able to afford to let him go. James, for his part, has decisons to make. What does he value most next year? Is it a paycheck that aligns with his value? The best chance to compete for a title (all of it being relative)? Proximity to his family? The most comfortable atmosphere, w
Should Lakers Keep Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard? Is Trading for Isaiah Joe an Option?
A look at the Lakers' potential free agents Marcus Smart (player option) and Luke Kennard (unrestricted free agent). Smart proved to be an indispensable defender and culture setter for the Lakers, one that's definitely worth more than the $5.4M deal he can decline. Were Smart to hit the open market, there would be competition for his service. How much, and for how many years, can/should the Lakers
More Potential Lakers Trade Targets: Could Christian Braun be a Smart Gamble?
Hey, the NBA Finals are here, and we react to Game 1, including shout outs to some well-liked former Lakers.
And from there, it's a continuation of Wednesday's discussion of potential trade targets for the Lakers, given some of the limitations in the free agent market (i.e. less flexibility than advertised, and a weak free agent class overall). Wednesday, we talked about potentially available Pel
Trey Murphy III? Herb Jones? Jalen Suggs? Who Could the Lakers Target in a Trade?
The Lakers could try to improve the roster this offseason primarily through free agency, which is a path they've certainly hyped up but also might not yield all that much fruit, given that the cap space accessible from a practical standpoint isn't nearly as large as some of the rosier projections might imply. Moreover, there aren't many good unrestricted free agents, anyway.
So what about the tra
Are the Lakers Better off if Deandre Ayton Picks Up or Declines His Player Option?
The Lakers would like to upgrade at center. That much has been made pretty clear. Certainly Lakers fans would like to see the same thing.
The complicating factor is Deandre Ayton, and his player option for next season. Ayton made about $8 million this year, and will make similar money next year. It's certainly possible he reads the market and decides there's a longer term deal out there, but nobo
Can the Lakers Keep LeBron and Reaves and Still Upgrade the Roster?
The Lakers are trying to build a team around Luka Dončić that can push the Spurs and Thunder at the top of the conference next year.
The Lakers are trying to build a team that can win in a sustainable fashion around Luka. They're trying to get younger, to get more athletic, to add better centers, better wings and better depth. In short, they're trying to do a lot of things at once, and don't nece
How Much Money Is Too Much Money for Austin Reaves?
The Lakers have some hard choices to make this summer. And while the idea of bringing back Austin Reaves isn't necessarily one of them -- unless a better alternative presents itself, a relative long shot, the Lakers don't have any viable way to replace Reaves if he goes -- there could very well be some uncomfortable conversations about how much it costs to get the deal done.
Tim Bontemps of ESPN
What the Western Conference Finals Can Teach the Lakers This Summer
The Lakers have a challenging offseason coming, nobody doubts that. But did the just-finished Western Conference Finals provide any type of guide for how they should approach it?
After all, the "forget it, we're all cooked" dynasty that was supposed to be the Oklahoma City Thunder ended in a year... but then again, it wasn't so much because the Thunder did anything to take steps backward (other t
How the NBA's New Lottery and Anti-Tanking Rules Impact the Lakers
The NBA put out its long-awaited rules designed to curb tanking through lottery reform. The rules are a little complicated, and include provisions that not only flatten lottery odds -- out is the old system of tons of ping pong ball combos, in is the 3-2-1 system where teams get (wait for it) three, two or one ball each. Next year, though, we'll see new wrinkles like a "relegation zone," where the
Mailbag! Could Pelinka's Best Move be to Kick the Can Down the Road, Again? Is Kawhi an Option?
The Lakers have a lot of work to do this offseason, and have neither a great range of tools at their disposal, nor a great group of free agents who might be available to sign. And after being promised some significant action this offseason, many fans are noticing the potential issues, here. And that leads to our mailbag questions for today from @socioisbackapparently661 and @ScottSemple-vr2qo, bot
Peyton Watson? Tari Eason? Robert Williams III? What Players Should the Lakers Chase?
The Lakers have to figure out how to resign their own key free agents, starting with Austin Reaves and (probably) LeBron James, and moving on to (probably) Rui Hachimura. But to improve the team, they're going to have to find some new guys, too. They can't just run it back and expect a different result. (Especially after selling the Bold Summer of '26 to fans for a while.) So at the least, the Lak
JJ Redick Gets Some Coach of the Year Love... Did He Improve in Year 2?
On Tuesday, JJ Redick got three third place votes for NBA Coach of the Year, which is actually a couple fewer than he received in his first season as Lakers head coach. So two years as a coach in the league, two years finishing on the COY table. Pretty good!
So two big questions: Did JJ (and by proxy the Lakers) get the credit he deserved? And how did Redick improve from Year 1 to Year 2?
Lakers
Does LeBron-to-Cleveland Become a Bigger Possibility after Cavs are Swept?
While the Lakers are still probably the most likely landing spot for LeBron James this summer, there are other franchises that certainly make sense as a destination, even if the fit isn't perfect. Golden State to play with Steph and Draymond, and have that experience. New York, because he's LeBron and it's New York, a basketball institution he's always admired. The Clippers, if he wanted a change
Lakers Make Big Addition to Basketball Operations, Luka Makes 1st Team All-NBA
The Lakers under new owner Mark Walter have promised to make significant additions to the organization, especially on the basketball operations side. That process started over the weekend with the Lakers adding former Pelicans executive Rohan Ramadas as an assistant general manager. He served as a VP of strategy and operations for New Orleans and will likely serve a similar role here, working to r
How Much Should the Lakers Pay for Free Agents (Including Their Own)?
It's a thin free agent year, this everyone knows. And unfortunately, two of the best among current free agents are their own (LeBron James, Rui Hachimura. There are some other names floating around out there, but while the narrative sometimes makes it sound like they've got cap space to spare, the reality of its LA actually has a relatively narrow window into which they can fit in potential free a
LeBron James Looks Ahead to the Summer, Calls This Season a Success
LeBon James spoke with Steve Nash for ther Mind the Game podcast on Thursday, and needelss to say it was of great interest to the Lakers and their fans.
A couple things grew more clear over the course of the conversation. First, LeBron will not be rushed into any decisions about his future. He's currently getting ready for a family vacation, and said he's not going to start thinking about next ye
The Athletic's Player Tiers Show the Lakers Don't Have Enough Top Level Players
The Western Conference Finals are, understandably, creating angst around the league, including among Lakers fans. Why? Because pretty much everyone is watching the Thunder and Spurs thinking, "We're not nearly as good as they are."
And considering both teams might not be done improving (especially San Antonio) the existential crisis is warranted.
Law Murray at The Athletic has been publishing hi
How Mark Walter Plans to Modernize the Lakers, and How Rob Pelinka Might React
Perhaps the most significant difference between this offseason and the last half-decade of offseason isn't the pressure to improve -- although that's a pretty big factor -- it's the change in ownership.
It's the first where a member of the Buss family isn't a primary owner of the team. And under Mark Walter, there is an expectation that the way the team operates is going to change significantly.
Can the Lakers Make Real (and Needed) Improvement at Center?
Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes were, in the aggregate, more good than bad over the course of this season, at least relative to what they were being paid. But unless you think the Ayton the Lakers got over the last eight weeks of the season will be the Ayton they get over 82 games next year -- which would definitely be a nice bargain for eight mil or so -- the Lakers definitely could use an upgrade
Rich Paul Says LeBron is Generating Interest from Contenders. Why That's Good for the Lakers
The arc of LeBron James with the Lakers over the last nine months or so has been quite interesting, from the moment he picked up his option but neither side seemed (at least for the public) to be interested in a contract extension.
There were comments from Rich Paul about monitoring the situation, and then about the supporting cast, and (relative to his standard) poor play from James when he came
How Can the Lakers Close the Gap Between Them, San Antonio and Oklahoma City?
The Lakers -- and every other team in the West and the NBA more broadly -- have a problem. As we all saw in Game 1 of the Conference Finals Monday between the Thunder and San Antonio, these are two teams that are not only incredibly good right now, they're poised to stay incredibly good for a while. Or even continue to get better. (Wemby, Steph Castle and Dylan Harper are 22, 21 and 20, respective
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