Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Look, we live in a cynical world, where it's easy to focus on the downside of things. That's especially true when talking Lakers fandom, given the championship expectations that frame every season.

But while there is joy in complaining for some, a lot of sports is about finding reasons to believe, even when belief is tough to muster. But while it might be too much to say the Lakers should be considered legitimate title contenders, it's not crazy to believe there are legitimate reasons to be optimistic. A partial list:

The Big Three: The Lakers have won 33 games without their three best players sharing the floor for any meaningful amount of time. Having them (presumably) healthy down the stretch not only injects significant levels of talent into the rotation, but also moves supporting players to more appropriate roles and allows JJ Redick more combinations to use.

Deandre Ayton. He has been bad for the last month. But he hasn't been bad all year, and the return of Luka and Reaves to full health will help him. Additional floor spacing provided by Luke Kennard will help him. And the potential to have his role offensively re-established will help him, and the Lakers alike. All of this is possible.

The Kennard Effect. The Lakers need to make their defense better by making their offense better. Kennard legitimately changes the spacing of the team and the defenses they'll oppose. That he can put the ball on the floor a little will turn some knobs in how effective the team can be, and it's also worth noting that Kennard hasn't had a chance to play with Luka.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Quo

Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba.Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers.

5-Hour ENERGY

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Gametime

Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals.Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started. 

 

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Among the many things reported by ESPN's Dave McMenamin in his story about the Lakers as they emerge from the All Star break is this nugget about alignment between Luka Dončić and the front office on the plan to improve the roster.
"A source familiar with Doncic's thinking told ESPN that L.A.'s deadline approach with "adherence to discipline" and focus on the "long-term picture" was supported by the 26-year-old star. He has not pushed the team to add a superstar-level co-star for when James is no longer on the roster," McMenamin writes.
On the one hand, all of this is good. If Luka was already starting to get publicly antsy, that would be a terrible sign for where things stood between him and the Lakers. On the other hand, has Luka (or Team Dončić) expressed anything beyond what you'd expect? Not really.
So where do things really stand?
Finally, the Lakers are in a strange position of having been high-to-very-high in the Western Conference standings without anyone having a bunch of faith in the team's ability to do anything of substance in the playoffs. Are they being undersold?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT

 1: The Lakers and Luka - on the same page?
SEGMENT 2: What does a low-key Luka really mean?
SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers being undersold?
 
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

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Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba.Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers.
5-Hour ENERGY
Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon.
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
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals.Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started. 
 
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Athletic's Dan Woike reports that Lakers president of business operations Tim Harris informed staff Tuesday that this will be his final season with the organization. Harris has been with the Forum and the Lakers for 35 years, so it's reasonable to view his departure as a normal thing someone does after being in one spot for that long. 
On the other hand, it's also reasonable to wonder if his departure is related to the purchase of the Lakers by Mark Walter. Whether yes or no, it still represents a massive change inside the org that has had a very, very small inner circle. 
So while Harris may very well have been more involved in what people might consider "basketball" decisions than the average prez of business ops, he's still not par tof the org fans point to when they clamor for changes. Fans, after all, generally think they business side operates fine, if they think about it at all. 
So will changes come for the basketball side? Probably, but how fast? And in what form? And will they come fast enough to make a significant impact on a critical summer for the team? 
 
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!
Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. 
Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. 
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba.
Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers. 
5-Hour ENERGY
Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon.
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
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals.
Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started. 
 
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 advertising.

The Athletic's Dan Woike reports that Lakers president of business operations Tim Harris informed staff Tuesday that this will be his final season with the organization. Harris has been with the Forum and the Lakers for 35 years, so it's reasonable to view his departure as a normal thing someone does after being in one spot for that long.
 
On the other hand, it's also reasonable to wonder if his departure is related to the purchase of the Lakers by Mark Walter. Whether yes or no, it still represents a massive change inside the org that has had a very, very small inner circle.
 
So while Harris may very well have been more involved in what people might consider "basketball" decisions than the average prez of business ops, he's still not par tof the org fans point to when they clamor for changes. Fans, after all, generally think they business side operates fine, if they think about it at all.
 
So will changes come for the basketball side? Probably, but how fast? And in what form? And will they come fast enough to make a significant impact on a critical summer for the team?
 
 
 
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!
 
Turbo TaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.
 
QuoMake this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba.Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers.
 
5-Hour ENERGYHave your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon.
 
IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast
 
GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
 
FanDuelUse your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals.Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started. 
 
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 advertising.

The mission is clear for the Lakers this summer: Build a team that fits Luka Dončić not just for next season, but ideally two or three seasons beyond that. It won't be an easy task, because while the Lakers will have plenty of potential cap space to play with, they'll also have a ton of roster spots that need filling and not a ton of appealing free agents to spend money on. 
There are always trades, but while (at least around the Draft) they'll have some picks to offer, they won't have many players to include in trades. 
It's a tricky siuation for Rob Pelinka to navigate. And oh by the way, there's the LeBron James question as well. Reporting from Dave McMenamin of ESPN on Tuesday indicated the Lakers would welcome him back next season. It was exactly the sort of anodyne, non-committal language you'd expect from a front office looking to avoid headlines. (They don't do LeBron any favors, either.) 
But in an interview with CNBC, Jeanie Buss seemed to indicate (perhaps accidentally) that the Lakers aren't expecting him to return. 
So would it even make sense? Is there a scenario in which it actually benefits both sides to have LeBron back next year? 
 
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
 
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers send mixed signals on LeBron. 
 
SEGMENT 2: What do they actually think? 
 
SEGMENT 3: Would it even make sense to have him back? Could it work? 
 
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!
Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. 
Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. 
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba.
Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers. 
5-Hour ENERGY
Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon.
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
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Use your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals.
Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started. 
 
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 advertising.