Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

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 over time that he's doing the work. (This while acknowledging that he will always be a member of the skinny guy club.) 

For the Lakers, it's Step 1 in a long process of helping Carr develop into a quality rotation piece, which is something that simply has to happen after the team struck out on Jalen Hood Schifino and Dalton Knecht. 

So between Carr and the two-way players signed by the Lakers, fans will have some new faces to watch. 

Meanwhile, free agency kicks off in about 24 hours, and the Lakers are pretty quiet. Which is normal for them, but the fact that they seem on the periphery of so much of the conversation is a reminder of the narrow lanes available to them to improve. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

Photo: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

 

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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 made) but the Lakers don't have a ton of assets they can use for such things. They have potential cap space to use, sure, but a lot of players of their own they need to retain, which would eat into that flexibility. 

So they have a lot of different ways to skin the proverbial cat, but probably will only be able to fully leverage one of them. The rest will have to come with some very clever and prudent maneuvering. 

So some of the names out there -- Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler, Cam Johnson, Mamu (not writing that out until we have to) -- are they good targets? What about John Collins? Could the Lakers let Rui Hachimura go, if they thought there was a better option? How hard will it be to keep Marcus Smart? 

Plus, there doesn't seem to be a lot of talk between LeBron and the Lakers. Does that make it more likely he goes? We explain. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

SEGMENT 1: What's going on in free agency? 

 

SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers retain their own guys? Should they? 

SEGMENT 3: Cam Johnson and LeBron talk. 

 

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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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FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Lakers 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 different quality players, and would come at very different costs. But what are the Lakers planning on doing?

 

Especially given that they seem not to have talked up big change to fans, but to Luka Dončić as well?

 

What's the cost/benefit to Ayton picking up or turning down his option?

 

Plus, what are the Lakers going to do if LeBron really does slow play his free agency? Now that Austin Reaves is settled, are the Lakers trying to get a handle on what it'll cost to bring LeBron back? If they don't think it's possible, how can the Lakers replace him in ways that, even if they mean a small step back this year in talent, help set themselves up better going forward?

 

The Lakers need to create a roster that can move together going forward, because cap space isn't going to be available for a while once this offseason is done.

 

 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

 

 

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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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GametimeToday'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.

 

FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.

 

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 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, and the shooting is considered NBA caliber. But what about the rest of the skill set? Where did he grow in his year at Baylor? What's left to work on? 

To break it all down, we spoke with Cam Stuart, host of Locked On Baylor. He provided us a more in depth view that comes from seeing him play a season's worth of games. Does Stuart thing the Lakers got a potential steal? Can his defense hold up at the NBA level? Can his very thin frame put on NBA level strength, and handle the level of physicality required to thrive? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

SEGMENT 1: Who are the Lakers getting in Cam Carr? 

 

SEGMENT 2: Can the defense hold up? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Reaction! 

 

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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5-Hour ENERGY

Ignite your taste buds with the flavor of the summer. Get a Firework Freeze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today. For more information, visit https://FiveHourEnergy.com. 

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.  

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 LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.

 

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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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 make an offer) the Lakers needed to make sure they didn't lose him for nothing. 

Because whether this contract makes you happy or not, that scenario would have been a total disaster. 

Still, it has an impact on the team, and will certainly raise no shortage of questions about performance, team building and more. But for the time being, the Lakers did what needed to be done, and they now have a very, very clear idea of what types of players will need to be put around Luka Dončić and Reaves to shore up their shortcomings. (Which is code for defense.) 

Meanwhile, would LeBron request a sign and trade to finish off his career in Cleveland? If so, could that deal bring back a starting center? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

SEGMENT 1: More reaction to Reaves. 

 

SEGMENT 2: What this means for LA moving forward. 

 

SEGMENT 3: A sign and trade scenario that would please the Lakers. 

 

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!

5-Hour ENERGY

Ignite your taste buds with the flavor of the summer. Get a Firework Freeze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today. For more information, visit https://FiveHourEnergy.com. 

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

KALSHI

For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.  

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 LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel.Visithttps://FANDUEL.COMto get started now.

 

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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