Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

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 lingering questions.

Can Walker Kessler anchor the defense to become better than it appears on paper?

How quickly can this group jell?

Are there opportunities for unproven but intriguing players like Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero? And will JJ Redick let them learn on the job?

For answers to these questions and more, Andy talked with Raj Chipalu.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Raj Chipalu (Silver Screen and Roll, Offsides App)

Segment 1: How good can the new Lakers roster become? 

Segment 2: Different defensive scheme? Roles for Carr, Thiero? 

Segment 3: More on the younger players, and the defense.

 

Photo Credit:  Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

 

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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 versatility, and made threes off open looks, all while operating at high energy. At his worst, Williams can fall prey to messing with an offense's flow while trying to show more shot-making than he's capable of.

Or, in the case of these Lakers, what's even needed of him.

Can Williams play to his strengths and become a star in his lane? Andy Kamenetzky breaks down the pluses and minuses with Erik Slater, the host of Locked On Nets, who also covers the team and the NBA at large for Clutch Points.

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with Guest Erik Slater (Locked On Nets, Clutch Points)

Segment 1: Matisse Thybulle's health issues, offensive improvement

Segment 2: Thybulle's defensive prowess

Segment 3: Someone has to get moved to make room for Thybulle

Photo Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

 

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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.

 

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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 broke that the Lakers brought two-time All-Defense member Matisse Thybulle aboard.

 

On the plus side, Thybulle can be an elite on-ball defender and defensive playmaker who also offers good three-point shooting. A true 3&D presence, which all teams covet. On the minus side, Thybulle gets hurt. A lot. Enough that he may have to play limited minutes or even games to keep him healthy come playoff time. This will require excellent planning by the coaching staff and excellent work by the training staff. Still, it's a veteran's minimum deal for a player with a high floor and an established calling card. At worst, it's no harm, no foul at the price, and with a lack of better options. At best, Thybulle provides a lot at a low cost.

 

Either way, he puts the Lakers' roster at 16 guaranteed players, and you can only carry 15. Someone's gotta go.

 

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

Segment 1: Matisse Thybulle's health issues, offensive improvement

Segment 2: Thybulle's defensive prowess

Segment 3: Someone has to get moved to make room for Thybulle

 

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-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

 

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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.

 

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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 being a reliable enough source of points when given the rock. Some of it was the byproduct of someone like Jaxson Hayes being effective around the rim, but with no real moves beyond a lob dunk.

 

All of it, however, became a difficult problem for the Lakers to negotiate.

 

This season, Collin Sexton should alleviate that problem. The combo guard has proven himself a certified bucket getter during his eight years in the league. Whether he can play good enough defense and, more importantly, make good enough decisions will be the difference between him being a valuable addition or one that takes as much as he gives.

 

To learn more about Sexton, Andy talked with David Locke (Locked On Jazz, Jazz radio broadcast team) to get the rundown on Sexton's strengths, weaknesses, and unpredictability.

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest David Locke.

 

Photo Credit: Petre Thomas-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

 

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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), 1-800-522-4700 (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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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 expected to let him leave. Two first-round picks. Two first-round swaps. Plus, four years, and $130M, all guaranteed, with a fourth-year player option.

In other words, the Lakers went all-in on a big man they've clearly coveted for a few years. If they're right, then a big piece for trying to maximize the Luka Doncic era has been solved. But if they're wrong.... whoo, boy. They could be in a spot of trouble and stuck with few outs to fix their mistake.

To talk more about Kessler's strengths, weaknesses, and mindset, Andy talked with David Locke (Locked On Jazz, and part of Utah's radio broadcast team). In particular, the question of how Kessler will handle the increased attention, stakes, and scrutiny of being a Laker was of great interest.

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest David Locke

 

Segment 1: Kessler's defensive impact

Segment 2: Kessler's offensive skills

Segment 3: Kessler in a brighter spotlight

 

Photo Credit: Peter Creveling-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.

 

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.

 

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), 1-800-522-4700 (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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