Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

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 foundational piece), will need to grow even more as culture setters and examples for accountability, beyond just increasing their voices.

 

(JJ Redick, who's already established himself as excellent at coaxing buy-in from players, will need to hone that skill even more.)

 

What have Doncic and Reaves been like as leaders to this point? To discuss this and other topics, Mike Trudell (Lakers TV sideline reporter for Spectrum Sportsnet, ESPNLA 710) swings by to offer his insights as someone who travels with the team and sees the Lakers' two stars on a day-in, day-out basis.  

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Mike Trudell

 

Segment 1: What are Luka and Austin like as leaders?

Segment 2: The new roster

Segment 3: More on the new Lakers, plus JJ's ability to get buy-in.

 

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

 

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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 Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Ziaire Williams...

Younger...

Potential offensive juggernaut...

Potential defensive vulnerabilities...

 

But more than anything else, it all reflects a new era for the Lakers as a franchise. To break down what it may all mean, Anthony Irwin (Lakers Lounge, Offsides app) swings by to offer thoughts.

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Anthony Irwin

 

Segment 1: Is Rob truly running the show?

Segment 2: More front office decisions

Segment 3: The new guys!

 

Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

 

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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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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.

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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. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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)Mark Walter and Rob Pelinka's VISION for the Lakers, Luka. STRONG DIRECTION?  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 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 Doncic, Austin Reaves). Only one holdover from the ROTATION (Jake LaRavia, who fell out of favor during the playoffs).

Enter Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Kevon Looney and the rookie Cameron Carr.

Can't accuse Rob Pelinka of being afraid to make bold moves. But were they good ones? Andy breaks it down with special guest Trevoe Lane.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Trevor Lane (Lakers Nation, Lakers Collective)

Segment 1: Kessler scouting report.

Segment 2: Grimes scouting report

Segment 3: Sexton scouting report

 

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

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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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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 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 in mind, what are the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the new guys? What do they bring to the table as players, competitors, and people? To break it all down, Andy Kamenetzky is joined by Tony Jones (@tjonesonthenba), who has a unique (and extremely useful, for these purposes) beat covering both the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. This makes Jones highly familiar with Kessler, Grimes, and Sexton, and he was kind enough to share some intel.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with special guest Tony Jones (The Athletic)

Segment 1: Kessler scouting report.

Segment 2: Grimes scouting report

Segment 3: Sexton scouting report

Photo credit: Chris Nicoll-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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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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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' 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 wing... all traits the Lakers have needed to add more of this offseason. Williams is a far more established (if still unproven, all in all) as a defensive player than as a scorer, but the Lakers also lack the former muuuuuuuuch more than the latter, so in that sense, the signing makes a lot of sense. Williams will have a real opportunity at a role and minutes. Worst case scenario, it's a low risk, low reward addition. Best case, incredible value.

 

And speaking of value, it would be an overstatement to call Austin Reaves "incredible value" at 4 years, $180M... but it beats 4 years, $185M, the original reported terms of his new deal. Reaves gave the Lakers a bit of a discount to help with future roster-building flexibility. What will become of this, who knows? But it's still a team-focused move that even fans cynical of Reaves should appreciate it.

 

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

 

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!

 

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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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