Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers play their third preseason game of the very, very young season Thursday night, but already some signs are shining through, giving glimpses of what this team could look like over the course of the '26-'27 campaign.
There's a lot to be excited about, and great storylines to follow. It starts with Luka Donćić, a perennial MVP candidate and arguably the league's most elite offensive weapon. There's Austin Reaves, trying to take the next step after being given a massive contract. All the new guys, from Grimes to Mamu to Kessler who form what is a new core for this team, the first time they've had a group of players under contract for a long time.
The young guys, Cam Carr and Adou Thiero, have shown promise, and could fill a void the franchise has had for a while, in terms of player development.
Who is the fifth starter?
Which players are most likely to pop in their new roles?
What about new ownership? What about current management?
Joining us to break all of this down is Mike Trudell, the great Lakers sideline reporter, radio host and now the author of his own Substack.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Mike Trudell joins!

SEGMENT 2: Starters and rotations!

SEGMENT 3: Storylines you're most excited to see play out.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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In Monday's preseason opener, the Lakers were short a few important players, but still managed to put together a top shelf effort to beat Sacramento.
One night later, they were down even more guys, and found the limits of what the remaining talent on hand could deliver. The Warriors took control early, and never gave it up in a game that was never close. Final score, 124-98.
The Lakers were without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Ziaire Williams, Collin Sexton and Matisse Thybulle. That's six of the top eight guys in the rotation. And not only that, the Lakers really played without a point guard, since Bronny was the closest thing they had to a one, and his shortcomings as a true lead guard are no secret. Were there highlights? Kinda. Sandro Mamukelashvili had a nice game, with 15 points. Quentin Grimes had a few moments where his ability to put the ball on the floor to score was on display. Adou Thiero had a spectacular dunk.
But overall, this was a throwaway game in most ways, because the Lakers couldn't generate enough organization or offense to really work through stuff and try to make evaluations.
Lakers will take the floor again Thursday, hopefully with more folks.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers sit ... almost everyone? Good move?

SEGMENT 2: Harder to learn lessons.

SEGMENT 3: What's next for the preseason?

PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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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.

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Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
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Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

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
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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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HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
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.

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
PrizePicks
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

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
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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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Well, that went about as well as you could ask.
Luka Dončić dropped an easy breasy 21 points, the Lakers shot the lights out in the first half especially, and the defense came to play as the Lakers romped in Sacramento, 127-103. As you'd expect, JJ Redick spread the playing time around, and with Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Arthur Kaluma in street clothes with (non-serious) injuries, but basically everyone who played contributed. It gave a little extra time for some of the newer players to stretch their legs, and for guys like Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams (3-3 from downtown) Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili (two threes, five dimes, two steals) did some good stuff.
Jake LaRavia, who had a horrible second half to last year, had a confidence building night, and the youngsters looked good. Cam Carr finished with 19 points, and Adou Thiero had a pair of steals and, this is cool, four assists, showing better feel for what's going on around him.
We'll see what the Lakers put on the floor Tuesday night against Golden State. Certainly wouldn't surprise to see Luka resting. It's possible the guys who weren't in the lineup could be, or maybe it waits until Thursday.
Strong start!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka looks good, Lakers cruise in the preseason opener.

SEGMENT 2: How about the new guys!!!

SEGMENT 3: The defense looks good.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images


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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.

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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
PrizePicks
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

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
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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 Lakers have a lot of needs going forward, and not a lot of ways to meet them. Not much draft capital, limited cap flexibility, and so on.
So it's critical that their young, cost controlled players develop into real, useful NBA players. That starts with Cam Carr and Adou Thiero, both of whom could push for playing time this season if their improvement arc continues. But while those two are the most important part of the young player equation, the development challenge doesn't stop with them. The Lakers also would benefit in a big way from hitting on some of their two-way players, finding rotation-caliber players in players that weren't drafted. They've got a decent history in finding those guys, with Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves representing the biggest successes.
So can Arthur Kaluma, Chris Manon and AK Okereke become the type of players the Lakers need? The organization seems to be approaching their two-way guys with specific positions (wings) and skill sets (athleticism, defense) in mind, as opposed to looking at positions where the big club might be thin this year and could use extra support with fringe NBA types that might have a lower ceiling.
So what will we see in the preseason? How do all five of these guys fit into larger development plans?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
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.

KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
PrizePicks
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

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
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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.