Embarking on Free Agency, What will LeBron James do and the moves have started

LeBron James Makes All-NBA Third Team: Why It Raises Tough Questions for the Lakers: LeBron James has made the All-NBA Third Team. On the one hand, it's a remarkable achievement, given his age and mileage. The level of play he put out this year was pretty remarkable, even before considering how long he's been at it. There isn't much, if any, precedent. On the other hand, the reason James made the third team and not first or second? 56 games. That's how many he played, and it's the third year he's missed a significant number of games since joining the Lakers. So on the one hand, LeBron James is still demonstrably excellent. On the other, it's getting harder and harder to rely on James to be on the court to demonstrate that excellence. So what do the Lakers do? When it comes to figuring out how "in" to go with a James-led team, whether "all" or something more conservative, balancing the paradox of James is a real pickle. Can the Lakers make enough improvements around him (and presumably by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

29 min listen

Rudy Gobert is DPOY, A Free Agency primer and a look into Derrick Favors and Dante Exums's Free Agent Markets: The NBA Free Agency free for all is right around the corner, David Locke, the radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA insider, takes a look at the free agency market and where it will stand for the players on the market this year compared to the last three seasons. Specifically, Locke pretends to be Derrick Favors agent and calls around to the teams in the league to see what interest there is acquiring the 6'10 Favors. Locke then lays out what he believes will be the two choices facing Favors. Locke does the same thing with Dante Exum and how his free agency looks. Then Locke takes a peek at Kevin Pelton's top 30 NBA Free Agents, a list that doesn't include either Favors or Exum. Rudy Gobert is the defensive player of the year and you could really tell that it mattered to him to win the award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Jazz - Daily Podcast On The Utah Jazz

30 min listen

Do Stars Have Too Much Power?, Lakers Summer Of Decisions, Signings & More: The Lakers have a lot to work on... by Lakers Nation Podcast

69 min listen

Will LeBron James Sign a Contract Extension with the Lakers Quickly, Or Will He Make Them Wait?: With all the conversation about roster building and trades, especially trades involving Russell Westbrook that are yet to happen, one bit of critical housekeeping has received at least a little less attention. LeBron James is eligible for a two-year extension starting on August 4th. The Lakers are expected to quickly get the offer out there, but nobody is quite sure yet if/when James might accept it. He has options - he can sign for one additional year, two additional years (or perhaps one and an option year) or just become a free agent after this season. Obviously his decision has a massive influence on the direction of the franchise going forward. So what is James going to do? Reports suggest he and his family are very happy in Los Angeles, and at the least, aren't angry with the Lakers. But on the other... I think we can all agree that at least right now, the Lakers can't be considered by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

38 min listen

Is LeBron James Almost Back? Is Frank Vogel the Lakers' Biggest Offseason Priority?: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that LeBron James is getting close to a return from his high ankle sprain, maybe hitting the court sometime this week. How quickly can James get his feet under him, and what does his return mean for guys like Dennis Schröder, who have thrived in outsized roles in his absence? Meanwhile, Woj also reports the Lakers will spend the summer putting together a contract extension for Frank Vogel. What has made Vogel, at best the team's third choice a couple summers ago, such a success? Finally, what's remarkable about the sale of a LeBron James rookie card for $5.2 million isn't the $5.2 million... HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: James is (almost) back. After Monday's game, Anthony Davis and Vogel spoke about the need for players like Schröder to stay aggressive once he's back, continuing to guide the offense and punish opponents when the opportunities present. by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

29 min listen

Is It a Given The Lakers Should Offer LeBron James a Contract Extension? Plus, more on Westbrook's Take on Media/Fans: Nothing is easy about this season for the Lakers, and nothing will be easy about this offseason for them, either. Tons of huge decisions to be made. Now, that includes the future of LeBron James. Not just from the POV of what James wants, but also whether the Lakers would be wise to commit to a core comprised of James and Anthony Davis, since now neither guy can be considered reliable from a health/availability standpoint. Then again, what exactly are the alternatives? Trading James? Trading James and AD? Letting LeBron walk? The team is in a tight spot, because doing better than that core will be hard, but it's reasonable to ask now if that core is enough to win more titles without a stronger supporting cast... something the Lakers don't have much ability to build. On the other hand, there may not be a team in the league with more obstacles in front of them for a tota by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

32 min listen

Hour 1: Absolute Blank Show: Hour 1: Absolute Blank Show by Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle

47 min listen

LeBron Makes History in Another Lakers Loss + FS1 NBA analyst Ric Bucher by Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

42 min listen

Media Day Reaction! Anthony Davis Says He's the Center. LeBron Says Westbrook Shouldn't Change, and Much More!: The 2021-22 season is officially off and running. Tuesday, the Lakers were the last of the NBA's 30 teams to hold their media day. It was a brisk, efficient affair, too, in which we learned a lot about the group. There was a lot of talk about Anthony Davis and where he'll play (A.D. removed the mystery quickly, saying he expects to be the center, and is comfortable with it), how Russell Westbrook fits in with his hometown squad (very well, even if it will take a minute to work out the kinks) and the impact he'll have (energy, pace). How will LeBron adjust to the group? It is his genius, after all. Or one part of it at least. And vaccination talk. Lots and lots of vaccination talk. The team will be 100% vaxxed by the opener, which is critically important, players and Frank Vogel said repeatedly, for getting the team where it wants to go. So what does it all mean? Listen and by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

33 min listen

Russell Westbrook Could Be A Laker Again Next Season. Plus, Going "Year to Year" with LeBron: After news that Phil Jackson was advising the Lakers on who to hire as the team's next head coach was a topic of conversation, reports that some people connected to the team might not be happy about it. Is it LeBron James/Rich Paul, who have clashed with Jackson before? Rob Pelinka? Agents? Other players? Why is it problematic that the Lakers seem to have so many important voices who aren't on the payroll? And oh, by the way, Jackson is reportedly a big Russell Westbrook fan. Might his involvement increase the chances Westbrook returns? Because Lakers fans should understand there's a very real possibility Westbrook could return next season. The Lakers might find it hard to move him in a deal that doesn't hurt them, first and foremost, and if he's back it makes sense (or could) to try and make things work on the court before just paying him to go away. Westbrook might have a vested interest in by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

29 min listen

What's Next for the Lakers and LeBron James? Is Playing with Bronny Still a Factor?: The immediate business ahead of the Lakers is deciding, or perhaps just finding the right time to announce, the future of Darvin Ham. But while everyone waits on that—and the Lakers did in fact conduct exit interviews internally (and away from probing questions from media types)—one could certainly assume that major stakeholders were asked not just about Darvin, but more importantly what worked and what didn't this year, and what kind of coach they'd like to see next season. That would include, at least in theory, LeBron James, whose own future in Los Angeles isn't exactly an open question, but isn't solidified, either. He is expected to opt out of his deal, and while a return to LA is what most expect and is unquestionably the most likely outcome, the contours of that future are very much unknown. Will LeBron demand three years at the max? A full no-trade clause? Is there anything, really, he co by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

33 min listen

What is a Realistic Timeline for LeBron James to Return? Plus, the Lakers Retire Pau Gasol's #16!: Of late, The Athletic's Shams Charania hasn't exactly been the bearer of good news for Lakers fans. And Monday, talking with FanDuelTV, wasn't much different. Charania noted that while the Lakers are going to re-evaluate LeBron James after three weeks, there is certainly some belief that the actual length of LeBron's absence could extend past that mark. Well past it, potentially, calling into serious question just how much regular season action James might get before a (hypothetical) play-in matchup. Or whether the Lakers can hang on long enough to even make those last few games meaningful. And what exactly will be the considerations the Lakers and LeBron make when deciding whether LeBron can/should return to action? It's all very speculative and super-unpleasant for the Lakers, and puts that much more pressure on Anthony Davis to elevate the team, D'Angelo Russell to get back on the floo by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

36 min listen

NBA Draft Preview with Mike Garcia: Can the Lakers Find a Rotation Player at #17?: The Lakers are in a unique situation when it comes to Thursday's NBA Draft. First, they have a first round pick, and seem inclined to actually use it, rather than automatically defaulting to sending the selection away in favor of a more established player. And given the amount of turnover teams face now across the league, sentiment around picking the best player available tends to trump picking for need. Then again, for the Lakers, who are on an accelerated timeline thanks to the arc's of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they need a guy who can fit in with that core, and ideally could do it quickly. So are there any players who could step into a rotation next season that will be waiting at the back end of the draft? What exactly goes into that type of selection? What skills translate quickly to fill a niche at the NBA level, when a player isn't going to step into a starring or big scoring role? We ask tho by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

38 min listen

Westbrook For 6th Man of the Year? Could LeBron Enter the MVP Race? Plus, Lakers Trade Targets!: Our friends at Betonline have put out a fresh set of odds for postseason awards, as teams near the halfway point of the NBA season (it's coming quickly, folks). What's interesting about the Lakers in this area is, primarily, that so few Lakers are even mentioned. Guys like Anthony Davis, who had briefly put themselves on the board for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, are now off it. Only Russell Westbrook remains, and not only is he a betting favorite for Sixth Man of the Year, he's the betting favorite. Should he be? It's certainly a strange year for 6MOY, without a ton of obvious candidates on really strong teams. And certainly Westbrook has made a good pitch, and has a compelling narrative (and we can tell you, narrative is a huge factor in media-driven awards). But would someone like Jordan Poole (Golden State) or Malcolm Brogdon (Boston) be more worthy? Will the same media priming by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

31 min listen

LOCKED ON LAKERS -- 6/12/18 -- Which young Lakers would be ready to compete on a LeBron James team?: Pete and I discuss a common theme among those who don't like the Lakers: That somehow, a team with LeBron James and Paul George would struggle to compete for anything beyond the second round of the playoffs. We figure out who among the young core is ready for those kinds of stakes, as well as whether it matters if they are at all. LeBron would probably have a couple thoughts on how to make the roster fit his game and expectations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

31 min listen

The 30: LeBron James will miss the next two games, the Lakers' commitment to being healthy for the playoffs and who should get a bulk of the minutes at center? With Anthony Irwin.: LeBron James is dealing with a sore left ankle. by Lakers Lounge

37 min listen

LOCKED ON JAZZ - All the 4s in the NBA, how they rank in shooting, playmaking, rebounding and more: David Locke, the radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider., takes a look at the 4 position in the NBA. He breaks it down by who got off the most threes, who can makes those threes, then how many of those threes were open and who makes the open threes. What other aspects do they have to their game, can they rebound, can they play make What happens if someone closes out how many can drive, can they take advantage of a switch in isolation and finally can they play pick and roll. Today's show is brought to you by Zip Recruiter go to www.ziprecruiter.com/lockedon Intercap Lending and BBQ Pit Stop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by Locked On Jazz - Daily Podcast On The Utah Jazz

39 min listen

If LeBron and Anthony Davis are healthy, the Lakers are still elite - Guest, Mo Dakhil!: It's time for a Lakers 2021 season autopsy, and there's no better basketball mortician for these purposes than the Kamenetzky Brothers' favorite guest, NBA analyst and former team videographer Mo Dakhil (Bleacher Report, The Athletic, @MoDakhil_NBA)! Since the first round exit, there's been a lot of debate about how good of a team the Lakers really had, and whether they could realistically have repeated as constructed, if healthy. Mo offers his assessment, plus thoughts on two key young players, the Andre Drummond/Anthony Davis/LeBron James fit, the team's defensive success, Frank Vogel's coaching acumen, and more. Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers' season ended with a whimper, but the team was also rolling before a slew of injuries. Was this a legit championship roster before the wheels came off? Mo offers his opinion. SEGMENT 2: More thoughts on the roster. Could Drummon by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

35 min listen

The LLP Ep. 187: Kingsmen - The (Purple &) Golden Circle (#LAbron Plan Unfolding Perfectly? + DMC's Free Agency Good for Randle? + More NBA Draft Talk: Simons, Frazier, Okobo) by The Lakers Legacy Podcast

73 min listen

The 30 podcast: LeBron's minute restriction, LeBron passing MJ and how the Lakers can fix their roster for next year with Josh Eberley from Hoop Mag by Lakers Lounge

38 min listen

LeBron's Lakers are Cursed + Former NFL Executive Greg Gabriel by Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

50 min listen

Bonus Show: LeBron Retiring!?: Well this is a surprise.... by Lakers Nation Podcast

13 min listen

Lonnie Phelps Goes Pro + How His NFL Decision Affects Kansas Jayhawks Football in 2023 by Locked On Jayhawks - Daily Podcast On Kansas Jayhawks Football & Basketball

12 min listen

The Full Tilt Podcast Network Ep.172 - The Full Tilt Dynasty Podcast by The Full Tilt Fantasy Podcast

68 min listen

The new LeBron & Joel Klatt by The Doug Gottlieb Show

124 min listen

The "Russell Westbrook Experience" - How It Impacts LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers: So 11 games in, Lakers fans (and Lakers coaches, Lakers players and Lakers management) are learning a lot about what it means to be a team featuring Russell Westbrook. The extremes are striking, particularly now while he's not playing particularly well in the aggregate. Is it something people were totally prepared for? How is it impacting the way the Lakers play? And perhaps most importantly, when it's all said and done, how does Westbrook's presence impact the effectiveness of LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a pairing? Because for the last two seasons, there has been an assumption that the combination of Davis and James, if healthy and playing at their top level, automatically makes the Lakers strong title contenders, almost independent of what surrounds them. Given LeBron's new struggles with health, is that still true? And critically, does the addition of Westbrook enhance that partner by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

36 min listen

NBA Players Are Prepared to Boycott the Season by Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre

25 min listen

LeBron James Suspended for One Game, and Vegas Gives Bad Odds On Frank Vogel's Job Security: It wasn't exactly a surprise, but the NBA handed down some discipline to LeBron James and the Lakers following Sunday's brawl in Detroit. One game for James as punishment for a reckless and dangerous fist/elbow to the face of Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (who got two games for going bat-bleep crazy in the aftermath, trucking nearly every member of the Pistons staff trying to hold him back). One more game without James, at this point, isn't going to define the season, but does gin up questions about the team's character, and how they think of themselves. They came into the season with the belief they're an elite, title caliber squad. Everyone, players and coaches alike, needs to adjust to the reality of what this team is right now. And what they are is not all that good. If Sunday's fight is going to be the type of turning point the players said it could be, the Lakers need a change of mindset, by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

34 min listen

Jorge Sedano on an already incredible playoffs only getting ramped up: The league is starting re-allow beef. Sedano and Anthony both love it. by Lakers Lounge

36 min listen

LeBron Says He Wants to Retire (many years from now) as a Laker! Plus, the Lakers' Draft Needs.: As part of his Space Jam promotional tour, LeBron James appeared on the "Smartless" podcast with Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, and among many subjects, touched on his basketball future. In a nutshell, he wants to play another several years, and all of them in a Laker uniform. What's crazy is how absolutely sane the notion of him playing well into his forties feels. LeBron also talked about his future in Hollywood, and what he could have in common with Denzel Washington, Liam Neeson and The Rock. From there, the Kamenetzkys break down what type of player the Lakers should target with the 22nd pick, assuming they keep it. Should they target a high ceiling, or a high floor? What skills should they covet? Is it even possible to find a multifaceted player late in the first round? Finally, Team USA lost what is ultimately an insignificant game against Nigeria, but basketball fans are by Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

31 min listen

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Embarking on Free Agency, What will LeBron James do and the moves have started

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