Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers offense has been stuck in the mud for the last few weeks. Monday at the Crypt against Detroit, the Lakers shot 54% from the floor, including 47% from 3-point range. They hit 20 of their 25 free throws, a perfectly solid 80%. The Lakers got a triple-double (28/11/11) from LeBron James. Max Christie chipped in with 17. So why did they ultimately lose 117-114 to the Pistons? Turnovers, plain an simple. After a strong start, the Lakers simply couldn't handle the physicality and aggressiveness of Detroit's defense. The blitzed ball handlers, especially Austin Reaves, who had six turnovers on his own. That meant not only that the Pistons could get out and run for easy buckets, but that they simply got more shots than the Lakers. Like, a lot more. 92 field goal attempts vs. 74. Even accounting for the disparity in free throws (which impacts the FGA count), the Lakers surrendered too many opportunities to score. It's pretty clear that the Pistons play in a style that's hard for the Lakers to handle, but it seemed on Monday that LA couldn't come up with anything consistent to counter what Detroit was doing. The Pistons, meanwhile, played a pretty clean game up until the last couple of minutes, when their turnovers gave the Lakers a chance to finish off a double-digit comeback and send the game to OT. But a clean LeBron 3-pointer bounced off the front rim, and that was that. On the heels of a great set of games in Sacramento, this one stings, and reinforces that the Lakers simply cannot afford to be loose with the ball. It's been an issue all season, and cost them a game on Monday. The bigger question now—because teams, particularly the more athletic ones, see the blueprint and will try to repeat it—is how do they fix the problem going forward? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers turn the ball over and over and over again, losing to Detroit. SEGMENT 2: A massive missed opportunity. SEGMENT 3: Did the Lakers disrespect their opponent, or was Detroit exploiting weaknesses? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Skylight Frames We've got the perfect gift for you! Skylight Frame is the touchscreen digital photo frame your whole family will love. As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get $20 OFF your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/NBA. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel The NFL Playoffs are almost here, but it’s not too late to get in on the regular season action with FanDuel because right now, new customers can finish the season strong with TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins.Visit 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),...

LeBron James scored 28 points on his way to a triple double and Anthony Davis added 19 points and 10 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as the Detroit Pistons swept the season series, beating the Lakers 117-114. The Pistons were led in scoring by former Laker Malik Beasley, who had 21 off the bench. The Lakers hope to get back on track on Christmas Day when they travel to the Bay Area to face Steph Curry and the Warriors. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Support Us, By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. Robinhood Gold robinhood.com/goldFAN DUELRobinhoodfor only $5/month.robinhood.com/goldMint Mobile wireless plan for just $15 a monthmintmobile.com/lockedonnbaBILT PRIZEPICKSSKYLIGHT FRAME

An 82-game season can have a ton of ebbs and flows, and often they feel extreme. Certainly that's been the case for the Lakers, who have followed one of the most inept stretches of team defense with another that has been, quite literally, the league's best over their last five games. Even more confusing, an offense that was once among the best in the league has totally cratered The Lakers endured a brutal stretch of schedule, packing two weeks worth of games into about 10 days, but then (like most of the league) got an unnaturally light load while teams finished off the NBA Cup. And now? This uptick in defense—and the confidence it's clearly bringing the team—comes at a good time. Not only are the Lakers entering a very home-heavy portion of the schedule, filled with very winnable games. It starts tonight as the Pistons visit the Crypt. Yes, Detroit has beaten the Lakers already this year, but they're still four games under. 500 (and the Lakers should have a little revenge on the brain). Then on Christmas, the reeling Warriors come to town, followed by a slumping Kings squad the Lakers just beat twice on their floor. A date with an excellent Cleveland squad is followed by home games against an equally terrible Blazers team, and then the very mid Hawks. That's five very winnable games in their next six. Even winning four would leave the Lakers at 20-14, looking at a January schedule that holds some opportunities. Things are lined up well. The Lakers seem to have discovered a winning defensive formula, starting with the inclusion of Max Christie in the starting lineup. They're heading back to their home floor, where the team is 9-3 on the year. The light portion of the schedule seems to have done LeBron a lot of good. Gabe Vincent has transformed back into an NBA player. Cam Reddish looks comfortable in his role, and is excelling at it. And coming back home, the Lakers have a good chance to address the offense and potentially re-discover some of what made them successful on that end earlier in the year. The vibes heading into 2025 could be a lot better than just a couple weeks ago. If they can finally find some consistency. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have an opportunity to rise more in the West. SEGMENT 2: What happened to the offense? Has it been as offensive as it seems? SEGMENT 3: What's wrong with the free throw shooting? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Skylight Frames We've got the perfect gift for you! Skylight Frame is the touchscreen digital photo frame your whole family will love. As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get $20 OFF your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/NBA. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel The NFL Playoffs are almost here, but it’s not too late to get in on the regular season action with FanDuel because right now, new customers can finish the season strong with TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins.Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as...

In the NBA, it's hard to beat the same team in consecutive games. It's very hard to do it on their floor. And it's particularly hard to do it when in both games, the offense struggles to put points on the board. Yet that's what the Lakers have just done, finishing off a sweep of their mini-series in Sacramento, beating the Kings 103-99. Offensively, the Lakers were led by LeBron James, who put up 32 despite a bad night shooting from the perimeter. D'Angelo Russell kicked in with 20 points. Austin Reaves, 16. But this game was won with defense, specifically, and effort more broadly. The Lakers moved with purpose, hit their rotations crisply, made the extra play on the glass (including a huge ORB from Rui Hachimura to help seal the game), and more. And this has been the trend for LA since the incredibly embarrassing loss to the Heat in Miami. Since, the Lakers have been one of the NBA's best teams, winning games despite a bottom five offense. Basically, it's a complete reversal from trends earlier in the year, when the Lakers won with high end offense and a defense that couldn't get stops. So can they find some middle ground? Holding opponents under 100 points on a nightly basis feels unlikely in the modern NBA, so expect at least a little bit of slip. But the principles of what they're doing—including just playing with more effort and commitment on the defensive side—are sustainable. And if they can just become a consistently decent defensive team, everyone around the org (as expressed by LeBron, Anthony Davis and JJ Redick following the game) believes the offense will come around. At 16-12, things are definitely looking better for the Lakers now than they did a week or two ago. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Skylight Frames We've got the perfect gift for you! Skylight Frame is the touchscreen digital photo frame your whole family will love. As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get $20 OFF your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/NBA. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel The NFL Playoffs are almost here, but it’s not too late to get in on the regular season action with FanDuel because right now, new customers can finish the season strong with TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins.Visit 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)

LeBron James scored 32 points, including a season-high 23 in the first half, and D’Angelo Russell added 20 points off the bench as the Lakers beat the hometown Sacramento Kings 103-99. The Lakers' defense has been ranked number one overall in their last five games, holding opponents to under 100 in three of their last five. The Lakers will look to extend their 3-game winning streak to four on a Monday when they host the Detroit Pistons. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Kings, Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. Robinhood Gold robinhood.com/goldFAN DUELRobinhoodfor only $5/month.robinhood.com/goldMint Mobile wireless plan for just $15 a monthmintmobile.com/lockedonnba

On the show, we talk a lot about the level Anthony Davis has to play at for the Lakers to have a good chance to win. Thursday in Sacramento, Davis met that standard, and then some. 21 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, three steals, six blocked shots. As JJ Redick noted after the game, Davis was able to dominate the game without actually being efficient from the floor, where Davis shot 7-20. But his activity completely controlled the game, including early as the Lakers established a high end defensive tone that would would carry throughout the 113-100 win. So why did Redick say this was maybe his favorite of LA's 15 wins on the season? Well, it starts with Davis and the way he was able to dominate despite not having an efficient night shooting. But there was a lot more, as well. LeBron James gave the Lakers 19/8/7 with a block. He was engaged defensively, and was able to do that because the effort across the board was balanced. They got 28 points from D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent. Max Christie gave them eight points, three offensive rebounds and made De'Aaron Fox work for his keep. And Austin Reaves kicked in with 25, hitting 3's and getting himself to the basket effectively. There wasn't efficiency, but there was balance. And the Lakers did all the little things that translate into winning basketball that coaches love, especially on nights where the offense (after a great first quarter) was not good. The Lakers generated multiple second and third opportunities, with 15 offensive rebounds, while only allowing four offensive boards to the Kings. They limited their own turnovers (11), and turned over the opposition (16). LA got to the line more than Sacramento. Do all that stuff, and you end up winning comfortably on a night where the Kings shot a higher percentage from both the floor and beyond the arc. Its's a four-game stretch where the Lakers have played better defense, and started winning some games again. It looks different, but can they carry it through as the schedule picks up again? There's been a ton of rest lately, which will disappear. If the answer is yes, it's easier to take an optimistic view of what's coming in 2025. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Anthony Davis dominates. SEGMENT 2: The Lakers get balanced effort. SEGMENT 3: Is this defense sustainable? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rocket Money Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/lockedon today. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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...

Anthony Davis scored 21 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and had 6 blocks and Austin Reeves scored 25 points, and LeBron James added 19 points and 7 assists as the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 113-100 in what was arguably the best Lakers win of the season. The Lakers will look to extend their winning streak to three games on Saturday when they play the Kings in Sacramento again. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Kings, Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. Robinhood Gold robinhood.com/goldFAN DUELRobinhoodfor only $5/month.robinhood.com/goldMint Mobile wireless plan for just $15 a monthmintmobile.com/lockedonnba

The modern NBA schedule, where the league tries to limit back-to-backs and excessive travel, has some quirks. Among them? The home-and-home, or in the case of consecutive games between the Lakers and Kings, the road-and-road. The Lakers play Sacramento twice, both times up north, first tonight and then Saturday afternoon. The Kings, lIke the Lakers, have performed below expectations. Unlike the Lakers, though, Sacramento's metrics indicate they should be better than their record, not worse. And certainly the Kings are a dangerous team, adding DeMar DeRozan to an already potent lineup featuring De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. And the Kings, for a long time, at least, had the LA's number. And in particular, Sabonis has dominated his matchups with Anthony Davis. So needless to say, this is a tricky set of games for JJ Redick and Co. (and, just for fun, they'll play again on December 28). To preview the game, we turn to Matt George, the excellent and insightful host of Locked On Kings. What's wrong with both of these teams, and what can be made right? Can Davis hold his own against Sabonis? What about Max Christie vs. Fox? Christie was very effective against Ja Morant and Memphis on Sunday, but the Grizzlies don't run pick and roll often. Sacramento does it all the time, putting a different sort of defensive pressure on Christie and the team alike. How will they respond? These are two teams battling each other in the bottom portion of the Western Conference draw. The results of the season series could be very important. A couple of wins would do the Lakers a world of good. But it won't be easy. At least, as George notes, the Kings have been pretty lousy at home, and LA always draws up there. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky (Guest, Matt George) SEGMENT 1: What's been holding the Kings back? SEGMENT 2: How can the Lakers defend Fox and Sabonis? SEGMENT 3: Concerning matchups for the weekend. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rocket Money Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/lockedon today. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)

When Darvin Ham was fired after last season—something most of us saw coming—we didn't hear much from the man himself. It's not surprising. Ripping the team that let you go is not a great way to set yourself up for the next job. On the show, we guessed (again, no big leap) that Ham felt he was treated unfairly, and was being scapegoated for issues that were out of his control. And to some degree, he had a point. But in a new interview with ESPN's Marc Spears, he removed any doubt about his feelings. Some excerpts: “To do as well as I did, I swear to God, anywhere else I’m probably looking at an extension with what I did,” Ham said. “I’m not talking about feelings. I’m talking actual facts. They go from not making it to the playoffs to the final four in the NBA, the conference finals. And then you win the in-season tournament, navigate through all the injuries and win both of your play-in games to get to the playoffs. “People always talk about us losing to Denver, but they never talk about how we got to Denver. We beat a kick-ass young squad in Memphis and we beat Golden State..." "...“I’m not a mudslinger and I’m not going to wait until I’m 51 to become one,” Ham said. “You feel like you did enough to sustain in one spot. I felt like I did that. I get it. The franchise I’m working for, the expectations can be unrealistic at certain points in time. To be 33-49 when I was hired, with an unbalanced roster, turn that around, make it to the Western Conference finals. The very next year we were a plus-10 in wins, going from 33-49 to 43-39. And guys got paid on my watch. It went from a lot of unknown scenarios to I think we have a little bit of a core. And then we got hit with the injury bug like crazy last [season]. We might have been Top 5 in games lost to injury. “It’s being reported like I’m just throwing some lineups up against the wall to see what sticks. No man, we were really navigating a lot from guys being hurt to having the oldest player in the league [James] to navigating A.D.’s injury history. It was a lot. “Some of the s— that was coming out? Wow, bro I don’t know X’s and O’s? I was winging it. Dude, that was the most disappointing stuff, how mean and so much stuff people are saying online. The best thing I could do was block out the outside noise,” Ham said. So is he right? With the Lakers still struggling to make headway in the West, does it put Ham's tenure in a different (and perhaps more favorable) light? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rocket Money Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/lockedon today. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL...

The Lakers may have steadied the ship a little over their last three games, winning two and putting a decent defensive performance on the board in the third. But they're still a group that obviously needs improvement if they're going to contend in a crowded Western Conference. Making trades, though, is no easy feat for this team, for a variety of reasons. Three big ones: None of this is to say the Lakers can't make deals, or won't get anything done. Or that Pelinka deserves any sort of sympathy or free pass. This is the box he put the team in, after all. But it's a reflection of reality. So much of what comes next will be out of LA's control. A seller's market puts them out of reach for a lot of players. But if the buyers have the advantage? Maybe then the Lakers have enough to do something consequential, perhaps even bringing multiple players back in a single deal (say, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith), patching weak spots on the roster in ways that feel coherent. We'll see. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are in a bind. SEGMENT 2: What are the trade offs the Lakers have to make to make trades? SEGMENT 3: Redick lays down the law? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rocket Money Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/lockedon today. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)

December 15 is generally seen as the start of NBA Trade Season, because so many players become trade-eligible at that point. And over the weekend, a couple of trades—including one sending former Laker Dennis Schröder to Golden State—got the ball rolling. Schröder was a name at least some Lakers fans had their eye on, but the Nets not only got a couple of second rounders, but also the expiring deal of DeAnthony Melton. That is a package the Lakers would be hard pressed to match, without overpaying and eliminating the possibility of executing more consequential deals. But it's also not a crazy high price overall, which is encouraging to LA, given their lack of high-appeal trade assets. So where should they turn their attention? Is it the backup center, where Jonas Valančiūnas has been on the radar for a while? What about Robert Williams III, on Portland? Does another big make as much sense as a potential package of wings? Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson could be the next two guys on the move for Brooklyn. Could the Lakers make a compelling offer there? Certainly those guys would bring a lot of roster balance and versatility, even while leaving the team short at guard (because presumably D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent would both have to go to make the money work). What about revisiting older targets, like Dejounte Murray, now leading a fast-crumbling Pelicans squad that reportedly is interested in trading Zion Williamson? Myles Turner, if Indiana can't get its act back together? Would they consider moving on from a guy who is just a little older than the timeline that franchise seems to be on? Keep in mind, the Lakers likely can't make more than one or two moves before they run out of stuff, and even small deals involving second rounders have to be weighed carefully, because those picks would be needed to sweeten the pot in whatever way the Lakers can, should bigger names/better trades become available. There have been times this season the Lakers looked worth investing in. Other times, they seemed like a team that should be selling, not buying or even standing pat. Hard decisions are coming, and the Lakers have to hope the (very) early trends in the market prove sustainable. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: LeBron returns to action, but his foot isn't quite right and likely won't be going forward. SEGMENT 2: Dennis Schröder to Golden State. Helps a rival, but the market could be encouraging. SEGMENT 3: What other trade targets are there for LA? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rocket Money Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/lockedon today. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get...

The Memphis Grizzlies have been a very good team this season, and have been flat-out excellent over the last month or so—one of the best teams in the NBA both offensively and defensively. So for the Lakers, who have not exactly set the world on fire over their last 11 games, a visit from Memphis to the Crypt represented a major test. And while it wasn't easy—quite frankly, it got a little hairy in the fourth—the Lakers ultimately passed, winning 116-110. This was truly a team effort, one that had to please JJ Redick greatly. Anthony Davis led the way, dominating on both ends to finish with 40 points and 16 rebounds. But Austin Reaves (19 points) provided some punch (a much better effort than in Friday's loss, where Reaves looked very rusty after five games off). And in his return to the lineup, LeBron finished with 18/8/8. It wasn't the best James game you'll see from a statistical standpoint, but he was a big part of the defensive energy the Lakers put out, particularly in the first half, that pushed the Lakers to a big early lead they never gave up. Cam Reddish and Max Christie (who stayed in the starting lineup) both did enough offensively to keep Memphis honest, while also elevating the team's defensive intensity. So on the heels of a good defensive game Friday, have the Lakers found something? It's hard to say. Memphis, as Redick noted in his halftime interview, doesn't run a lot of pick and roll, meaning they didn't test that hyperswitching strategy the Lakers often deploy. James was a catalyst for the upgraded intensity (he plays too many minutes to ignore the defensive side of the ball). Can he bring that, if not every night, most of them? Especially if the Lakers can get by with fewer points from him? How much consistency is it reasonable to expect from James? Can the Lakers get enough from the supporting cast from night to night to allow LeBron to do 15-20% more defensively? Is Max Christie part of the equation to tie all of this together? As a starter on Sunday, it sure seemed he might be. These are ultimately the types of questions that will determine the team's upside, and how Rob Pelinka might feel in upgrading the roster before the deadline. What the Lakers did defensively, especially in the first half, is a potential game-changer if anything like that can be done with some consistency. They used activity and effort to hold Memphis to 46 points in the first 24 minutes. That effort and activity translated to good movement on the other end, too. So was it one night, or are the Lakers maybe, maybe, just maybe turning the corner a bit? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: LeBron James returns, the Lakers crank it up defensively. SEGMENT 2: A badly needed win over a quality team. SEGMENT 3: Can the Lakers repeat a winning formula? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rocket Money Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/lockedon today. BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba. Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com. Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download...

Anthony Davis scored 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and after missing two games, LeBron James returned to the lineup, where he scored 18 points, had 8 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists as the Lakers beat the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 116-110. The Lakers will look to continue their winning ways Thursday night at Sacramento.Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies

Give the Lakers credit. They played hard Friday in Minnesota, and particularly in the second half, they played defense. But the trend of horrible offense, interrupted by a couple competent performances, continued as the purple and gold fell 97-87, their eighth loss in 11 games. The Lakers turned the ball over 11 times in the first quarter alone, en route to 21 for the game. They shot 38% from the field, 29% from 3-point range, and were only 11-17 from the free throw line. It was as inept a showing as you'll find. Only one starter was over 50% from the floor (Max Christie, at 5-9... and he compensated for that by turning the ball over four times). Austin Reaves was very out of rhythm after missing his last five games. D'Angelo Russell was 2-10 from the floor, and missed six of seven 3's. The list goes on. On a night where LeBron James wasn't with the team—and no, JJ Redick doesn't know when he'll be back—the Lakers simply can't absorb this much negative production on that side of the floor and expect to win. It doesn't get any easier Sunday, with a hot Memphis team coming to the Crypt. And at some point, if his absence continues folks will need an update on James and why he's not with the team. Is it the foot? Burnout? And how long will he be away? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Mint Mobile To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)

Anthony Edwards scored 23 points including 16 in the second half and former Laker Julius Randle added 21 as the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 97-87. For the second straight game LeBron James didn’t play, as he’s been excused from personal reasons. In his absence, Anthony Davis had 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Austin Reeves scored 18 in his return to the lineup. The Lakers will look to get on the winning side of things Sunday night when they’ll host the Memphis Grizzlies. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rui, Austin Reeves, NBA, Lakers Post cast, JJ Redick, Dalton Knecht, Lakers vs Wolves Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves FAN DUELGet ready to tackle the NFL action with FanDuel America’s – Number One Sportsbook! Because right now, new customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY in BONUS BETS, if you win! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold.

The Lakers are back in action, after a long (by NBA standards) stretch between games, facing the Timberwolves tonight in Minnesota. And while Austin Reaves (questionable) might be on the floor, LeBron James didn't even make the trip. He's out for tonight, and may not play on Sunday at home against Memphis, thanks to an injured foot. (No announcements have been made in that regard.) Were James to miss Sunday's game, he'd get about two weeks off, while only costing him and the Lakers three games (including the one James missed last weekend against Portland), because after Memphis the Lakers don't play again until next Thursday. That's an almost unheard of amount of rest. Hopefully, whether LeBron sits for that whole stretch or even plays Sunday, that gets his body back where it needs to be. And, for that matter, his mind. Because in year 22, everything that makes it hard physically to play at the level he's accustomed to is arguably even harder mentally. How JJ Redick juggles the lineup without James available becomes interesting, especially if Reaves can't play. How can he balance the offense and the defense? Can he find anough ballhandling against a quality Minnesota team? Meanwhile, an interesting feature from The Athletic, surveying front office people about the best front offices in the league. Not surprisingly, Oklahoma City led by Sam Presti are at the top of the list (followed by Boston and Brad Stevens). The Lakers... didn't get a single vote. Setting aside questions about what Rob Pelinka and Co. deserve, or whether he's punished for being relatively unpopular among his peers, or even if nobody ever likes voting for stuff that gives the Lakers credit for anything. Or even that none of those things change the fact that the Lakers don't belong high up on a list like this one. A striking aspect of this feature was noting all the smart people working in the OKC front office with Presti. It is not a one-man shop. Or even a two- or three-man shop. And this is a small market group that doesn't, or at least shouldn't, have the same resources as the Lakers. The purple and gold, however, run with a very lean operation in basketball ops. Is it because the Lakers lack vision? Because they do. Because they're too insular? Because they are. Because the people they do have are not inclined in the slightest to expand the operation, especially if it means hiring people who could potentially replace you? Very likely. Because they're too cheap? Whether in this space or others, that's long been a criticism. Los Angeles has two crown jewel franchises in the Lakers and the Dodgers. But one thing that sets the Dodgers apart is their willingness to hire every smart person they can find to do stuff around the organization. In the front office, in scouting, in training and beyond. Ownership has an ethic of more-is-more, and the person at the head of it (Andrew Friedman) does not operate in fear of failure, where his replacement has an office down the hall. The Lakers can't circumvent the salary cap, but they can spend unlimited amounts of money on human capital. But they don't, and at some point that has to change. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: No LeBron in Minnesota. SEGMENT 2: Who does Redick start? SEGMENT 3: A major failure in the Lakers organization. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Mint Mobile To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an...

After a couple of days off (including one "get what you need" day) the Lakers got back on the floor Wednesday in El Segundo, and there were some welcome bodies back on the floor. Namely, Austin Reaves was back. Not exactly practicing fully, JJ Redick said, but doing a lot of 5-on-5 work, which points to a potential return whether on Friday in Minnesota or Sunday at home against Memphis. But missing from the afternoon's work? LeBron James. He was out for what was described as "personal reasons," with no details on when he'll be back with the team, or if he'd be available for Friday. All of this took place on a day where ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that the Golden State Warriors are kicking the tires again on James, wondering if he'd be interested in moving north, and if the Lakers would then accommodate. To be clear, Windy said there is zero indication James wants out—he did say LeBron very much wants but the combination of his reporting and the timing of LeBron's absence had people talking. And LeBron knows this. While it's interesting to consider how James might be putting leverage on the organization, it's equally interesting to think about alternate explanations for needing a little time. There are obviously the physical reasons. LeBron has been dealing with foot and ankle problems, and looked exhausted for much of the team's recent run of games (though it should be noted, he finished with stronger efforts against Miami and Atlanta). But James has often talked about the mental end of things, and how hard it is to maintain the energy and dedication required to compete at the level he expects (and that the Lakers need). So what if this is a mental break, as much as anything? Would that indicate that James is at least inching closer to a conclusion in his career? Where the body might still be holding up (well enough, for now) but the mind can't quite carry the burden as effectively? We'll learn a lot more once James is back with the team and presumably answers some questions. But it's a reminder of the fascinating, and virtually unprecedented, place the Lakers are in vis-a-vis their star forward. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Reaves (almost?) back, but LeBron is absent. SEGMENT 2: Why was LeBron gone? SEGMENT 3: What to do with D'Angelo Russell? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Mint Mobile To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)

December 15 is a huge date in the NBA. That's when a big chunk of the league, including players who signed free agent deals last summer, becomes trade eligible. (85 players, according to ESPN.) It's hard to know what the market will look like. Summer, for example, was a lot slower than many free agent periods, thanks to the new rules in the CBA that are far more restrictive. Will that impact trade season? Already names are getting floated out there -- Jimmy Butler reportedly is open to leaving Miami. Basically all the Nets are available (with players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson being of particular interest to LA). And there will be more. That prompts a few big questions: The third one is particularly significant. On the one hand, the Lakers have Anthony Davis and a still-excellent LeBron James. On the other, they're a flawed team in a stacked conference, and probably need a lot to go right even if they improve themselves in a trade. So what to do? And more importantly, what's the next step if they choose not to be active going forward? Or, perhaps just as likely, if they're sidelined because teams just don't want their stuff, or get better offers? To answer those questions and more, we're talking with old friend of this space Anthony Irwin, host of the Lakers Lounge, and columnist for Clutch Points. It's a frank conversation about the state of the Lakers, what might be done to improve them, and the precarious nature of things no matter what they choose to do. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky (Guest, Anthony Irwin) SEGMENT 1: Trade season is almost here! SEGMENT 2: How good are the Lakers? Are they worth trying to rescue? SEGMENT 3: What happens if the Lakers choose not to make moves... or just can't get them done? Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Mint Mobile To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)

One of the interesting perks of the new NBA Cup tournament is the impact it has on the schedule. Because the league needs to leave space for games that are impossible to slate before the seasons starts, there's about a 10-day stretch or so that provides a lot more off-days than is typical in the regular season. For the Lakers, it means no games until Friday, then another on Sunday, and nothing until the following Thursday. So about two games in 10 days. And more days off for LeBron James, who sat out Sunday's win against Portland. That amount of rest was undoubtedly on the mind of JJ Redick and the training staff (and James himself) when they made the decision to sit him, rather than push through a bothersome foot injury. With the Lakers essentially taking Monday and Tuesday off before resuming practice on Wednesday, James will get four days to rest and recharge. And because he's now missed a game, the whole "play 82" thing is out the window. The Lakers need to figure out a way to navigate these stretches of schedule like the one they just finished, with seven games in 11 days. They don't happen often, but they happen enough. Navigating those so James can play as effectively as possible needs to be the priority, even if that means sitting out the occasional game he's otherwise healthy enough to play. But LeBron isn't the only player who can use some time off his feet. Anthony Davis in the most literal sense needs space to let his plantar fasciitis to calm down. Austin Reaves is healing, as is Jaxson Hayes. (And this is before even bothering to mention Christian Wood or Jarred Vanderbilt). Of course, health isn't the only thing the Lakers need to regain over this stretch. As JJ Redick noted before the game, and multiple players said after, the Lakers need to get back to their early-season identity on offense, where Anthony Davis was the highest usage rate and the whole operation generally was more egalitarian. During the slump, for a variety of reasons (including some of LeBron's habits built over 22 years) that usage flipped to where James was the dominant figure. The Lakers need to reverse that trend. Friday's loss in Atlanta and Sunday's win were decent steps in that direction, but surely the opportunity to get meaningful practice time in and reinforce those habits is something Redick and his staff are excited about. It's likely not a coincidence that their execution and attention to detail are slipping as the season gets older, and teams have less time to practice and fewer bodies to do it with, anyway. So can the Lakers regain the best version of themselves? It'll help to get Reaves back, especially. But it's not just about personnel. The Lakers aren't as talented from top to bottom as the better teams in the West, meaning they have to execute at a higher level. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: LeBron gets some badly needed rest. Will it matter? SEGMENT 2: What are we talking about when we're talking LeBron and fatigue? SEGMENT 3: The Lakers need to make sure Anthony Davis is the focus of the offense, every game. And AD needs to back it up. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Mint Mobile To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New...

It took a minute for the Lakers to get going, but once they did, Sunday's game at home against the Portland TrailBlazers looked a lot more like fans expected it would, even with LeBron James (foot) joining Austin Reaves and the rest of the limpy Lakers in street clothes. In games like this, it's hard to pull lessons that apply for the long term. There are too many players missing, too many weird combinations. All three of LA's two-way players were in the game tonight for LA long before garbage time, just to provide one example. What you want, though, are some of the secondary guys to step up when called upon. The Lakers got the output you'd expect from Anthony Davis (30 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks), but without two of their top three scorers needed more. Enter D'Angelo Russell (28 points, 14 assists) and Rui Hachimura (23 points, 9-13 shooting). The win doesn't solve LA's problems by any stretch, but it does get them into this weird moment in the schedule (thanks to the NBA Cup) where the Lakers will only play two games in 10 days or so. That gives them time to heal—the hope is that LeBron and Reaves won't have to miss much more time, and Jaxson Hayes could inch closer to a return as well—and jsut as importantly, time to practice. This is a thin team. It is a flawed team. It is not a team that can afford to get too far from its best principles, applied in the most efficient way. That requires repetition, and it's probably not a coincidence that as the Lakers have gotten further away from training camp and regular practice time with enough healthy bodies to make practice meaningful, the attention to detail that was so strong early has diminished. The Lakers can't fix the results of frustrating games, whether the last second loss to Orlando last month, or Friday's frustration fest in Atlanta. They're back in that big clump of teams simultaneously working to stay out of the play-in... and make sure they don't miss the play-in entirely. There are 12 teams that look to be in play for 10 spots. It's going to be brutal going forward, but at 13-11 things could be worse, especially given how many lopsided losses they've suffered. But the Lakers aren't where they need to be, even if you're not putting them on the short list of contenders. (And you shouldn't be.) The next 10 days are critical. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold. Mint Mobile To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to mintmobile.com/lockedonnba. See Mint Mobile for details. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)