Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers Locked On Podcast Network

The Lakers head coaching search is going slowly, in part because the apparent frontrunner still has a gig calling games for ESPN. Reports from Shams Charania (and others) continue to put JJ Redick at the front of the line for the Lakers, even while more interviews are set to happen this week, followed by another round of more intensive interviews as June rolls around. Marc Stein reports there is even chatter around the league about who the Lakers might target to be on Redick's staff. (Hint: It includes guys who are theoretically in the running for the head gig, which feels at least potentially a little ambitious.)

Nothing, at the least, has been said/done to dispel the idea that it's Redick's job to lose. Maybe that changes as the interview pool widens. Keep an eye on what leaks -- in multiple directions -- after guys like David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn sit down for a rap sesh with Rob Pelinka.

Meanwhile, Rich Paul is on the record saying the Lakers really should be focusing on Anthony Davis in this process, not LeBron James. Which is true - AD is going to be a Laker, almost surely, longer than James. It's also another tea leaf that points to Redick's candidacy, because Team James is going the extra mile to separate themselves from the perception that Redick would be LeBron's hire... which of course is required because people see that, you know, the guy is LeBron's podcast partner.

Finally, a report over the weekend said the Phoenix Suns plan to make a full court press on James if/when he opts out of his Lakers deal. Which he surely will. The notion of him going to Phoenix for a veteran's minimum or taxpayer midlevel (can the Suns even offer that?) or whatever is far fetched. But is it 100% guaranteed he comes back to the Lakers if he ops out?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: JJ Redick is still the clubhouse leader. SEGMENT 2: Rich Paul reiterates that LeBron isn't pulling the strings. SEGMENT 3: We're sure LeBron returns if he opts out, right?



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There hasn't been a ton of news out of El Segundo as the Lakers slow play their coaching search and nobody can really do much about next season from a personnel standpoint, because the playoffs are still happening.

But on Thursday, the calm was shaken just a little bit. BJ Bickerstaff was let go by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now in theory, that could put him in play for LA's job, if only because there aren't many candidates with NBA head coaching experience. But probably not. What it could do, though, is force the Lakers to speed things up a little because the Cavs, unlike the Washington Wizards (the other open gig) constitutes a real job with appealing players and a smart front office. That means it's possible candidates the Lakers like (Adelman? Redick? Cassell? Etc...) could be wooed by Cleveland, and if the Lakers want 'em they'll have to move.

So at the least, this could tip their hand a little, because if you see the Lakers suddenly spring into action because _______ is getting down the road with the Cavs, that obviously means they're interested. The flip side holds true as well. Cleveland is reportedly interested in Kenny Atkinson, who at least initially was on LA's list. If he is pursued by the Cavs and not a peep comes from El Segundo? Well, there you go.

Meanwhile, LeBron James was named to the All NBA 3rd team this week. It's the 20th consecutive season he's managed to make one of the teams. 20. In a row. To put that in perspective, only 10 players have even played 20 seasons. He's now five All-NBA seasons ahead of the next closest guy behind him.

Finally... is this the year Chris Paul becomes a Laker, for real?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: Bickerstaff, OUT!SEGMENT 2: If no MItchell... who? SEGMENT 3: LeBron's long term excellence, plus CP3?

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The Lakers and their two stars got some good news Wednesday, when the league announced its All-NBA squads for the season. LA was represented by Anthony Davis (2nd Team) and LeBron James (3rd Team). Not super surprising, but still a nice honor for two very worthy players. (You could argue, too, that LeBron deserved Kawhi Leonard's spot on the 2nd Team, were you the type of person who likes these sorts of arguments.)

The question, though, becomes how these performances reflect on the team's larger goals.

On the one hand, the Lakers are going nowhere if those two guys can't perform at an elite level. And this year, they did, and (health aside) there's no reason to expect a big drop off from either guy next season. On the other hand, they had about as healthy a run from both Davis and James that could be reasonably expected, but the Lakers still couldn't manage to get out of the first round. So is the window open a little wider than thought? Shutting faster?

Probably depends on the work Rob Pelinka does this summer. And, to be completely honest, a degree of luck as well. With matchups, with health (for the Lakers and their rivals) and about 500 other things.

Finally, we dip into the mailbag to talk about D'Angelo Russell, the Everlasting Gobstopper of players spending time on the block.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: AD and LBJ to the All NBA teams. SEGMENT 2: Are you encouraged or discouraged by the news of the day? SEGMENT 3: The Lakers, again, have a D'Lo Dilemma.



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eBay MotorsFrom brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

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Well, the interview process is off and running!

The Athletic reports that the Lakers have met with JJ Redick, James Borrego and Sam Cassell for their vacant head coaching position, and plan to meet with David Adelman, Micah Nori and Chris Quinn before things are said and done.

But for now, the infatuation with Redick appears to be just that. The Lakers really are reportedly "infatuated" with Redick, with The Athletic reporting the Lakers view him as a potential Pat Riley - i.e. a former player (and broadcaster no less!) with little coaching experience who takes over a team with high expectations, and manages even to exceed them. Riley, after all, won a title in his first year. Of course, that Lakers team back in '81-'82 was stacked, and while this team is good... it ain't stacked.

Is Riley the right template, here? Even while nobody knows how Redick will fare, should he be hired?

Meanwhile, the back and forth this week about the role LeBron James plays in all of this indicates the Lakers still have something of a marriage of convenience with their iconic star, even as he cedes more space to Anthony Davis. LeBron is here, and is expected to stay, because of other reasons that eclipse trust/belief in Rob Pelinka.

Finally, what does Denver losing to Minnesota mean for how the Lakers ought to approach this offseason?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: Do the Lakers see Redick as the next Riley? SEGMENT 2: Are both the front office and LeBron simultaneously trying to take credit for, and absolve themselves of, Redick? SEGMENT 3: What the Lakers learn about the offseason following Denver's loss to Minnesota.

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From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

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Brian's lost his voice, but Harrison Faigen (SBNation) took his place to discuss- after an "Earth 2" victory lap about being "proven right" that the Lakers would be in the Western Conference Playoffs had they listened to him and tanked vs. the Pelicans during the play-in to avoid Denver - Shams Charania's report that LeBron James, despite all appearances and common sense, is not the driving force behind JJ Redick being the reported frontrunner for the Lakers coaching job, even though he's never coached a game in his life. Is this believable? No. Does this feel like Team Klutch trying to dispel a narrative where LeBron gets the blame if this goes sideways? Yes.But here's the thing. The version of events where this is true and Redick managed to jump the line this dramatically without LeBron's push is arguably even less comforting.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Harrison Faigen (SBNation)

SEGMENT 1: Harrison says "I told you so!!!" and LeBron reportedly isn't pushing for Redick... or any coach.

SEGMENT 2: Why it's not believable LeBron's relationship with Redick hasn't pushed him to the front of the line... but also, if that IS true, that's arguably worse.

SEGMENT 3: Anthony Davis' voice (spoken, implied, or otherwise) is reportedly also under heavy consideration these days.


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From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

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Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Lakers were among the teams that were ready to go with an offer for Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell should he become available. After all, there have been persistent questions about whether or not Mitchell would agree to a (very lucrative) extension with the Cavs, or try to force his way out.

Thursday, at least, seemed to diffuse that notion. Additional reporting suggested that Mitchell wants to build a winner in Cleveland, something bigger than a team that advances a round each year before getting bounced. Now, all of this could be posturing, and until he actually signs an extension people will wonder...

...but this does seem to indicate Mitchell is more likely than not going to stay in Cleveland.

So what's next for LA? On the one hand, there's a legitimate argument to be made that emptying the cupboard for Spida is not a good idea, because the Lakers would be painfully thin and asset free going forward. (There's also an argument to be made for getting him, because he's really good, is not even 30 and isn't positionally redundant to the team's other stars.) But bigger than that, if Mitchell isn't an option, that takes the "easy" road off the table, and demands Rob Pelinka make some harder choices, and do more crafty GMing. Is he up to the job?

It might help if the Lakers had a head coach, and to that end, the robots are weighing in with suggestions. In fact, the robots might be responsible for laying out the criteria LA is looking for in its next head man.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Donovan Mitchell may be off the market before he gets on it.

SEGMENT 2: If not Mitchell, who?

SEGMENT 3: Did ChatGPT provide the qualities Rob and Jeanie Buss want in a coach?



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eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.

FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARANTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON 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)