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

Well, the script writers are at it again. Have we entered PLOT TWIST character?

Monty Williams -- the same Monty Williams who was a prime choice for the Lakers a few years back and turned them down before they eventually landed on Frank Vogel -- was let go by Detroit with approximately 11 years and $9 billion left on his contract. So with the process seemingly stalled after what were described by some reports as very good conversations with JJ Redick last weekend, speculation is naturally swirling around Williams.

Is he ready to coach again, after being coaxed back to the sidelines by Tom Gores last year? It obviously was an unmitigated disaster, so would bringing him here, in this situation, be even kind of wise?

Are the Lakers even interested?

Is Redick interested in the Pistons? Because his name, intentionally or not, is/will be linked there.

James Borrego, to the extent the Lakers care, could be off the market quickly, and even if the Lakers don't want him, it means Borrego gets a crack at putting a staff together before the next Lakers coach does. That's important. Especially if that coach is Redick.

And finally, if you are still clinging to the idea that Bronny James and LeBron James (potential free agent) are a package deal, stop. Rich Paul again made that clear on Wednesday.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Monty Williams fired in Detroit.

SEGMENT 2: Would the Lakers entertain Williams as an option? What does all of this delay mean for Redick?

SEGMENT 3: A Bron/Bronny update.



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With the Finals in our collective rear view mirror (maybe not THAT far in our collective rear view mirror but nonetheless in it), ESPN has it's first edition of the 2024-25, admittedly way too early Power Rankings.

Of course, the idea of ranking teams now, when so much is going to change and we are almost literally as far as we'll be bfeore anyone plays ball again, might seem silly. And it is, if you allow yourself to get wrapped up in the rankings aspect of it. It doesn't matter if your team is 1, 2 or 3. Or 7, 8 or 9. What's important is where you stand relative to other contenders, and for the Lakers they're a step behind. Right now that's perception, but it's perception based on tangible stuff. It should help crystallize how far the Lakers are from winning another title.

Because the Lakers, even if you think 15 is too low - this is where ESPN put them in their rankings - is still a decent leap behind teams like Denver, Dallas, Minnesota and Oklahoma City. What about Memphis? Sacramento? Those teams were both ranked behind LA.

And as long as we're arguing about team placements, what about player placements? Where do Lakers like Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell fit into the NBA ecosystem? Top 125? 100? 75? These are critical considerations, because were the team to lose any of the assets they currently have (i.e. Russell signing somwhere else with nothing coming back) they'd be hard pressed to find free agents who would be an upgrade.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: 15 with a bullet!



SEGMENT 2: What a June Power Ranking reveals.



SEGMENT 3: What about player tiers?



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Yeah, everyone saw. In a series that was about as lacking in drama as a series could have, the Boston Celtics polished off the Dallas Mavericks Monday night to win an 18th NBA title, putting them back ahead of the Lakers for most in league history.

And it doesn't take a crackerjack NBA analyst to note that they are in much better position to keep adding to that total than the Lakers.

There may be nothing that crystalizes the emphasis Lakers Nation places on titles more than watching the Celtics win one. As Kobe noted, the fear of losing is a much bigger driver than the joy of winning. That doesn't apply in exactly the same way for fans, but tolerance for the current state of things will be a lot lower for a while than it would have been had Dallas won, or some other team kept Boston out of the Finals, or if the path for the Lakers felt more clear. To be fair, the Lakers aren't terrible. But they're at least a step behind multiple teams in the Western Conference, have an aging star in LeBron James, and no obvious path to join the truly elite squads.

Does this change anything for how the Lakers approach the offseason? Does it change the level of tolerance fans will have if Boston, as expected, keeps being awesome while the Lakers seem to run in place?

Meanwhile, a new wrinkle in the NBA rule book allows teams to start engaging with their own free agents as soon as the Finals ends. Well, that's now. Could the Lakers move early on some key players? How might the landscape shift before the big free agency period begins?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Boston wins. BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

SEGMENT 2: Does a dominant Boston squad change the way the Lakers, or Lakers fans, view things?

SEGMENT 3: A new wrinkle for free agency.

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JJ Redick was in LA this weekend, meeting with the team for his "most formal" round of interviews yet, via the LA Times.

How quickly the Lakers move from here is a matter of debate. On the one hand, it certainly seems like the Lakers are facing a time crunch, with the draft rolling around at the end of the month, and free agency starting soon after. But according to Adrian Wojnarowski, there is some thought that the organization, or at least some in it, are comfortable entering those critical periods without a coach in place. Which seems kinda nutty, but hey, who's to say it's not time to break the mold?

Meanwhile, there are real questions as to whether a first time head coach, or in the case of Redick, a first time coach, period, is the way to go. Former Laker Larry Nance says no, and others talk about that experience and how challenging it is, especially in LA. The answer probably is less about the coach and more the organization.

And about that draft? Could the Lakers, who have been rumored to be in the middle of big trades that would send that pick away, actually be looking to improve their draft position through a trade? If they have their eye on a candidate they think could step in and help, how big a price would they have to pay in a draft most consider pretty weak?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: The Lakers spoke to JJ Redick this weekend at length.



SEGMENT 2: Is a first year coach a good idea? SEGMENT 3: Moving up in the Draft?



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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.

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET. That’s TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - 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)

The Dan Hurley Saga is over, sort of. As the postmortem continues on this relatively short but extremely interesting chapter in Lakers history (people still talk about Coach K turning them down 20 years later), there's still the matter of finding the coach for next season.

To that end, you'll never guess who is, reportedly, back in front...

Or maybe you will. That's JJ Redick. He's set to meet with the Lakers this weekend, and if the Celtics finish off the Mavericks in Game 4, could be in a position to be hired pretty quickly. This is a good space for the Lakers to be in, all things considered, because the disaster scenario would have been to go after Hurley unsuccessfully, but then lose out on Redick (if that's the next choice) or even James Borrego, who is reportedly getting far along for the gig in Cleveland.

But the Lakers can now credibly turn to Redick as a second choice behind a "c'mon, it's a no brainer" first option in Hurley, without hurt feelings.

As for Hurley, he went on the Dan LeBatard Show (as well as Collin Cowherd) to talk about what went down. And while total transparency was probably not going to be an option on the table (and may never be) he was more candid than you'd expect. What did he say about the offer? About the prospect of coaching in LA?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Back to Redick? SEGMENT 2: How quickly will the Lakers move?SEGMENT 3: What did Dan Hurley say?



Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply.

BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

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.

PrizePicksGo to https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

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

FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET.  That’s TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS- 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)

No NBA franchise, save perhaps Celtics the has more names who could legitimately be placed on its proverbial Mt. Rushmore than the Los Angeles Lakers. And even with all that competition, it would be impossible to put together an honorary like that without including Jerry West. A man who would make a compelling case to be on the league's Mt. Rushmore, were one to be made.

He is a Hall of Famer three times over. Literally the symbol of the NBA, and one of its great ambassadors.

Jerry West died Wednesday. He was 86. The remembrances were widespread and personal, speaking to a man with great integrity and honor, who was personally caring and giving, even while struggling to find peace and happiness when it came to his own accomplishments.

We talk about the rich, but complex, legacy he leaves.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Jerry West dies at 86.



SEGMENT 2: The fascinating legacy of West. How his perception of himself frames the way we see modern NBA players.



SEGMENT 3: A moment for the coaching search, and final thoughts.



Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply.

BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.

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.

PrizePicksGo to https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!

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

FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET.  That’s TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS- 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)