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

The dirt has barely settled on the 2023-24 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers after they lost to Boston in Game 5 Wednesday night, but that means it's now time to talk about the future of Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs star has the opportunity to sign an extension worth A LOT of money to stay where he is for a while, but at the same time, there have been persistent rumors that Mitchell wants out.

And if he does, many teams are ready to jump on the opportunity. One, of course, is the Lakers.

Reports indicate the Lakers have their offer ready to go, should Mitchell become available. It would like have to be, basically, everything. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, all the picks and pick swaps the Lakers can muster. Cleveland should ask for Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie (rules for RFAs notwithstanding) and everything else not nailed to the floor.

Should the Lakers jump at the chance? Would they be better with Trae Young? Giving up much less for Dejounte Murray? Trying use assets to upgrade the depth?

They only get one swing at this, if they go for a star. Is Mitchell the right one?

More reports indicating that JJ Redick is at the front of the line for the Lakers in the coaching search, this one from Marc Stein. It might be his job to lose? But would the perception that he's too much a LeBron hire keep the Lakers from pulling the trigger? It kept them away from Ty Lue...



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are ready to make an offer for Donovan Mitchell.



SEGMENT 2: Is Mitchell the best way to go?



SEGMENT 3: Why would the Lakers back away from Redick?



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Things are shifting, at least a bit, as the Lakers begin their coaching search in earnest this week. Reports indicate that JJ Redick is still at the head of the class, but rather than former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson filling the role of "guy with experience as a head coach," the Lakers are more focused on former Hornets/Magic coach James Borrego. And joining them? Long time NBA assistant (and before that, long time NBA point guard) Sam Cassell.

Cassell, especially, is a new name for the mix and one that would, in theory, seem to check a lot of boxes for the Lakers.

The Lakers are likely to widen the scope of their search as the playoffs continue, and guys like Micah Nori (Minnesota) and David Adelman (Denver) become available for interviews, but who starts the race in front makes a difference. (Just ask teams who begin the season ranked 21st in the college football polls how hard it is to get to the front of the line.)

Meanwhile, the Lakers also have a list of qualities they're looking for in their next coach, and it's a very long list... of absolutely obvious things you'd want in a coach. Surely there are other, more technical things the Lakers want, but for the stuff they've leaked? Tremendous airspace for Captain Obvious to fly.

Meanwhile, they're getting advice from Coach K. About all their candidates? Just about (former Duke star) Redick? Who's to say? But the notion of the Lakers turning to someone like him is very on brand.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: Sam Cassell has entered the chat.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers want everything (and everything obvious) in their next coach.

SEGMENT 3: Coach K, Konsultant?



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The Lakers were not participants in the weekend's NBA Draft Lottery. Not directly, at least.

Indirectly, however? Yeah, they're involved. Because when the Atlanta Hawks won the thing (despite only having a 3% chance of doing so), earning the top pick, it added an unexpected wrinkle to this offseason. If the Hawks decide to put guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray on the market, the Lakers are expected to be interested in both.

But does winning the top pick make Atlanta more or less likely to put folks on the market? Does it mean the price goes up or down?

And which of those guys should they target?

And is the answer neither, if Donovan Mitchell is available?

How the Lakers view this question philosophically will reveal a lot about the direction they go this summer. Could continuity still be on the table? The Lakers and D'Angelo Russell could remain in a relationship of mutual need. There is no rule that says Rui Hachimura must be traded. They don't have to reconstruct the roster completely.

But they could!

Meanwhile, Bronny James looks (for now at least) like he's staying in the Draft. How might the Lakers react to that? And why was LeBron in Cleveland watching Cavs/Celtics on Monday? CONSPIRACY THEORY TIME!



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: How the Draft Lottery might shake up LA's offseason.

SEGMENT 2: Murray or Young? Young or Murray? Or neither?

SEGMENT 3: Bronny and the Draft, LeBron and ... intrigue!!!



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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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The Lakers don't seem to be in a massive hurry to get something done vis-a-vis the coaching search, since two big names are off the market (Mike Budenholzer, Charles Lee), one isn't likely to get there (Ty Lue) and the only other open job belongs to the Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, oft-named candidates are still occupied, whether that's David Adelman (Denver), Micah Nori (Minnesota), or Sean Sweeney (Dallas).

Or, of course, JJ Redick (ESPN).

Depending on whose reporting in which you want to focus on in any given day—and it should be said, the usual suspects are all doing good work of solid reporting, even if/when some of the reporting doesn't completely match—the Lakers have a high level of interest in Redick, particularly. It's no surprise, given his relationship with LeBron James and what has been a very high profile ascendence into the future coach ranks.

Some reports say the Lakers are currently leaning into Kenny Atkinson as their primary "experienced coach" candidate, with Redick as the primary "new guy," even while the most sought after assistants are still there.

To be clear, all of this is based on the reading of tea leaves, but it's easy to see how if the Lakers really have put Redick at the front of the line, and really are looking at this at least to start as more of a binary between Redick and Atkinson, then it probably means they really want Redick. Is that smart? Is that how it's going to play out?

Lots of questions still to answer!



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Catching up on the coaching search.



SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers in deep on Redick?



SEGMENT 3: It's tea leaf season, for sure.



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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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Thursday was a busy one on the NBA coaching carousel, which is obviously a matter of import for the Lakers.

First, Charlotte hired Charles Lee, a top assistant on Boston's staff and long seen as a name to watch in coaching circles. He was on LA's list, but not seen as a priority candidate by most reports. Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Mike Budenholzer is set to become the Suns' next head coach, again, taking a name of interest off LA's list. And why is Budenholzer heading there? Because former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel was canned.

So in a thin coaching market, could Vogel be a real candidate for the gig? Would the Lakers actually consider bringing him back? Should they?

What about the other guys? Would Vogel make more sense than a first time head coach (Adelman, Nori) or a first time any kind of coach (JJ Redick)? Is there a philosophical through line that can be identified that runs through any of these guys? And what about internal support? The Lakers, of late, haven't done a great job of supporting their coaches through challenging times. They actively undercut Vogel, and don't seem to have worked to try and smooth out the issues internally when Darvin Ham hit some real bumps this season.

Are you confident in the process?



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky



SEGMENT 1: Frank Vogel is back on the market. Should the Lakers inquire?



SEGMENT 2: How Vogel is an inkblot test that helps contextualize every other option.

SEGMENT 3: Do the Lakers have the right processes in place to support *any* hire?



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How unpopular is Darvin Ham among Lakers fans?

Well, for starters, at least according to a poll on the show's YouTube page, fans would rather see Phil Jackson return—nearly 79 year old projector of intense "these teenagers need to get off my lawn" energy and once insulter of LeBron James Phil Jackson—than give the keys to Mike Budenholzer, who isn't any of those things and has won an NBA title and 50 games in a season multiple times.

Why?

Ham comes from the Budenholzer tree. It would mean firing the student to hire the teacher. And by about 2-1, Lakers fans favor Jackson in this scenario.

Of course, in theory none of this matters. Who cares what fans think, right? Well, the Lakers for starters. And not without cause. After this much churn on the bench, perception is important. Honeymoon periods are going to be very short, and the energy fans project around the new coach will shape coverage and narratives. It's obviously not the only thing, or even the most important thing, for the Lakers to consider, but optics are surely some kind of a factor in their minds.

So if Bud is out, what about Mark Jackson, a still-popular option among many Lakers fans? Not a great idea. We explain why.



HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Phil beats Bud!

SEGMENT 2: Why fan sentiment around the new coach is at least a consideration in El Segundo.

SEGMENT 3: Why Mark Jackson is a bad idea.



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

Monopoly GO!
Get in the game and join your friends. Download MONOPOLY GO! now free on The App Store or Google Play.

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)