NBA free agency isn’t over, but it’s mostly over for the Lakers. Save a 14th spot likely to go to a center, and a 15th spot likely to stay open until the Lakers decide it needs to be filled later in the year, the Lakers basically filled out the roster in the first two days of free agency.
To review:
Brought back Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell on contracts that are all ranging from very reasonable to excellent values.
Signed Miami G Gabe Vincent (to replace Dennis Schröder), veteran F Taurean Prince, C Jaxson Hayes, and F Cam Reddish, who has been linked to the Lakers for so long this felt like an inevitability.
All of this done going the route of using the big exception and allowing themselves to be hard capped at the first apron (about $172 million). for what it’s worth, even after they bring in their 14th guy, the Lakers will still have some wiggle room beneath that ceiling, which could definitely come in handy down the road. They brought back the core players that would really constitute continuity, something Rob Pelinka said the team valued. They added some upside, and balance to the roster (letting Prince fill some of the shooting lost with Lonnie Walker and Malik Beasley, but from a position of greater need, and also providing versatility that protects some of Jared Vanderbilt’s shortcomings).
Any big criticisms?
Did the Lakers sign the right guys, now that the dust has settled? Anyone they should have targeted instead? (Like Bruce Brown last seasons?)
Finally, Jake Madison, host of Locked On Pelicans, stops by to give a deep scouting report on Hayes. What went wrong in New Orleans that could be corrected with a change of scenery in Los Angeles? Can the Lakers get out of him what the Pelicans couldn’t? Especially since he’s just a cog here, albeit an important one, as the only backup C on the roster (currently)?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Free agency is over for the Lakers (more or less). So how did they do?
SEGMENT 2: Did the Lakers miss out on better opportunities?
SEGMENT 3: Scouting Jaxson Hayes with Jake Madison of Locked On Pelicans.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.
PrizePicks
First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON
FanDuel
Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.
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)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOLakers?sid=YouTube
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
Subscribe to the Locked On Lakers Podcast
📲 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnLakers
📲 Follow the Kamenetzkys: https://twitter.com/KamBrothers
#Lakers #LosAngelesLakers #LebronJames #AnthonyDavis #NBA
47 Comments
Yes Lakers won free agency and IMO should be a Top 3 seed out West, This team is deep and well put together, No excuses this year they should be good out the gate!! Just pray LBJ and AD can at least play 65 games together in the regular season, I know we will get some management missed games, Back to Backs etc.. all good but just play enough to get in the loffs and be together and mesh well 👌
Didn't Jaxson get charged with domestic violence?
Plumlee or Yuthsheven from heat again🎉
A drama free offseason incoming from the Lakers? Color me impressed
Andy summarized the free agency outcome for the Lakers quite succintly. 👍👌
Could you elucidate on the following questions that I have raised in the past?-
1. The Lakers were a minus 5 in rebounding differential per game the last 2 rounds of the playoffs (the 1st round doesn't count since the Grizz were missing their big men). Have the Lakers addressed this key issue from last season? and the obvious need for big men backup for AD?
2. Lakers had issues closing games last season. Did they address this? or does it as always fall on LBJ and AD. Maybe Reaves graduates into this role?…
3. Have we made up our shooting deficit enuf with the recalibration of our roster?…do we have a reliable sniper in crunch situations that u can run a play for?
We have improved our talent depth and size + defense on the perimeter for sure….but to be a legit contender, we have to address the above points convincingly….
Jake did a good job in summarizing Hayes' last 4 yrs as a player and his perspective is quite cogent and balanced. I must laud your choice of guests on the show….keep up the good work 👍
Jaxson Hayes has great pedigree and hopefully can improve with a change of scenario with mentoring by veteran leadership on the Lakers that Pels never have had….despite bringing Mccullum onboard
I've been a bitter critic of Rob pelinka for years but I have to give the man credit for doing an excellent job. It seems that he has finally learned.
By the end of the season Gabe Vincent will be starting and his contract is going to look like a gross underpay.
Have U Ever Asked Urself Would The Lakers Had Beat The Nuggets If They Still Had Malik Monk?
I honestly feel stupid I ever doubted Rob Pelinka and was one of the fools calling for his firing before the deadline after the Lakers didn't get Kyrie. idk about anyone else but anyone who was tight with Kobe like that is alright. Lakers will be in good hands once LeBron goes off for his next chapter to play with Bronny
Let's make it 20k to 100k and beyond 🔥
We got worst
Castleton vs Hayes, who gets more playing time at the end of year?
What people don't understand is Phil handy he's the best making Young basketball players better and taking them to their full potential
we know the formula from 2020. two athletic bigs that can jump out of the gym, protect the rim and run in transition. we got one; hopefully lebron and AD have a positive influence on Hayes
I can't wait to see Phil handy improve cam reddish
When our point of reference of a bad contract were mozgoz and deng, the contracts given out this offseason are spectacular.
I would’ve like to see Yuta Watanabe for his 3 point shooting, height, and length.
I might be the only one, but I liked Lonnie Walker and think he is going to become a really good player.
Had we made Dennis a priority and signed him first, Gabe Vincent would not have been necessary. He was worth the full $12M. A proven player, better defender and the same 3 point shooting percentage.
whats the meaning of the flaming elmo?
Jaxson Hayes is a way better Damien Jones.
Christian wood if possible
You know its an A+ free agency when the worst signing they had is still considered a good signing, The Rui signing.
Based on history, is Hayes and Castleton enough when AD goes out 20-30 games? Are they enough when AD needs to rest against Jokic? Lakers should have tried harder to get Brook Lopez
Haven't kept shooter shooting in Los Angeles
I hope the starting PG would not anymore a debate of who will start and come off the bench.. I like what we did this free agency but so sad that we not resign Schroder & Walker.. I hope this coming days Rob Pelinka prefer to bring back Thompson & Bamba and let go Max Christie or replace him with better player bcoz imagine if Reaves became injured he will be fill that spot and do you think he can overcome great SG of other teams thats why i like Walker than him.. We already have JHS, Lewis & 2 great two way players..
Quick answer.. no center, (a real center) no Gabriel, no, at the Moment is not a win.. and if, DLo is not eligible for a trade for the year(I'm not sure) it's a Lost.. small particolars Who make a huge difference..
They need to bring back d Howard for backup center. He was a plus on the floor with lakers his last 2 times he was there. He no his role and he fits
Knowing the Lakers were in the need for a versatile backup center for Davis, I was hoping the Lakers would draft Colin Castleton with their 2nd round pick — so I was thrilled when they still got Castleton even after using their 2nd round pick. Good to have a 6'11" 250 pound center — comparable in size/weight to Zubac, Ayton, Marc Gasol, Tim Duncan, Karl-Anthony Towns — and a talent who can score, rebound, and block. Signing USA Today's 2023 Defensive Player of the Year outside of the draft — who averaged 16 points, 7.7 boards, and 3 blocks a game for the Gators — was a steal. Castleton was named as only one of nine 2023 First Team All-SEC players.
I see Jaxson as a JaVale McGee type potentially but we need a soild vet thats around 6'11 260 to finish the roster.
No need for another center I say give Colin Castleton some minutes as the 3rd backup center
The Lakers signed Vincent, before Schroeder signed with Toronto. So, it's clear to me that Vincent was signed to replace either Schroeder or D-Lo. It ended up being Schroeder.
Essentially, the Lakers deemed Vincent to be better than Schroeder and never intended to re-sign Schroeder.
No Vincent is better than scroder.
I knew Reeves was gonna come back on s discount when I started seeing billboards of him pop up all over L.A We're grateful
rob /fo. did well .(what was necessary no over spending on a "star")…Lakers (with Phil ) can develop the younger players….
I think a min center (potentially castleton on a non guaranteed) and beaseley should be brought back.
Having 15 man roster allows us to have 3 two way roster spots.
Plus beasely on a contract under 10m is a tradable asset
U could have left madison where he was, he probably was talkin shit bout lakers last few years
Lakers are not done they still could trade couple players for another solid big man 😅! Five of these guys might not even play tradable assets!!!
Prince fills a hole for us but I'm honestly not sure if Vincent is an upgrade from Schroeder. I'm not sure if Hayes is an upgrade from Bamba. I'm overall not entirely sure if this roster is improved. Time will tell.
Good morning! Great show!! Continue 🎉🎉🎉 ..GO LAKERS ** what about bringing Thompson back for one more big man with experience?..
Pelinka has a job! He is trying trade scenarios for Dame despite his early on comments we have more to offer without gutting our core the price isn’t sky high now that all the teams have spent up most of their money!
whos excited for the lakers summer league ??? im definitely is
I think Prince will take Vando starting job. He better offensively! 3&D
Lakers win the 2023 free agency A+
Brian, you're my hero. I've observed "analysts" for 50 years and your insight into the significance of the Prince signing. Recognition of the "linchpin" nature of the acquisition can not be overstated. Anybody can state the obvious, takes a pro to trek thru the weeds. Good job.
First of all who has pelicans developed that has been good or an all star? Watch he excel with our staff😂
Hey I agree good offseason . But idk if lakers out of the woods yet it’s early in the offseason. In my opinion Prince is more of Lonnie walker replacement. He was getting more burn than beasely and Troy who were essentially out of the rotation.
Now it falls on Coach Ham. Pundits keep giving this guy the benefit of the doubt. No more excuses, no more blaming the players & not this coach. I don't. I truly believe that he will screw up this roster because he is incompetent, sadly! I just hope that the players are not blamed for the complete failure of this horrible coach.