Lakers Lounge

The Lakers are still canvassing the league for the starting center upgrade they know they need. Anthony discusses that, then takes questions from the live audience.

Anthony and Raj figured this would be a nice, one hour trip through the NBA draft, but boy did ESPN and Adam Silver laugh at those plans. Still, it was all worth it in the end, as the Lakers somehow wound up with the exact player Anthony hardly even dared to hope for.

Anthony and Raj briefly discuss how they thought the Lakers would use the pick at the onset of the draft. They also run through some of the options the Lakers still have at the center position but how tough the summer has been in that regard to this point.

The Lakers believed Giannis would consider them an option and, as it turns out, weren't on the list of teams he'd extend with. Anthony details an intel issue that keeps popping up. He then offers up the latest that he's heard about LeBron James' future with the Lakers.

Walker Kessler, Payton Watson, Jalen Duren, Tari Eason... All guys who make a lot of sense for the Lakers. Anthony explains why the risk in signing them is probably too much to take lightly for the Lakers.

Anthony and Raj have a discussion about Jaylen Brown as a potential target, then FINALLY get to react to the Lakers making their pick in this year's first round... and Anthony was PUMPED. Cam Carr is legit and exactly the type of player the Lakers need on the perimeter.

Honestly, buckle in. This one goes ALL over the place.

Giannis hadn't been traded when they recorded this (he eventually was dealt, to be clear), and the Lakers never factored seriously into his pursuit. What should Lakers fans make of that?

Rob has made every excuse in the book to this point. That won't fly this summer if it isn't an outright success.

The Lakers promised Luka Doncic a lot this summer. His opt-out opportunity is sooner than you think. So... is his eventual departure something the Lakers have to actually be concerned about? Anthony and Harrison both think so, if this summer doesn't go exceedingly well.

Over the weekend, Anthony reported the Lakers had spoken to the Pistons about Isaiah Stewart and Bucks about Kel'el Ware to check on their prices in the event Giannis went to Miami. Marc Stein reported he hadn't heard that and the internet ran with that to conclude Anthony didn't know anything. So, Harrison and Anthony discuss the situation, how reporting works and the media literacy needed to nav...

Anthony gives a behind-the-scenes look at how information spread about Giannis maybe getting traded, then definitely not getting traded and where everyone goes from here. The Lakers checked in on Isaiah Stewart and Kel'el Ware, so Anthony details that info and the more important thing to take from that situation. Another beat reporter wrote about the pressure the Lakers are feeling from Luka Donci...

For a good little minute Saturday, word in league circles was that a Giannis trade was imminent. Anthony explains what he thinks was going on there, then dives into his reporting on Isaiah Stewart and Kel'el Ware as potential targets.

Rob Pelinka's job might be riding on his ability to add the caliber and type of center Luka Doncic is asking for. Anthony explains that situation and why we stand to benefit from it.

Lakers fans should root on Luka Doncic and his camp as they apply pressure to Rob Pelinka and his front office to build the roster he said he would this summer.

Absolutely packed episode to send us into a critical Father's Day weekend. The guys discuss how they feel about recent reporting around Luka Doncic's demands, Isaiah Stewart being made available, which A-list centers fit Luka's standard and their confidence Rob Pelinka can pull off everything he needs to this summer.

Anthony and Pete set the table for a critical weekend likely filled with all kinds of action, reports and speculation by talking about their love of Beef Stew.

Anthony and Pete react to word coming out of Luka's camp that he's done waiting. They're happy to see this pressure.

Anthony explains the parts of ESPN's reporting on Luka Doncic's preferences/expectations you need to pay extra close attention to and give his thoughts on what it all means. He then updates the LeBron James and Austin Reaves situations, and discusses how he sees these three players' summers playing out.

Anthony reacts to the reporting about Luka Doncic wanting an "A-list" center on the heels of Doncic going on the record with the kind of player he prefers at that position. One quote in particular leads Anthony to believe this is Doncic (or his camp, at the very least) making it crystal clear what's on the line this summer.

Anthony asks the question we're all wondering: If this is indeed Luka Doncic applying pressure, will it work? He has a back-and-forth with the audience about LeBron James that leads to a pretty classic rant. Sorry, Tobias Harris.

The Lakers need to add a legit starting caliber center this summer. Some might be available using different pathways. Anthony lays out some options and how they'd be acquired, then outlines how likely each option might be.

After explaining how critical it is that the Lakers land a center, Anthony starts with one familiar name, and one we haven't discussed much before.

Anthony rolls through some options further down the list as well as some draft prospects the Lakers could land if their primary targets aren't available.

For ages, the discussion of hometown discounts in the NBA were always owner propaganda. Now, with the owners having succeeded in putting essentially a hard cap into place, the discussion has come back up again. Jalen Brunson taking less objectively helped the Knicks. Is it fair to hope your team's superstar does the same? Anthony and Harrison hash this subject out.