Buha's Block with Jovan Buha

Jovan Buha welcomes Andy Kamenetzky from Locked On Lakers to examine where things stand with the Los Angeles Lakers as the summer winds down. Jovan and Andy discuss LA’s offseason, patience vs. urgency in making a consolidation trade to improve the backend of the roster, the best way to build around LeBron James and Anthony Davis in 2024, why Jerami Grant is such an intriguing option, the potentia...

Jovan Buha explains why he thinks the Los Angeles Lakers' projected win total -- 43.5 or 44.5 wins, depending on the sportsbook -- is too low. Jovan discusses the coaching upgrade to JJ Redick and his new staff, the Lakers' unlucky health breaks over the past few seasons, the potential for internal improvement, last season's finish with Rui Hachimura as the start, trade possibilities, the bottom o...

Jovan Buha poses one question for each Los Angeles Lakers player for next season. Jovan discusses LeBron James’ longevity, Anthony Davis’ dominance, D’Angelo Russell’s future, Jarred Vanderbilt’s offense, Gabe Vincent returning to his Miami form, Max Christie potentially taking a jump, Dalton Knecht’s defense, Christian Wood vs. Jaxson Hayes, the problematic backend of the roster, and much more. I...

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions on trade updates from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Jovan covers the latest trade intel, if the Lakers’ front office still believes in thus roster, LA’s patient approach, the most likely trade outcome, big and small realistic trades, roster priorities, Max Christie’s potential next season, Cam Johnson’s fit, Serbia vs. Puerto Rico, the Laker F...

Jovan Buha reacts to Team USA beating Canada 86-72 in Wednesday’s Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas, NV. He also responds to the Los Angeles Lakers’ 80-76 loss to the Miami Heat in the finale of the California Classic in San Francisco, CA. Jovan covers Team USA’s win over Team Canada, why Anthony Davis should be starting at center over Joel Embiid, his ideal starting five (and what he thinks th...

Jovan Buha takes stock of the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster one week into 2024 free agency. Jovan covers LA's roster and cap situation, their depth chart, Rui Hachimura vs. Jarred Vanderbilt for the starting small forward spot, positional caveats, why the backend of the roster needs improvement, the potential addition of Gary Trent Jr., where LA ranks in the crowd West, the primary reasons for optimi...

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and taking a $2.7 million discount. He also analyzes the Lakers' 108-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the opening game of the California Classic. Jovan covers what LeBron taking a discount means for LA, the Lakers' options now, the best-case scenario, Maxwell Lewis' impressive finishing, the learning curve for Bronny James...

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James planning to re-sign with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million deal with a no-trade clause and player option on the second season. He also analyzes the Lakers adding Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks to JJ Redick's coaching staff. Jovan covers what LeBron re-signing means, how McMillan and Brooks fit, the ways the Lakers can avoid the second apron, why Max Christie'...

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers pivoting to DeMar DeRozan after Klay Thompson turned them down to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Jovan covers DeMar DeRozan's potential fit with the Lakers, why I don't think he makes much sense next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis given his weaknesses, DeRozan vs. Jerami Grant, how the Lakers could fit Derozan onto the roster, and more. If you enjoy...

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Angeles Lakers re-signing restricted free agent Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million deal with a player option on the fourth year. Jovan covers why he thinks this is a good and fair deal for both sides, Christie’s potential, LA’s belief in him for next season and beyond, how the Lakers can clear roster spots, what this could mean for both LeBron James and t...

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James opting out of his contract and what's next for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. Jovan covers why LeBron opted out, why it helps LA, the possibility of him taking a pay cut, the current roster and financial situation, what I'm hearing about Klay Thompson, how Klay would fit in LA, Max Christie, why the Lakers have no excuses not to upgrade this roster, what a...

Jovan Buha reacts to Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell opting into his $18.7 million player option for next season. He also covers Jaxson Hayes opting into his $2.5 million player option for next season. Jovan analyzes Russell's future in Los Angeles, his report for The Athletic that the Lakers are "expected to be aggressive in pursuing Russell-centric trades," the rest of the West making...

I react to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting USC guard Bronny James — son of Lakers star LeBron James — with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Jovan covers the complexities with the Lakers selecting Bronny, his opinion on the backlash, why this is a historic moment, Bronny’s athleticism and defense, why his shot will likely determine his NBA future, the ongoing development plan for Bronny, LA’s...

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Jovan covers how Knecht could be the steal of the draft, why the Lakers were surprised he fell to them, how they might use him offensively, why JJ Redick is the ideal mentor for him, the potential concerns with Knecht, how LeBron James and Anthony Davis could feel about the...

Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Amick of The Athletic — the first two-time guest of the show! — to discuss Sam's reporting on Tuesday about LeBron James and Anthony Davis wanting the Los Angeles Lakers to upgrade the roster with elite talent. Jovan and Sam discuss Sam's story, LeBron’s longstanding desire for a third star, AD wielding his power more recently, players that qualify as upgrades in LeBron and...

Jovan Buha reacts to JJ Redick’s introductory news conference as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovan covers how Redick won his first press conference, what we learned about his coaching philosophies, why the Lakers are prioritizing player development, how Rob Pelinka tempered trade expectations for this week, the clarification we received on the coaching search and hiring process,...

Jovan Buha welcomes Mike Garcia to break down the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2024 NBA Draft. Jovan and Mike discuss the types of players the Lakers will be looking at with the No. 17 pick, why Mike is so high on DaRon Holmes II, if it’s worth trading up for Devin Carter or Ron Holland, other players that could drop to LA at No. 17 or No. 55, Bronny James Jr.’s potential, Zach Edey’s fit, Jalen Hoo...

Jovan Buha reacts and reports on the news that the Los Angeles Lakers have hired JJ Redick as their next head coach. Jovan covers Redick’s contract, how we got here, potential assistant coaching candidates for Redick’s staff, what we know about Redick as a coach from his interview process, the risk of the hiring, the potential upside, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribin...

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions in the latest Buha's Block mailbag. Jovan covers why the Lakers aren’t going to trade LeBron James, the potential scenarios in which D’Angelo Russell remains a Laker, what the Arenas provision means for Max Christie’s free agency, if Christie can develop into a 3-and-D rotation wing, DeMar DeRozan’s fit in LA, Jalen Hood-Schifino’s trade value,...

Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and Game Theory Podcast to preview the Los Angeles Lakers' plans for the 2024 NBA Draft. Jovan and Sam discuss the passing of Jerry West, the Lakers’ plans at No. 17, the prospects Sam likes in that range, if LA will draft the best player available or for need/position, Zach Edey, Bronny James, LA potentially acquiring another second-round pick, Jale...

Jovan Buha breaks down Connecticut coach Dan Hurley rejecting the Lakers’ six-year, $70 million contract offer on Monday, June 10, 2024.  Jovan analyzes the timeline of events, why this never passed the smell test for me and many others, why this situation reflects poorly on LA, Hurley’s potential leverage play, all of the fallout from the Lakers’ Hurley pursuit, JJ Redick’s standing, his take on...

Jovan Buha welcomes Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation to break down the Los Angeles Lakers' surprising pursuit of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley. Jovan and Trevor discuss the stunning nature of Thursday’s news, the Lakers’ secrecy during the process, how Hurley could fare at the NBA, what this could signify from a roster-building perspective, why JJ Redick shouldn’t be counted out yet, LA’s biggest team...

Jovan Buha looks at the Lakers’ current roster and depth chart to assess their five biggest roster priorities this offseason. He then breaks down LA’s needs on the wing, their hole in the backcourt if D’Angelo Russell leaves or is traded, their revolving door of subpar backup bigs, their potential 3-point shooting void, bench wildcards and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribi...

The Los Angeles Lakers are "zeroing in" on JJ Redick as the "front-runner" for the franchise's next head coaching position, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Jovan Buha covers why this has been building for weeks, James Borrego's standing, the uncertainty with the assistant coaching staff and the next steps. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Jovan Buha welcomes Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily and the Lakers Lounge podcast to break down the Lakers’ coaching search and roster-building approach and answer a few mailbag questions. Jovan and Anthony discuss the latest on the coaching front, JJ Redick, the assistant coaches the Lakers are looking at, the most likely roster-building path, why LA should go all-in this summer, Darvin Ham intervi...