Lakers Lounge

Anthony and Raj have loved this Spurs-Thunder series. Anthony can't believe how much he likes this Spurs team, though that might have more to do with how much he hates this Thunder squad.

Anthony once again makes the case for Giannis, this time to Raj -- who is against the idea. Anthony says he's gonna keep receipts on this one.

Anthony and Raj wrap up the episode with some questions from the live audience, who all agreed Spurs-Thunder feels like the finals. Are we ever going to see the west properly represented in the playoffs by way of 1-16 seeding? (no, is the answer -- and it sucks)

Anthony and Harrison's annoyance with Giannis' will-he, won't-he ask for a trade has come full circle because of the caliber of basketball the Lakers would have to play to compete with the likes of OKC and San Antonio. Anthony makes the case for trading for Giannis on several levels, including as a means to convince LeBron to take a little less.

Anthony has watched these playoffs and walked away from them so far wondering how the Lakers can bring in the kind of upper tier talent that would bring them closer to the classes of the league. He can't believe he's making this case either, but what about Giannis?

Anthony makes the case for Giannis with an additional benefit being value contracts the Lakers would sign if free agents look to latch onto a contending Lakers team.

More often than not, owners don't let their front offices go straight into a rebuild after trading a superstar. If that trend continues, the Lakers don't have much of a chance at Giannis. If Milwaukee does accept their new reality, then a Lakers package makes some sense.

Anthony explains why there was a bit of a break between episodes, then discusses Luke Doncic finishing so far behind the top three in MVP voting results. From there, he offers up some macro-level thoughts on the teams left heading into the conference finals. Finally, he opens the iTunes mailbag and answers some questions and comments from the live chat.

Anthony uses Luka finishing so far behind in the MVP voting results to explain why he's so fed up with this process on the whole.

Anthony explains why he'd be shocked to see Austin Reaves anywhere other than back with the Lakers and then segues from there to a discussion about how the Lakers will need to build around he and Luka Doncic.

Anthony has seen the comments since the season ended and explains why just letting guys walk isn't in the Lakers' best interests heading into the summer. No, they don't need to run it back either, but a good offseason will need to feature more nuance.

Anthony and Jovan look back on last season after he realized he never really has to this point. Was last year a success? Well, kind of. Mostly, sure, but only kind of. From there, they dive into the top stories facing the Lakers this summer: LeBron's future, Austin's contract and how they'll need to improve the roster around them.

In most ways, the Lakers had a fairly successful season. They won more games. They advanced further in the playoffs. Key figures took tangible steps forward. And yet... there's this nagging voice in the back of Anthony's head telling him it was solid, but...

Anthony has believed a while now that the Lakers need to start at center when upgrading this roster, but Jovan makes a solid case for starting on the wing. Before that, they wrap up their LeBron convo and try to figure out the ideal Austin Reaves contract.

Anthony and Harrison marvel at the newest dramatic morsels from ESPN about LeBron James and the Lakers. Unfortunately for Harrison, every time he laughs, he is thrown directly into a coughing fit and, well, there's a lot of laughing in this one.

Where does LeBron put all the game balls he's gotten over the years?

Anthony outlines what LeBron has done for the Lakers and how ridiculous it is that Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss have somehow convinced themselves he's the problem.

Anthony has been thinking about this basically since the series ended so he asked Harrison about it. On one hand, the Lakers could obviously use the injection of talent. On the other, Giannis is just so annoying.

Anthony plays the vast majority of yesterday's joint presser, in which JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka summed up this Lakers season and set the tone for this summer.

Rob Pelinka spoke more eloquently and positively about LeBron in today's presser than he has in years.

Rob Pelinka used his favorite key word again, but Anthony noted a difference in the way the Lakers PBO talked about it.

JJ Redick was asked about the ways he has grown as a coach. He and Rob Pelinka answer that question, and Anthony uses it as an opportunity to discuss the ways Redick still needs to develop.

Anthony opens the door to whoever wants to give their thoughts on this series and Lakers season. He gives his own thoughts on those subjects. He then answers questions from the chat on... those same subjects.

A Thunder fan hopped on to give his props to the Lakers for their fight in this series, so Anthony also asked him to explain what's gone into this Thunder culture and how long it took to arrive here.

A fan hopped on the show to make the case for a gap year and for LeBron to head back east. Anthony gives his responses on both fronts (while understanding where those stances might have come from).