Lakers Lounge

As Anthony has mentioned over the course of the summer so far, Deandre Ayton is going to opt in, and Marcus Smart is going to opt out. He explains what both decisions mean for the Lakers, then dives into an interesting situation with Nikola Jokic.

Anthony explains the recent noise about LeBron still waiting for the Lakers' first offer as he prepares for free agency. In Anthony's eyes, the situation hasn't changed. He wraps with a lengthy Q&A with the live audience.

Anthony runs through a slew of rumors, buzz and updates on some of the centers most closely or most idealistically linked to the Lakers. Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler? Not realistic, but certainly ideal options. Myles Turner and Mitchell Robinson? More realistic, but not exactly inspiring. We head into a (hopefully) busy weekend with a Q&A, too.

Anthony reacts to a fascinating trade between Minnesota and Charlotte, then explains why it may have hurt the Lakers' chances at landing the center they need. He then breaks down some of the options he's heard at center and dives into a nice, long Q&A with the live audience.

The Hornets and Wolves pulled off a shocking trade, exchanging (among other players and assets) LaMelo Ball for Naz Reid. This fundamentally changes Minnesota and, more importantly for the Lakers, takes two center options off the board.

Anthony offers up a couple hypotheticals at the center position that hopefully outline what the Lakers' options are right now. It doesn't feel great, right now.

Fans are past the point of restlessness and they're wondering at what point Rob Pelinka would feel the heat. One listener did push back somewhat, giving Pelinka's credentials, which led to an analogy that gave him a super awkward realization.

Austin got PAID. Cam Carr is legit. The Lakers still need a center. Can they find one in the second round, if they get there?

The Lakers and Austin Reaves are in agreement on a four-year max. Anthony breaks it down, as well as the differing information he has on the timeline compared to what's out there nationally. Everything happened so fast last night that Anthony hadn't given a full Cam Carr scouting report, so he does that.

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.