Lakers Lounge

Listeners keep commenting as if those of us who cover the team aren't aware of Austin (and Luka's) weaknesses, especially defensively. The guys discuss those concerns and what needs to be done to supplement them. And if it does become clear the ceiling on this roster is too low, what can be done to maintain flexibility after Austin's big raise this summer.

Raj stops by for the first time in a little while and, as per usual, the guys wander around in a really fun convo.

Anthony and Raj recap a game three thriller between the Spurs and Knicks. Anthony can't hold back from laughing at a certain someone ruining the Knicks' vibes.

As much as we'd like for the Lakers to be able to play a certain way or for the roster to sit at a certain caliber next season, Anthony thinks the real lesson from these playoffs is how critical organizational culture is. Raj agrees.

If a team is going to reach the heights of those franchises still in real pursuit of a championship, they'll need to develop talent and keep them longer term than the Lakers have.

Anthony and Raj wrap up their conversation with a Q&A with the audience, which included a question about the relationship they'd like to see between the Lakers and their superstar.

This is a loaded episode, which features a discussion about Austin Reaves' contract and the complications it comes with. From there, they get into some new reporting on LeBron's contract and potential destination -- which leads to one of the more fiery debated Pete and Anthony have had in a little while. Anthony offers Pete his thinking on Myles Turner, then they answer some quick questions from t...

Anthony and Pete react to reports that Austin wants his full max salary slot for next season, first by saying, well, don't we all, but then also running through all the ripple effects of this information.

Anthony and Pete rarely disagree to the extent they do in this episode (which also extends into part three).

Anthony spent all last show trying to convince himself about Myles Turner, so now he spends a little while doing the same to Pete. They're still friends!

Anthony has watched enough of these playoffs to come to the realization that the Lakers are going to need to be able to play five-out next year. If they're going to do that, there really aren't many centers on the market with the skillset they'd need. So... sigh ... Myles Turner! No please, come back.

The west is filled to the brim with incredible talent at the center position, both offensively and defensively. Anthony has always felt they need to focus on that spot, but now feels a specific player type is going to be necessary if the Lakers are going to keep up in that positional arms race.

Anthony opens by not exactly celebrating the season Myles Turner had last year but he also stresses that there are not many better realistic options who boast his skillset. He wraps up by diving into the chat for a few questions.

Anthony welcomes Kirk Henderson (Pod Maverick) into The Lounge to discuss the season he watched Luka Doncic have from afar. The guys talk about Doncic's production, the way he's talked about by various media types, the MVP race and ways Doncic could still get better. They also discuss the Maverick's interesting offseason ahead and whether a certain former Laker could ever make a return.

Anthony and Kirk take a look back at the season Luka Doncic had and the bummer of an ending to it. Kirk lobbies for handling Doncic's minutes better, but does grant that doing so is kind of tricky because of the impact he makes while he's on the court.

Anthony and Kirk agree about the most important position teams must prioritize when building around Luka Doncic. They also discuss the Mavericks and whether they've moved on to the point where they can trade with the Lakers again. (please bring us back Max, please)

About an hour before Anthony and Harrison were getting ready to record, news dropped that the Rams had traded for Myles Garrett. The Rams have enjoyed a run of recent success that would normally make them the pride of their sports city, except they share L.A. with the Dodgers, who are vying for a three-peat of their own. So, the guys discuss whether the Lakers are at risk of giving up ground at a...

If so, should we be thanking the Rams for trading for Myles Garrett?

The guys continue their conversation about the state of trust Lakers fans have in the team compared to the Dodgers or Rams, but first, Anthony tells his favorite story from the three-peat Lakers, featuring John Salley and cheap parking.

Anthony noticed something from afar over the weekend as, once again, aggregators did a disservice to their audience by removing context from a reporter's content (in this case, Jovan's). So, as we embark on another summer filled with reporting and speculation, all viewed through the filter of whichever aggregating account you prefer, Anthony and Harrison discuss how they think you can avoid this k...

The finals matchup is set. The Spurs upset the Thunder. The league feels different now than it was a couple weeks ago. Anthony reacts to all of it, then dives into a mailbag focused on closing the gap between where the Lakers are and where the Spurs appear to be going.

Anthony answers a quick question about the Lakers' approach to finding value in free agency and how that might change over time. He also starts a conversation about how this WCF oddly made him more confident in the Luka-led Lakers.

Anthony enjoyed that WCF and found himself thinking throughout the series that it might be a league-altering event. He explains that, then discusses a buy-low wing who a listener is hoping might be available from Milwaukee.

The price on Giannis has fallen far enough that Anthony kinds wondering if we'll see a repeat of what Toronto did with Kawhi. He explains that theory, then wraps up the final couple questions of a packed Q&A.

Anthony gives his thoughts on the anti-tanking measures the NBA took and what they say about the things Adam Silver cares about. He also has an epiphany about the kind of league Silver is working toward.