There are a lot of ways teams are building winners around the NBA right now. One of the big topics of conversation is depth.

Oklahoma City is already in the Finals. They've got depth in almost cartoonish quantities. Indiana is expected to join them, and have plenty of depth as well.

The Lakers, as you may have heard, are lacking in that department. Whether it was a good idea or not, teams with reliable depth don't go entire halves without making a substitution. (And even had they stuck a couple guys on the floor, it would only have been for a few minutes.) Moreover, it's not just that the Lakers lack depth in numbers, they also have too much redundancy.

So how do they fix it?

With a limited number of assets, do they try and create a group with higher levels of more cohesive talent at the top of the roster? Do they try to give themselves more viable options 1-9, even if it means a little less high end talent up top?

What's the best formula here to build around Luka?

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers need talent. They need depth. They need more coherent pieces.

SEGMENT 2: How does Pelinka approach the issue?

SEGMENT 3: One big thing the Lakers are missing.

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After a season of upheaval, Lakers need to figure out how to create an identity heading into next year. The good news is that Rob Pelinka and Co. don't have to do a lot of thinking to figure out the core of that identity - It's Luka Dončić. The identity is a team that plays hard, plays defense, plays unselfishly. Sure. All teams say that. But the path to that is figuring out how to create those attributes with players that fit beautifully around Luka.

It's a heliocentric model, where Dončić is the sun.

LeBron James, the former sun, can work in this world (and have plenty of celestial moments himself). Austin Reaves? It can work, if the other pieces adjust accordingly. But right now the team is so out of balance, some changes will need to be made in order to create a more coherent structure.

With that in mind... how about a blockbuster (hypothetical) trade, where EVERYTHING that isn't nailed to the floor and can be traded goes, in the interest of bringing more balance to the roster. Get a center, get a wing, and so on.

Is this monster 3-team deal Andy constructed a good blueprint for LA?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: What kind of identity should the Lakers construct around Luka?

SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers create better top end talent AND better depth?

SEGMENT 3: How about this (hypothetical) blockbuster?

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Door Dash
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• Valid only at participating Wingstop locations. Fees (including service fee), taxes, and gratuity still apply. Orders must have a minimum subtotal of $20, excluding taxes and fees. Offer valid on 4/15/25-6/22 /25 or while supplies last. Valid for one (1) promotional redemption per customer. DoubleDash promotions apply only to your DoubleDash add-on order, not your primary order. DoubleDash orders are not valid for the purchase of alcohol. No cash value. Non-transferable. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code WINGSTOP50 to redeem. See full terms and conditions at drd.sh/qnAXuU

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There is virtually no limit to the level of scrutiny Luka Dončić is set to receive this summer around his fitness. So when anyone says anything on the subject that provides some potential insight, it'll get attention. That's the case with Jason Gallagher, a producer of JJ Redick's "Old Man and the Three" Podcast, as well as the "Mind the Game" pod hosted (formerly) by Redick and then and now by LeBron James, appeared on a Dallas sports pod, "The Dumb Zone."

“I’ve heard from folks that are pretty honest about the conditioning stuff or whatever that Luka has already like begun to clean slate, like starting anew. He’s already like in this mindset of changing a lot about himself. Now, I’ve heard it before, but not from specific people that have been critical of him," Gallagher said.

Obviously that doesn't relay concrete plans or things he's been doing, but if what Gallagher is being told is true, it is an indication that Luka at the very least gets the criticism and understands he can, and needs, to do better in this area than he has over the course of his career. It's critical for his rep, and obviously for the Lakers. Redick ended the season talking about the need for the Lakers to have championship level fitness, and certainly didn't exclude Luka from that, or imply that he's met the bar.

Meanwhile, what can the Lakers learn from teams still in the playoffs?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka is rethinking his approach to conditioning, says one source.

SEGMENT 2: Does it matter why Luka gets into shape?

SEGMENT 3: What can the Lakers learn from teams still in the playoffs?

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LeBron James is now the oldest player in NBA history to garner MVP votes. Wednesday, when the league announced the results, not surprisingly Shai Gilgeous-Alexander walked away with his first trophy, with Nikola Jokic the runner up. But down there in sixth was LeBron James. His first MVP votes came as a 19-year old with the Cavs in his rookie season. And now, he's finished 6th.

Pretty remarkable, and well-deserved after a season where he averaged over 24 points, and almost eight assists and rebounds per game.

So what does this mean going forward? LeBron has now played 141 games over the last two seasons, putting at least some of the durability and health questions to bed... except he's going to turn 41 this year so really, do those questions ever go away? Is it reasonable to expect more of the same from LBJ, especially knowing the team will be built around Luka Dončić, who will be assigned most of the heavy lifting offensively?

Plus, the debate about Shai and foul-hunting consumed NBA social media after the Thunder beat Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Is "the discourse" on to something? Or does everyone need to get offline a little more?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron finishes sixth in MVP voting.

SEGMENT 2: What can LA expect from him going forward?

SEGMENT 3: Shai, the playoffs, officiating and how it all impacts the Lakers.

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The NBA announced its All Rookie squads, and (not surprisingly) Dalton Knecht wasn't among the 10 honored first year players. To his credit, Knecht was relatively close, finishing in a tie for 13th in vote total. It's a fair result for a guy who had a lot of highs and lows over the course of the season. His strong suits were clear (shooting, offense, athleticism) and his weaknesses (defense) equally so.

Now the Lakers, who have already shown a willingness to trade him, have to make a decision this offseason. Is the guy more valuable to them? Or as a lure to fill holes around the roster?

The goal for LA is to build a team that works for Luka Dončić. Knecht fits that profile. He can shoot, he can get to the rim, he can finish above it. On the other hand, he's one of about 2.5 human beings on the roster who have genuine value as players (as opposed to an expiring contract) in a trade (the others being Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura).

So Rob Pelinka, just as he does with Reaves, is going to be confronted with some tough choices about Knecht, too.

Plus... could LeBron actually leave? There's one at least semi-plausible scenario.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Knecht gets some All-Rookie love.

SEGMENT 2: What to do with DK?

SEGMENT 3: Could LeBron really go?

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NBA Squad Show: Conference Finals are set to COLLIDE as New NBA Era changes championship landscape

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder overcome the Minnesota Timberwolves' depth in the Western Conference Finals? As the NBA playoffs heat up, the Thunder's defensive prowess faces a stern test against the Timberwolves, who have been a force in the West all season.

Join Nick Engstad, Doug Norrie, and Ryland Styles as they break down the thrilling Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, and preview the upcoming conference finals. The discussion highlights key players like Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tyrese Haliburton, while exploring how the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement is reshaping team-building strategies.

With insights into the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the evolving NBA landscape.

Tune in for expert analysis and discover how these playoff battles could redefine the league's future.

0:00 Intro: Denver vs OKC Game Seven analysis

5:46 Western Conference Finals: Thunder vs Timberwolves

13:55 Eastern Conference Finals: Pacers vs Knicks

22:08 CBA impact on team building and roster depth

28:16 Draft lottery results and tanking strategies