Locked On Lakers podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Hosts Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, who have covered the Purple and Gold since 2005 for media outlets including the LA Times, ESPN and The Athletic, offer traditional journalism, informal commentary, and offbeat humor to provide expert, local analysis. Locked On Lakers takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Lakers locker room and all over the NBA. The Locked On Lakers podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.
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episode 1475: LeBron James Signs a Two-Year Contract Extension, and the Lakers Have a Schedule!
Wednesday was a busy one for Lakers news. Big enough that the NBA's schedule drop wasn't even close to the top news of the day coming out of El Segundo. Instead, it's LeBron James! He and the Lakers have agreed to a two-year contract extension (with a player option for the 2024-25 season) that will keep him with the team for at least two more seasons. This puts to bed in relatively short order any potential for the future of James and the Lakers to become a storyline through this season, and gives both sides a little bit of certainty going forward.
So why did LeBron agree to stay? Is he confident the Lakers front office is moving things in a positive direction? Does it mean a trade for Russell Westbrook is soon to follow? Does he just like it in Los Angeles, and doesn't want to uproot and/or leave his family for a couple seasons, before potentially doing the same again in a couple seasons if the chance to play with his son presents itself?
Unfortunately for Lakers fans, this one doesn't really move the needle on an impending deal all that much. But LeBron knows they're trying, and that their hands are somewhat tied by the realities of Brooklyn's trade situation (when it comes to Kyrie Irving, at least) where there won't be a resolution until Kevin Durant is dealt. But at the least, the Lakers won't feel like they need to do anything dumb or panicky just to satisfy James.
Meanwhile, what does the schedule reveal? Well, for starters, it's really hard at the top. Tons of games against the Western Conference, most against teams expected to be in the playoff mix. Is that a good thing for a team that needs to get off to a good start?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: LeBron signs an extension. Did the terms surprise you?
SEGMENT 2: What does the extension mean for the Lakers going forward? Does it give them enough clarity to make sound decisions?
SEGMENT 3: Does the news mean a trade is coming? And how about that schedule?
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