Andy and Brian Kamenetzky on the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA, pop culture, and anything else coming to mind. The Kamenetzky's have covered the Lakers for over a decade, for ESPN.com, ESPN Radio and the L.A. Times. They are frequent contributors to Lakers coverage on Spectrum Sportsnet, as well as The Athletic.
https://art19.com/shows/land-o-lakers
episode 6: The Lakers in Free Agency Limbo, Klay Gets Hurt, and the Worst Sign and Trade Ever
The NBA Draft has come and gone, and the Kamenetzky Brothers celebrate with a crossover episode of the Late Night Happy Hour and the Land O'Lakers Podcast. What were the big surprises of Draft night?
Unfortunately, the biggest story didn't involve a trade or a potential free agent signing, but an injury. Golden State guard Klay Thompson was injured playing pickup ball in L.A. (this, people should know, is a totally normal activity for NBA players in the offseason) and there are fears the damage could be significant. What happens to the Western Conference if Thompson misses significant time, or even a second straight season? It's good for the Lakers, but horrible for the NBA. Which, ultimately, is bad for the Lakers, too.
What about the trades on Wednesday? Philadelphia got better, as did Dallas. The Clippers swapped shooters. Did anyone pull closer to the Lakers at the top of the heap?
Milwaukee has tried... but now a big sign-and-trade for Sacramento's Bogdan Bogdanovic has fallen through because apparently nobody checked to see if Bogdanovic actually wants to sign with the Bucks? I mean, really? This has a chance to be one of the more infamous, ignominious moments in NBA transaction history. No matter how it turns out.
Finally, the Lakers (like the rest of the league) kick off free agency on Friday, and nobody knows yet how much they'll have available to spend, in part because they have so many players who might opt out of current deals, or choose to stay. Which players do they need most? And should Dwight Howard's comments this week about wanting to get paid worry the Lakers, who reportedly want him back?
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