Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James planning to re-sign with the Lakers on a two-year, $104 million deal with a no-trade clause and player option on the second season. He also analyzes the Lakers adding Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks to JJ Redick's coaching staff.Jovan covers what LeBron re-signing means, how McMillan and Brooks fit, the ways the Lakers can avoid the second apron, why Max Christie's cap hold -- and not LeBron's -- is actually the key, LA's only path to improvement being a trade...
Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers pivoting to DeMar DeRozan after Klay Thompson turned them down to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.Jovan covers DeMar DeRozan's potential fit with the Lakers, why I don't think he makes much sense next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis given his weaknesses, DeRozan vs. Jerami Grant, how the Lakers could fit Derozan onto the roster, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:22 DeMar DeRoz...
Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Angeles Lakers re-signing restricted free agent Max Christie to a four-year, $32 million deal with a player option on the fourth year.Jovan covers why he thinks this is a good and fair deal for both sides, Christie’s potential, LA’s belief in him for next season and beyond, how the Lakers can clear roster spots, what this could mean for both LeBron James and the use of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, the trade restrictions on Christie’s contract, and...
Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James opting out of his contract and what's next for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.Jovan covers why LeBron opted out, why it helps LA, the possibility of him taking a pay cut, the current roster and financial situation, what I'm hearing about Klay Thompson, how Klay would fit in LA, Max Christie, why the Lakers have no excuses not to upgrade this roster, what an ideal Lakers offseason looks like, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribi...
Jovan Buha reacts to Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell opting into his $18.7 million player option for next season. He also covers Jaxson Hayes opting into his $2.5 million player option for next season.Jovan analyzes Russell's future in Los Angeles, his report for The Athletic that the Lakers are "expected to be aggressive in pursuing Russell-centric trades," the rest of the West making aggressive win-now moves, why the Lakers now have a chance to do the same, what Jaxson Hayes optin...
I react to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting USC guard Bronny James — son of Lakers star LeBron James — with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.Jovan covers the complexities with the Lakers selecting Bronny, his opinion on the backlash, why this is a historic moment, Bronny’s athleticism and defense, why his shot will likely determine his NBA future, the ongoing development plan for Bronny, LA’s potential roster crunch, my thoughts on their two new two-way players and more.If you enjoy this ...
Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.Jovan covers how Knecht could be the steal of the draft, why the Lakers were surprised he fell to them, how they might use him offensively, why JJ Redick is the ideal mentor for him, the potential concerns with Knecht, how LeBron James and Anthony Davis could feel about the Lakers' draft-day inactivity and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rat...
Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Amick of The Athletic — the first two-time guest of the show! — to discuss Sam's reporting on Tuesday about LeBron James and Anthony Davis wanting the Los Angeles Lakers to upgrade the roster with elite talent.Jovan and Sam discuss Sam's story, LeBron’s longstanding desire for a third star, AD wielding his power more recently, players that qualify as upgrades in LeBron and AD's eyes, Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ read on their roster, the potential outcomes if the Lakers ...
Jovan Buha reacts to JJ Redick’s introductory news conference as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.Jovan covers how Redick won his first press conference, what we learned about his coaching philosophies, why the Lakers are prioritizing player development, how Rob Pelinka tempered trade expectations for this week, the clarification we received on the coaching search and hiring process, LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ involvement, and more.If you enjoy this type of NBA content, pleas...
Jovan Buha welcomes Mike Garcia to break down the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2024 NBA Draft.Jovan and Mike discuss the types of players the Lakers will be looking at with the No. 17 pick, why Mike is so high on DaRon Holmes II, if it’s worth trading up for Devin Carter or Ron Holland, other players that could drop to LA at No. 17 or No. 55, Bronny James Jr.’s potential, Zach Edey’s fit, Jalen Hood-Schifino’s role and G League play, Maxwell Lewis, Max Christie’s development and more.If you enj...
Jovan Buha reacts and reports on the news that the Los Angeles Lakers have hired JJ Redick as their next head coach.Jovan covers Redick’s contract, how we got here, potential assistant coaching candidates for Redick’s staff, what we know about Redick as a coach from his interview process, the risk of the hiring, the potential upside, and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:55 How we got here6:10 Potential assistant coaching ca...
Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions in the latest Buha's Block mailbag.Jovan covers why the Lakers aren’t going to trade LeBron James, the potential scenarios in which D’Angelo Russell remains a Laker, what the Arenas provision means for Max Christie’s free agency, if Christie can develop into a 3-and-D rotation wing, DeMar DeRozan’s fit in LA, Jalen Hood-Schifino’s trade value, and more.If you enjoy this type of NBA content, please like, comment and subscribe!Chapters:0:00 I...
Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and Game Theory Podcast to preview the Los Angeles Lakers' plans for the 2024 NBA Draft.Jovan and Sam discuss the passing of Jerry West, the Lakers’ plans at No. 17, the prospects Sam likes in that range, if LA will draft the best player available or for need/position, Zach Edey, Bronny James, LA potentially acquiring another second-round pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis entering Year 2, Max Christie’s free-agency market, Dan Hurley a...
Jovan Buha breaks down Connecticut coach Dan Hurley rejecting the Lakers’ six-year, $70 million contract offer on Monday, June 10, 2024. Jovan analyzes the timeline of events, why this never passed the smell test for me and many others, why this situation reflects poorly on LA, Hurley’s potential leverage play, all of the fallout from the Lakers’ Hurley pursuit, JJ Redick’s standing, his take on the contract offer for Hurley, what’s next and more.If you enjoy this episode, please conside...
Jovan Buha welcomes Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation to break down the Los Angeles Lakers' surprising pursuit of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley.Jovan and Trevor discuss the stunning nature of Thursday’s news, the Lakers’ secrecy during the process, how Hurley could fare at the NBA, what this could signify from a roster-building perspective, why JJ Redick shouldn’t be counted out yet, LA’s biggest team priorities, the potential roster crunch, the reality of the new NBA and more.If you enjoy this epi...
Jovan Buha looks at the Lakers’ current roster and depth chart to assess their five biggest roster priorities this offseason. He then breaks down LA’s needs on the wing, their hole in the backcourt if D’Angelo Russell leaves or is traded, their revolving door of subpar backup bigs, their potential 3-point shooting void, bench wildcards and more.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:23 A look at the roster and depth chart5:43 No. 1: 3...
The Los Angeles Lakers are "zeroing in" on JJ Redick as the "front-runner" for the franchise's next head coaching position, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.Jovan Buha covers why this has been building for weeks, James Borrego's standing, the uncertainty with the assistant coaching staff and the next steps.If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.
Jovan Buha welcomes Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily and the Lakers Lounge podcast to break down the Lakers’ coaching search and roster-building approach and answer a few mailbag questions.Jovan and Anthony discuss the latest on the coaching front, JJ Redick, the assistant coaches the Lakers are looking at, the most likely roster-building path, why LA should go all-in this summer, Darvin Ham interviewing with Golden State, how LA can acquire a better second big, how to build around LeBron James ...
Jovan Buha answers your questions on the coaching search and offseason plans in the latest Buha's Block mailbag.Jovan covers the Los Angeles Lakers’ most likely roster-building route this offseason, how strong the JJ Redick coaching rumblings are, how Mikal Bridges would fit, the best non-star targets for LA, the best role players around a hypothetical LeBron James/Anthony Davis/Trae Young core, the need for more frontcourt size and athleticism, if Zach Edey makes sense if the Lakers keep the...
With the conference finals underway, here is one lesson for the Los Angeles Lakers from each finalist.Jovan Buha covers the impact of Minnesota’s size and length (and especially their frontcourt), Dallas’ trade-deadline activity turning their season around and showing you can significantly improve without acquiring a star, Boston’s 3-point volume and one of the most decisive trends of the playoffs, Indian’s all-in trade for Pascal Siakam and the importance of finding a star that complements y...