Jovan Buha reacts to Luka Doncic signing a three-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, Jovan answers all of your Lakers-related questions. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Follow Jovan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovanbuha/ Follow Jovan on X: https://x.com/jovanbuha Follow Jovan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jovanbuha Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:51 Happy birthday to Mama Buha! 2:45 Takeaway No. 1: LA achieves its most crucial offseason objective 5:40 Takeaway No. 2: Luka's public stake in the Lakers is encouraging 7:30 Takeaway No. 3: The Luka Era is here for the foreseeable future 10:01 Q&A 48:18 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Andy Kamenetzky of Locked On Lakers to rank and tier the Western Conference after the dust has settled on the NBA offseason. Jovan and Andy discuss where they think the Lakers stand, whether Denver or Houston can compete with Oklahoma City, the difficulty sifting through and ranking the West, how Luka Doncic's body transformation factors in, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Follow Jovan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jovanbuha Follow Jovan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovanbuha/ Follow Jovan on X: https://x.com/jovanbuha Follow Jovan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jovanbuha Follow Andy on X: https://x.com/KamBrothers Watch/listen to him here: https://www.youtube.com/@LockedOnLakers Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:01 Rules for rankings/tiers + state of the West 5:05 Andy’s Tier 1: OKC 6:25 Jovan’s Tier 1: OKC & DEN 15:28 Andy’s Tier 2.0: HOU 18:38 Andy’s Tier 2.1: DEN & MIN 20:51 Jovan’s Tier 2: HOU, MIN, LAL, LAC & GSW 26:41 Andy’s Tier 2.2: LAL, LAC & GSW 39:13 Why we both have LAL over LAC & GSW 48:52 Andy’s Tier 2.5: MEM, SAS, DAL 49:03 Andy’s Tier 3.0: SAC, POR & NOP 49:07 Andy’s Tier 4.0: UTAH 49:11 Andy’s Hell Tier: PHX 50:29 Jovan’s Tier 3: DAL, SAS & MEM 52:29 Jovan’s Tier 4: SAC, POR, PHX & NOP 54:25 Jovan’s Tier 5: UTAH 54:38 Thoughts on movers + fallers from last ranking 59:43 Additional Lakers/Luka thoughts 1:05:00 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Daman Rangoola to blind rank five reasons for Los Angeles Lakers optimism entering next season. Jovan and Daman discuss Luka Doncic's offseason body transformation, Deandre Ayton's fit, LeBron James' continued excellence, the Lakers' continuity, their ability to still improve the roster, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Follow Jovan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovanbuha/ Follow Jovan on X: https://x.com/jovanbuha Follow Jovan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jovanbuha Follow Daman on X: https://x.com/damanr Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:40 The parameters for our blind ranking 3:03 Reason No. 1: Luka's Revenge SZN 11:19 Reason No. 2: Deandre Ayton addresses LA's center needs 20:06 Reason No. 3: The Lakers can still make a trade 36:11 Reason No. 4: LeBron remains the best No. 2 in the NBA 42:04 Reason No. 5: Roster & coaching continuity from last season 47:51 Honorable mention: Marcus Smart 50:43 Debating our final rankings 53:17 Honorable mention: Jake LaRavia 57:21 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha analyzes the Los Angeles Lakers' signing of buyout guard Marcus Smart. Jovan covers Smart's fit in Los Angeles, his strengths and weaknesses, his spot in the rotation and depth chart, what's next for the Lakers, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:43 Opening thoughts on LA signing Marcus Smart 5:37 Smart scouting report 6:19 Smart's strengths 15:15 Smart's weaknesses 22:34 Why Smart should start over Rui Hachimura 27:41 LA's updated depth chart 29:34 Q&A 1:21:12 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Raj Chipalu to discuss notable Los Angeles Lakers players in NBA summer league. Jovan and Raj analyze Bronny James' offensive development, Dalton Knecht's summer slump, Darius Bazley's chaotic and fun play, the Lakers' open two-way spots, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: ⁠0:00⁠ Intro ⁠1:13⁠ Raj's first summer league as a media member ⁠3:47⁠ Bronny James' offensive development ⁠10:13⁠ Bronny's areas of improvement ⁠14:13⁠ Dalton Knecht's summer struggles ⁠26:23⁠ A potential silver lining for Knecht -- with a caveat ⁠31:35⁠ Darius Bazley's standout play ⁠42:39⁠ LA's open two-way spots ⁠49:35⁠ Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions. He analyzes if Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic is more likely to become a Laker, the odds Luka Doncic passes on LA's extension offer, the Lakers' cap situation if they re-sign Austin Reaves next summer, Marcus Smart vs. Malcolm Brogdon, 3-and-D wing targets for Rui/Gabe/1st, Darius Bazley's unique upside, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:26 Question No. 1: Luka’s comfort going into next season? 8:19 Question No. 2: Who’s more likely between Giannis and Jokic? 14:30 Question No. 3: Any chance Luka passes on the extension? 18:30 Question No. 4: LA’s cap situation if they re-sign AR to $30 million annual deal? 24:39 Question No. 5: Smart to keep AR even with limitations with Luka fit? 26:54 Question No. 6: Marcus Smart or Malcolm Brogdon? 31:37 Question No. 7: Best 3-and-D wing they could trade Rui, Gabe and 1st for? 34:53 Question No. 8: What areas should new ownership invest in? 40:17 Question No. 9: Thoughts on Bazley and Swider? 45:48 Question No. 10: Waiving/stretching new trend with CBA? 49:09 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions. He analyzes the Lakers’ 2027 plans, the optimal perimeter defending starter, the best buyout and free-agent options, if the Lakers are only going to waive Shake Milton and call it an offseason, how far LA can go in the postseason, Dorian Finney-Smith’s departure, anti-Lakers coverage, Andrew Wiggins, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:27 Question No. 1: What’s up with Project 2027? Is Luka OK with that? 6:29 Question No. 2: Does LA need a 1/2 defender or a 3/4 defender? 10:17 Question No. 3: Best buyout/FAs for LA? 16:12 Question No. 4: Will the Lakers waive Shake Milton and call it an offseason? 20:23 Question No. 5: What should LA do if there is no move to make them a contender? 25:40 Question No. 6: How far can the Lakers go in the playoffs? 28:51 Question No. 7: Is the DFS loss even worse now that we know the full terms of his contract? 34:38 Question No. 8: Will Rui remain the starter if they don’t change the roster? 38:39 Question No. 9: Why did DFS pick Houston’s offer over LA’s with only two guaranteed years? 41:06 Question No. 10: Why are people dismissing the Lakers’ Ayton and LaRavia signings? 46:56 Question No. 11: What is the upside and downside of potentially trading for Wiggins? 51:53 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha answers all of your Los Angeles Lakers and NBA questions. Jovan also reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers re-signing Jaxson Hayes to an above-minimum salary, their projected rotation, their roster crunch, what's next for LA, Dalton Knecht's struggles in summer league, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:28 The Lakers re-sign Jaxson Hayes 4:32 What's next with LA and their roster options + BAE? 9:39 Dalton Knecht's summer-league struggles are concerning 14:56 The Lakers' current depth chart + remaining needs 19:26 Q&A 1:29:33 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Khobi Price, Los Angeles Lakers beat writer for the Southern California News Group, to discuss the early returns of the Lakers’ offseason. Jovan and Khobi recap the offseason up to this point, analyze how Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia fit in LA, debate what the Lakers’ biggest remaining needs are in free agency and the trade market, rank and tier the Lakers in the West, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:01 Lakers’ offseason recap (up to this point) 3:48 Assessing the early part of the Lakers’ offseason 15:36 How Deandre Ayton fits in LA 28:29 What Jake LaRavia brings to the Lakers 36:55 LA’s biggest remaining needs 53:29 Where are the Lakers in the West currently? 1:04:45 It’s been too quiet lately around the NBA 1:07:48 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers signing Deandre Ayton on Day 3 of NBA free agency. Joan covers Ayton's fit in Los Angeles, what's next for the Lakers in free agency and on the trade market, their most significant remaining needs, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:11 The Lakers signed DeAndre Ayton to a two-year deal 1:56 How Ayton fits in Los Angeles 7:37 Ayton's friendship with Luka Doncic 9:11 What's next for the Lakers this offseason? 13:36 Adou Thiero injury update 15:21 Q&A 2:05:39 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to Day 2 of NBA free agency for the Los Angeles Lakers, including their continued search for a center in free agency and the trade market, Deandre Ayton's impending decision, Al Horford, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:29 The latest with the Lakers in free agency and on the trade market 9:37 Q&A 2:15:16 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the start of NBA free agency for the Los Angeles Lakers, including LA losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, signing Jake LaRavia to a two-year, $12 million deal, and targeting Deandre Ayton and De'Anthony Melton. If you enjoy this type of NBA content, please subscribe, comment, and like this video. Follow Jovan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovanbuha/ Follow Jovan on X: https://x.com/jovanbuha Follow Jovan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jovanbuha Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:03 DFS leaves the Lakers for the Rockets 3:15 Deandre Ayton & De'Anthony Melton are LA's new top targets 8:15 How LA can recover from the DFS loss 12:35 Q&A 3:08:07 Outro #lakers #losangeleslakers To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the news that LeBron James is opting in to his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. He also reacts to Dorian Finney-Smith declining his $15.4 million player option and becoming a free agent. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:57 Updates: LeBron opts in, DFS opts out, Goodwin's team option, Koloko is RFA 3:33 LeBron's statement after opting in 5:09 What does this mean for LeBron? 8:35 Where could LeBron go? 10:36 Where do the Lakers go from here? 11:45 What's going on with DFS? 17:25 What does all of this mean? 19:42 Luka's extension looms large over LA's offseason 22:31 Q&A 2:00:12 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Great Western Forum -- a new podcast from Jovan Buha, Anthony Irwin, and Pete Zayas at Audacy. Jovan, Anthony and Pete discuss the potential impact of the Lakers' record sale to Mark Walter and the TWG Group, as well as realistic expectations for the Lakers' roster this summer. Later, they are joined by Raj Chipalu and Mike Garcia to discuss the sale, trading for the No. 36 pick to select Adou Thiero, the Lakers' two-way and Exhibit 10 deals, and the offseason. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 3:24 The potential impact of the Lakers' sale 22:55 What are realistic expectations for LA this offseason? 30:09 Raj and Mike join the show 31:45 Raj's reaction to the sale 34:25 Any concerns about scouting being affected by the sale? 35:54 LA's history with landing superstars 39:21 Assimilating the front office under the new ownership 42:29 LA's draft and Adou Thiero 58:39 Closing thoughts 1:06:17 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Adou Theiro with the No. 36 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:12 The Lakers draft Adou Thiero at No. 36 6:12 Q&A 1:05:33 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Mike Garcia (@CanyonDriver) to break down the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2025 NBA Draft. Jovan and Mike discuss the 2025 NBA Draft, including whether the Lakers should trade up, potential center targets such as Khaman Maluach, Thomas Sorber, and Derik Queen, late first-round and early-to-mid second-round prospects, candidates for the No. 55 pick, and the value of the Lakers' trade assets in this draft, among other topics. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:07 Why I’m no longer at The Athletic 7:53 Mike Garcia 8:05 Why is this draft so difficult to assess? 9:28 How has LA’s draft approach changed recently, if at all? 10:43 Can LA trade up to solve its roster issues? 12:47 How would Maluach fit? Worth trading up for? 15:30 Thomas Sorber + favorite late first-round targets 17:16 Any potential 3-and-D wings or guards in 21-to-35 pick range? 19:09 Early-to-mid second-round targets? 21:36 Hidden gems in late second round 22:46 Targets for the No. 55 pick 27:42 Two-way and summer league targets 32:13 Draft compensation value of LA’s future 1st, Dalton Knecht + Rui Hachimura 40:06 What does Mike’s dream draft look like? 42:30 What about Derik Queen? 48:06 Is there some Mark Williams in Maluach’s game? 50:06 Outro 50:46 Tune in for my Draft Live Show! Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions. Jovan analyzes how the Lakers can add a center AND depth, if LA can mimic Indiana's build around Luka Doncic, realistic guard/wing trade targets, if Austin Reaves will be a value on his contract, accurate and misrepresented Lakers national storylines, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:07 Question No. 1: Can LA add a center AND depth? 5:46 Question No. 2: Can LA mimic Indiana’s build around Luka? 8:53 Question No. 3: Realistic guard/wing to trade for? 13:54 Question No. 4: When will AR be a value on his next contract? 17:05 Question No. 5: Best veteran’s minimum targets? 21:03 Question No. 6: Would LA be better trading AR or moving him to the bench? 24:02 Question No. 7: What do Luka and AR need to work on this offseason? 26:19 Question No. 8: What Lakers national storyline is most accurate? Biggest misconception? 30:47 Question No. 9: Can LA get back to being an elite defense? 34:07 Question No. 10: Any way LA can get NAW and Bruce Brown Jr.? 35:18 Question No. 11: Which underperforming players should be traded? Possible to flip Rui & DK for a center? 38:32 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha reacts to the WILD news of the Buss family agreeing to sell the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, CEO of TMG Global for a valuation of $10 billion, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:57 Instant reaction to the Lakers being sold 8:02 Q&A 1:05:38 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha welcomes Iztok Franko of digginbasketball to discuss the best ways for the Los Angeles Lakers to build around Luka Doncic this offseason. Jovan and Iztok analyze which rotation players fit best with Luka, the types of players the Lakers need to add to their roster, center and perimeter trade targets, the pressure that will be on LA ahead of Luka's extension date, why Luka will likely sign the extension, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:42 What did we learn about Luka as a Laker? 4:49 Examining how each Laker rotation player fits with Luka 6:30 Austin Reaves 12:50 Rui Hachimura 16:47 Dorian Finney-Smith 21:13 Gabe Vincent 25:55 Jarred Vanderbilt 29:00 Jaxson Hayes 32:40 What do the Lakers need roster-wise around Luka? 37:36 Nic Claxton + other centers 42:56 Wing and guard trade targets 50:48 Jaren Jackson Jr. 53:48 Marcus Smart 57:08 How much pressure will Luka apply on LA this summer? 1:01:55 Does Luka sign the extension? 1:03:48 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers and NBA Finals questions. Jovan analyzes Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, what, if anything, LeBron James' latest commercial means, the ideal nine-man rotation for the Lakers, Austin Reaves vs. Dyson Daniels, if Rui Hachimura could hang in the Finals, why Dorian Finney-Smith is unlikely to be traded, a slew of fake trades, and more. If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:07 Buha's Block meetup reminder 2:56 Thunder-Pacers Game 4 reaction 3:06 Takeaway No. 1: SGA crunch-time masterclass 5:49 Takeaway No. 2: OKC saves their season again -- and is probably winning it all now 10:29 Takeaway No. 3: Lakers what-ifs from these Finals 15:03 Q&A 1:27:49 Outro Timestamps are subject to change based on ad placement and duration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices