Lakers Free Agency Live: LA Signs Jake LaRavia, DFS Leaves To Houston, Deandre Ayton Top Target
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.
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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
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2:40:44
LeBron James Opts In To Player Option + Applies Pressure On Lakers, Dorian Finney-Smith Opts Out
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.
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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
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2:08:46
Great Western Forum Ep. 1: Lakers' Sale, Adou Thiero & Offseason Expectations
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
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1:14:45
Lakers Trade Up For Adou Thiero At No. 36 In 2025 NBA Draft
Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Adou Theiro with the No. 36 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:12 The Lakers draft Adou Thiero at No. 36
6:12 Q&A
1:05:33 Outro
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1:14:00
Why I'm No Longer At The Athletic + Lakers’ 2025 NBA Draft W/ Mike Garcia
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.
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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!
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Jovan Buha, a senior reporter covering the Los Angeles Lakers, analyzes the purple and gold with a weekly podcast that includes news, Xs and Os, statistical analysis, and exclusive interviews with media, players, team personnel, and more.
New Zealand