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Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Is "Playoff Rui" Changing How the Lakers Have to Approach Free Agency?

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Locked On Podcast Network

La Lakers Podcast, Lakers Nba, Lakers News, Nba Podcast, Lakers Basketball, La Lakers, Sports, La Basketball, Podcast, Lakers, Basketball Podcast, Los Angeles Lakers, Daily Podcast, Basketball, Los Angeles Basketball, Los Angeles Nba, Nba, Los Angeles, Lakers Highlights, Sports Podcast, Lakers Podcast, Lakers Game, Lakers Today, La Nba, Los Angeles Lakers Podcast

4.4 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When analysts note the big plans for LA's upcoming offseason, it's often in the context of opening up large amounts of cap space for Rob Pelinka and Co. to fill with a host of players that complement Luka Dončić. When people talk about maximizing the amount of money available, it means chucking virtually everything that can be tossed overboard. That's all the expiring contracts, and maybe some dead weight on the roster. Of course, every player that they cut ties with must be replaced in one way or another. The problem becomes figuring out whether the players available are better than the guys in house. Not so tough with stars, but role players? That's tricky. Take Rui Hachimura. For the last three seasons, he's been solidly above 40 percent from 3-point range. In the playoffs, he consistently elevates his shooting, to the point he's got the best 3-point percentage in NBA postseason history. Rui also has a nifty, and useful, midrange game, and some athleticism that has benefitted LA. Of course, Rui also is a lousy rebounder, and dishes about eight assists a year. His defense is improving, but will never be confused for some DPOY candidate out there. He makes about $19 million, and is probably in line to make somewhere between $15-20 a year going forward. Is he worth keeping? Would the Lakers do better on the market? Could they replace Rui's shooting with a player that fits a little better with the roster they envision building around Luka? Tough questions, for sure. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGYGet candy-flavored chaos with Fruity Rainbow 5-hour ENERGY®️ Shots - available online at https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon KALSHIFor a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.  DoorDashFrom tipoff to overtime, stay in your bag and order on DoorDash.Get snacks, drinks, gear — whatever gets you through the season — delivered right to your door.DoorDash. In your bag all season long. RedditReddit is where the real fans hang out. Download the Reddit app and dive into your favorite team for hot takes, fresh memes, and the group chat that never sleeps. QuoMake this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away.Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba. BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. RugietGet 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhlRugiet. Performance medicine for men. PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use codeLOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Transcript

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0:00.0

Is playoff Rui changing the decisions the Lakers might have to make this off season?

0:04.0

We'll tell you next.

0:10.3

You are Locked on Lakers.

0:12.6

Your daily Los Angeles Lakers podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network,

0:18.2

your team every day.

0:21.0

Thanks to everybody for stopping my Locked on Lakers, Brian Komeneski, Andy Kaminowski,

0:25.4

Lakers getting ready for game three Saturday night in L.A.

0:29.1

Trying to find their way back into their series with the Oklahoma City Thunder down to

0:34.4

nothing.

0:35.7

It will not be easy.

0:37.1

I think that is fairly clear.

0:38.7

I want to let people know that today's episode is brought to you by Fandul.

0:41.1

Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $150 in bonus bets.

0:45.8

If your first bet wins, head to fanduel.com to get started.

0:52.3

We talked a lot, Andy, about the Austin Reeves of it all in terms of, at the very

1:00.0

least, the comfort the Lakers might feel had, if Reeves goes into the offseason, you know,

1:05.2

another bad playoff, wherever.

1:06.9

Certainly Austin bounced back really well in game two, 31 points, six assists, and, you know,

1:14.8

looked like the kind of player that you would need him to be against an excellent defense,

1:20.6

making the kind of money that he's in line to get.

1:24.7

There are other decisions, though.

1:26.8

The Lakers need to make this off season, and one of them

...

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