NBA free agency kicked off Thursday afternoon, and the Lakers didn't let limited resources keep them on the sidelines. They signed a center (Damian Jones) and two forwards (Juan Toscano-Anderson and Troy Brown Jr.) to veteran's minimum contracts, and used their taxpayer midlevel exception, worth about $6.5 million, on former Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV. On the one hand, the Lakers broke from last year's free agent trends in significant ways. First, they went much, much younger. The oldest of the quartet is Toscano-Anderson, at 29. On the other, the Lakers didn't pick up any of the shooting they banked last season. Or at least they thought they banked, in hindsight. All told, it reminds Lakers fans of the bind the team is in, trying to make impactful improvements to the roster. (It also reminds Lakers fans of who put the Lakers in this box to begin with... namely, the Lakers.) So what signings were the best? Which were the most questionable? Where do they go from here? Can the Lakers make any trades to fill in some of the gaps? And speaking of trades, Kevin Durant has demanded one out of Brooklyn, contacting owner Joe Tsai himself. And while he's highly unlikely to land in Los Angeles, it does put Kyrie Irving back into play. In fact, some reports suggest Irving might try to force his way to Los Angeles. It's reasonable to ask if this becomes the Thanos of NBA trades -- simply inevitable. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Free agency, Day 1: The Lakers make four moves. What were they trying to accomplish? SEGMENT 2: Breaking down the names. Who do you like, who don't you like? How much better are the Lakers now? SEGMENT 3: The rumors that won't die -- Kyrie Irving is once again being linked to the Lakers, and it seems like it might happen, maybe later, maybe sooner, but at some point. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Check out PrizePicks.com and use promo code: “NBA” or go to your app store and download the app today. PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Arcade1up Pre-order now from arcade1up.com - that’s Arcade, the number 1, Up, dot com - for an estimated early September ship date! They are giving away a NBA JAM Shaq edition to a Locked On listener! Enter for a chance to win a game console for your man-cave at arcade1up.com/lockedon. Sakara Sakara is a wellness company anchored in food as medicine, on a mission to nourish. Go to Sakara.com/LOCKEDON20 or Enter Code “LOCKEDON20” for 20% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices