For the Lakers, the start of Thursday's free agency period in the NBA is an opportunity to improve, and a reminder of how constrained they are in the effort. There are some intriguing names out there, many of whom could help a team with precious little depth... but the Lakers enter the fray with only one big chunk of change at their disposal - the taxpayer midlevel exception worth just over six million - and in the grand scheme of things, even that one isn't so big. So what should they prioritize? Is it Orlando center Mo Bamba? Golden State wing Otto Porter Jr.? What about a sleeper candidate like Miami's Caleb Martin or Isaiah Hartenstein from the Clippers? They only get one crack at it, and how they spend this money will have a major impact on the way the Lakers then fill other holes. And what about the older vets? Someone like Blake Griffin will inevitably be attached to the Lakers via the rumor mill. Given the experience of last season, how many of those guys can/should they get away with signing? Is there any space for the cagey, low minutes vet on this squad? Finally, the Buddy Hield rumor mill will never fully die. But whether for Hield or anyone else, do the Lakers have the flexibility to pull off a trade of significance? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Who will be the 6:01 ET phone call as free agency opens? Who should get LA's attention (and the biggest chuck of its money)? SEGMENT 2: Bamba or Porter or Hartenstein or Martin or ??? Who are the best free agent targets for L.A.? SEGMENT 3: A brilliant tweet about Russell Westbrook. Plus, can the Lakers swing a trade of consequence? 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