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Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Athletic's Player Tiers Show the Lakers Don't Have Enough Top Level Players

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

4.41.6K Ratings

🗓️ 21 May 2026

⏱️ 23 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Western Conference Finals are, understandably, creating angst around the league, including among Lakers fans. Why? Because pretty much everyone is watching the Thunder and Spurs thinking, "We're not nearly as good as they are." And considering both teams might not be done improving (especially San Antonio) the existential crisis is warranted. Law Murray at The Athletic has been publishing his tiered list of the top 125 players in the NBA. The Lakers will have four guys on it -- Luka, LeBron, Reaves and Marcus Smart, who snuck in at the bottom of the lowest tier -- and one (Rui Hachimura) who was in the group of players who just missed out. Four of those players can or will be free agents this summer, meaning the Lakers have work to do just to hold on to the talent they have, let alone upgrade. Meanwhile, OKC and San Antonio basically double what the Lakers have. Meaning those teams can go eight deep before anyone who isn't among the league's best 125 players (or basically the top 25%). That's a depth problem that is difficult to combat, and that's before you even see where guys land, because both Western Conference elites have plenty of dudes near the top of these lists. Nobody said Rob Pelinka's job would be easy! 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 ENERGYThe funfetti flavor is BACK on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Confetti Craze 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today! KALSHIFor a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.  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. 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. 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

The athletics new player rankings drive home to challenge the Lakers face this offseason.

0:04.8

We'll explain next.

0:11.2

You are Locked on Lakers.

0:13.6

Your daily Los Angeles Lakers podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast network, your team every day.

0:22.1

Thanks to everybody for stopping by Locked on Lakers.

0:24.6

Plenty to discuss this afternoon.

0:27.4

Law Murray, great basketball writer over at the athletic,

0:30.8

has a new set of rankings out.

0:33.3

Player rankings does it in tiers,

0:36.0

which side note is the correct way to do it.

0:39.7

And it is looking like, Andy, the Lakers are going to have four players in what amounts to the top

0:46.6

125 players in the league.

0:50.2

Marcus Smart sliding in right at the end of tier five.

0:55.4

We learned that Austin Reeves is in tier three.

1:01.6

That came out on Wednesday.

1:03.5

I'm going to go out on a limb,

1:04.8

presume that LeBron James and certainly Luca Dantritch

1:07.6

are at least going to be in tier two and tier one at worst.

1:11.7

So that gives the Lakers four players in the top 125 with Rui Hachemura just missing out.

1:21.3

He was in the sort of next group of guys that missed the cut.

1:25.1

So no real big surprises there in terms of where guys are.

1:31.8

I will say it's a nice thing for the Lakers that smart popped back into that list

...

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