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Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Why Centers Could Be Key for the Lakers in the Stretch Run and Playoffs

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

🗓️ 12 March 2026

⏱️ 18 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The Lakers have received a lift in the last couple of games through the activity and production of Deandre Ayton. The mercurial center has come out with significantly more energy, and has generally played better since namedropping Clint Capela in a fairly disparaging way. But the Lakers need him to keep it up, no question. They're a different team when Ayton produces (noted by the record when he logs 15/10 on any given night). But with a fully healthy team, the lakers aren't likely to be able to find Ayton enough shots to put up 15-20 every night, and meanwhile his minutes likely settle between 20-25 minutes rather than 25-30. But the motor? That can run all the time. And for the Lakers, the possibility of having a higher caliber starting center than last season (Ayton vs. Jaxson Hayes) combined with a better backup center (Today Hayes vs. Last Year Hayes) and a healthy Maxi Kleber (who has been deployed effectively at different times this year) means the center position is in line for a significant upgrade compared to last year. That gives JJ Redick far more options, allows the Lakers to match up better, and then do things like go small -- still a very effective lineup -- when they want to, rather than because they have to. That's a big deal, potentially. So keep an eye on the bigs! Meanwhile, Austin Reaves had some very revealing, and potentially encouraging, comments about accountability following Tuesday's win. 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! TurboTaxThis year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. 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 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. BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist.  Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.  5-Hour ENERGYHave your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. 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. FanDuelFanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost.Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to 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 Lakers have a big three, but we'll tell you next why their three centers could be the key to a strong stretch run.

0:06.4

That's next.

0:12.5

You are Locked-on Lakers.

0:14.9

Your daily Los Angeles Lakers podcast, part of the Locked-on Podcasts Network network your team every day thanks everybody for

0:25.0

making locked on lakers first listen of every day whether you're doing it through

0:28.2

spotify apple uh well the locked on lakers youtube channel uh we appreciate you coming on on

0:34.8

on and helping make the lock on podcast network the number one sports podcast network anywhere you're going to find.

0:39.8

I'm Brian Kaminetsky with Andy Kaminetski covered the Lakers for nearly 20 years.

0:43.7

And stretch runs, Andy in that time are always super exciting.

0:48.4

We have been focused, obviously, on how well the big three are playing together.

0:53.1

Obviously, LeBron James,

0:54.5

unavailable these days with a variety of maladies.

0:58.7

Seems unlikely, I think, to play against the Bulls on Thursday.

1:02.8

I feel like the Bulls are,

1:05.7

give it one more game.

1:07.5

As we've noted a few times,

1:09.8

we still don't even quite understand the origin

1:13.4

story of this hip contusion that he's dealing with. Last, I saw he was on the injury list. It

1:19.7

was due to the elbow contusion plus the standard left foot arthritis. The hip thing is new and

1:27.0

to this point, totally unexplained.

1:29.3

Old people in hips.

1:31.2

I just assumed it was that fall in the...

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