Andy Kamenetzky here, the host of the daily Locked On Lakers podcast, with your daily Locked On Lakers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Lakers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Lakers Lose 109-90 in Minnesota as LeBron’s Shooting Slump Continues
It was always going to be a tough slog for the Lakers coming into Minnesota after grinding out a win Sunday night in Utah. LA arrived still shorthanded (no Austin Reaves) and definitely weary, having played approximately 17 games in the last week.
But even with all of that, the Lakers looked lifeless after the first 12 minutes, posting a gruesome 80 points in a 29-point loss to the Wolves. (109-80, for those who don’t want to do the math.) The core of the problem was fatigue—which is both an issue for the near and long term—and a catastrophically unproductive night from Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who scored 22 points between them. On a team team that isn’t constructed in a way that demands its stars dominate nightly, that’s tough to overcome. On the Lakers, it’s damn near impossible. D’Angelo Russell, stepping into the starting lineup for Reaves, did his part (20 points, leading the team) but the rest of the gang?
Ooof. It was a second straight rough outing for Dalton Knecht. Max Christie was 2-9. The Lakers needed another hero or two, and needless to say didn’t get any.
But the big question is LeBron. After the game, JJ Redick said it may not be in his or the team’s interest for James to follow through on his stated desire to play in all 82 games this season, admirable as the impulse might be. The Lakers need to figure out a way to get the most out of James, who may not be bending the knee to Father Time—it wasn’t that long ago we were celebrating four straight triple-doubles—but does seem to be feeling the wear of stretches in the schedule where the games come fast and frequent, and a team that doesn’t have the sort of high-end depth to support him effectively.
21 games in, maybe James works through the wall and comes out the other side. But the Lakers need to start planning on how to manage him more, and James himself needs to open himself to the idea.
What we’re seeing now, where James has (by far) the lowest net rating among rotation players over the last 10 games, is not sustainable.
—BK
Three Big Questions In This Episode...
1. What went wrong on one of the worst offensive performances the league has seen in years?
2. Do the Lakers have a LeBron Problem? If so, does it have a solution?
3. What might a smarter deployment plan look like?
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) is helped up by center Jay Huff (30) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
In mid-November, when the Lakers beat the Grizzlies at home in L.A., it was in large part to the efforts of Dalton Knecht. The rookie was upset that a week before that game the Grizzlies very tidily (to the tune of 131-114) put the Lakers away in Memphis, but more specifically, that Ja Morant challenged LeBron James. Knecht told ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin that Morant said “he was pretty much the new king around here when Bron’s still in the league.”
This is about the Grizzlies, it is, but Knecht’s umbrage was directed at the crucial element that’s powered Memphis for so long, and what’s put them back on top after last year’s wash of a season: outsized confidence.
It’s been called disrespect, showboating, ego, but whatever the Grizzlies are being called is less important than the baseline quality of confidence the labels all spring from and the team embodies. I’ve also found these other monikers telling— like a league temperature check — depending on who is levelling them and as a result of what. In Knecht’s case, he felt it disrespectful that Morant would make such a claim but Morant’s been saying it for seasons now. What started as general agitation and prowess for his own team seasons ago, a means to get an underdog Grizzlies team fired up, worked. It also turned into something greater: Morant hasn’t replaced James yet but the weight of expectation is there, so is the pathway. The side-effect, this time, was giving a rookie like Knecht his “Welcome to the NBA” moment.
The Grizzlies are sitting third in a densely competitive Western Conference, ranked fifth overall in offence and fourth in defence, and they’ve secured these spots despite largely being without Morant, their diamond-in-the-rough of Desmond Bane, and big man Zach Edey. Jaren Jackson Jr. sits comfortably on over a dozen league leaderboards, including points per 36 minutes, field goals per 100 possessions, block percentage and defensive win shares. Scottie Pippen Jr. Is an assist machine with the kind of court vision that usually takes seasons to sharpen; Jay Huff can sharp-shoot the three and the next possession take the ball up for a reverse dunk right in front of LeBron James.
And there’s no slouch in them. All down the roster, despite the injury gaps, Memphis counts seven players who average at least and typically more than 10 points a game. Of those seven, all split their minutes, with Jackson Jr. averaging the most at 29:20 a game. The result is an early depth that not many other teams can rival...
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview Breaking down the NBA Cup: Here’s a primer for the final night of group-stage games. (The Athletic)
Replay The Lakers stumbled against the Timberwolves, suffering a significant loss with an 89-105 final score. Key performances included LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they couldn’t overcome the deficit. Read the recap for detailed stats and analysis.
Analysis Player performances were mixed in the Lakers’ loss to the Timberwolves. LeBron James and Anthony Davis showed strong efforts, but they were not enough to secure a win. For a detailed breakdown, check out the player grades.
Rumor The Lakers are reportedly considering a trade involving Day’Ron Sharpe from the Nets and Jalen Hood-Schifino. This potential move could shake up the team’s dynamics. Follow the latest trade rumors.
Analysis LeBron James is navigating adjustments to the Lakers’ new offensive strategies. His ability to adapt will be crucial for the team’s success. Dive into how LeBron is adjusting to the new offense. (Daily News)
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Lakers @ Heat
Wednesday, Dec. 04 | 7:30 PM | Kaseya Center (Miami, FL) | Get Tickets
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Friday, Dec. 06 | 7:30 PM | State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA) | Get Tickets
Dec 2, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis/Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Injury Updates and Player Returns
As we navigate the NBA season, keeping an eye on player injuries and returns is crucial for fantasy basketball success. Jeremy Sochan is potentially making a comeback, and I recommend adding him in all league formats. Mark Williams is another player to watch, as he’s been upgraded to questionable. While his return isn’t guaranteed, it’s worth considering adding him to your roster. Meanwhile, Draymond Green is listed as questionable, but Steve Kerr has expressed doubts about his availability. This opens up opportunities for Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, and Trace Jackson-Davis to step up in his absence.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire is buzzing with activity, and it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. Vasa Micic is the most added player, filling in for the injured LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann. While this isn’t a long-term solution, Micic is a solid pickup until one of them returns. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is another player to consider, especially with the Magic’s favourable schedule. He’s a great streaming option, but don’t expect consistent season-long value. Marcus Smart is also gaining traction, and his recent performances make him a worthy addition.
On the flip side, Isaiah Stewart, Moussa Diabate, and Naji Marshall are among the most dropped players. Stewart’s value is inconsistent, making him an easy drop. Diabate’s minutes are dwindling, and Marshall’s role is uncertain. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome have also seen significant drops, with Jerome’s value plummeting due to Caris LeVert’s return.
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Lakers Beat Warriors on Last Second Layup from Austin Reaves, Davis Leaves Early with Ankle Injury The Lakers lost Anthony Davis seven minutes into their Christmas Day tilt in San Francisco against the Warriors. Bah humbug, right? Not so fast. The Lakers circled the wagons, and got big performances up and down the roster, using an Austin Reaves bucket with a second left to beat Golden State, 115-113.
Turnovers Kill the Lakers in a 117-114 Loss to Detroit Pistons The Lakers offense has been stuck in the mud for the last few weeks. Monday at the Crypt against Detroit, the Lakers shot 54% from the floor, including 47% from 3-point range. They hit 20 of their 25 free throws, a perfectly solid 80%. The Lakers got a triple-double (28/11/11) from LeBron James. Max Christie chipped in with 17. So why did they ultimately lose 117-114 to the Pistons?
Why the Suddenly Hot Lakers Have a Chance to Rise in the Western Conference An 82-game season can have a ton of ebbs and flows, and often they feel extreme. Certainly that’s been the case for the Lakers, who have followed one of the most inept stretches of team defense with another that has been, quite literally, the league’s best over their last five games. Even more confusing, an offense that was once among the best in the league has totally cratered.
