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.
There have been a few good candidates for “Worst” among the (now) 16 losses suffered by the Lakers over the course of this season.
But Tuesday, the Lakers may have set a new bar. They went into Dallas facing a Mavs team without Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving, and playing on the second night of a back-to-back in which they had to travel back to from Memphis to Dallas after losing to the Grizzlies Monday night. Starting center Derek Lively was in foul trouble for much of the game, which is problematic for Dallas since their backup, Daniel Gafford, is on the shelf as well.
LA, meanwhile, had a day of rest to think about a disappointing loss in Houston Sunday evening, and even got some reinforcements in the form of Gabe Vincent, who returned to the lineup after missing games with an oblique injury. And by beating Dallas, the Lakers could put a little space between themselves and a key competitor in the Western Conference.
And yet, the Lakers lost, 118-97.
When people question how good the Lakers are, and whether or not Rob Pelinka ought to be investing what’s left of the team’s prime assets in this season, it’s games like this that give them pause. Good teams do not lose this game. They may not play great, they might hit some rocky points, but in the end, they win the game. (Really good teams knock Dallas out early, and never let them get confident, but let’s walk before we run.) So if you’re Pelinka, how do you react to nights like this? Can you believe that the Lakers are capable of enough consistency to push through the late stretch of the season, then into multiple rounds of playoff basketball, with enough high-end consistency to make an “all in” move seem like a reasonable gamble?
There is an excellent chance that at the end of the year, the Lakers will see the standings and point to this game as a reason something more favorable didn’t happen. It’s possible, too, that it could be a reason the team doesn’t go big at the deadline.
—BK
More From This Episode...
-Worst loss of the year?
-Ultimately, it’s on the stars.
-Why nights like this one complicate things for Rob Pelinka.
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Analysis JJ Redick discusses the Lakers’ defensive strategies against the Mavericks, highlighting statistical insights and expert opinions on their performance. Redick’s analysis emphasizes the need for improved defensive cohesion. (Silver Screen and Roll)
Replay Catch the highlights of the Lakers vs. Mavericks game, featuring standout performances from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves. The detailed recap provides a play-by-play breakdown and key stats. (Silver Screen and Roll)
Personnel JJ Redick’s family had to evacuate their homes due to Los Angeles wildfires. Fortunately, they are safe, and Redick expresses gratitude for the support received from the community. (Bleacher Report)
Prediction An updated forecast for the Lakers’ win-loss record for the 2024-25 NBA season suggests a strong finish, based on current team dynamics and remaining schedule. Enthusiasts can look forward to strategic matchups ahead. (Bleacher Report)
Watch LeBron James executed an incredible windmill dunk over Dereck Lively II, showcasing his athletic prowess. (CBS Sports)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Lakers Acquire Center Mark Williams for Knecht, 1st Round Pick and Pick Swap: All In for Luka and LeBron Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, new superstar Luka Doncic made it clear the type of center he likes to play with. Active, athletic, and with the ability to get up to be a vertical threat. Ask and you shall receive, Mr. Doncic. Late Wednesday evening, (via ESPN’s Shams Charania) the Lakers agreed to a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire 23-year old 7-footer Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected first rounder in 2031 and a pick swap in 2030.
This pick is reflective of the new world of options opened up to the franchise by acquiring Doncic.
With Luka Watching, the Lakers Blow Out the Clippers, 122-97 Behind 26/8/9 from LeBron James The Lakers put out quite an effort on the defensive end Saturday, when they beat the Knicks in New York. Tuesday against the Clippers, they did it again, this time without Max Christie, who was with the Mavs making his debut for Dallas. Final score, 122-97. This was a top 3 defense in the league, and the Lakers lit them up, and controlled the game throughout. And obviously this was done without Luka Doncic on the floor. (LA’s new star is targeting Saturday vs. Indiana to make his debut in purple and gold.)
Luka Dončić Says Hello, Anthony Davis Says Goodbye, and NBA Media is Desperate for LeBron Drama The Lakers shifted their organizational focus from LeBron James and Anthony Davis to Luka Dončić with Saturday’s seismic trade. Everything they do going forward will be done from the POV of a roster built around Luka. That much is obvious, because Star A is 25 and Star B is 40.
