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.
The Lakers will play basketball tonight at the Crypt, hosting the San Antonio Spurs.
Broadly, it’s a sign that officials believe they have a better handle on the still-burning fires in Los Angeles, because they’re willing to have emergency personnel available for a game at LA Live (and another at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, with the Clippers hosting a home game of their own). It’s been a trying week for everyone around the city, including Lakers players and team personnel. The home JJ Redick and his family have been living in since moving to LA burned down in the Palisades fire. LeBron James, like many residents of Brentwood, spent the weekend facing mandatory or potential evacuation.
But there’s simply no way the NBA would stage games unless they were told in no uncertain terms that the risk of diverting critical public safety resources was low.
So now that they’re back on the floor, what will it look like? The emotional toll in moments like this can be challenging. Obviously the arena will be a place of mixed emotions. People excited to see their team, hoping to have a moment where they’re rallying for their city, a brief respite from the realities a few miles away, and more. The team will certainly honor those who have lost so much, and the first responders trying to protect them. There will be even more energy and celebration as Michael Cooper, one of the most beloved members of the Showtime Lakers, will finally have his jersey retired.
It’s a lot to pack into one night.
But of course, what we see tonight is just the start of weeks, months, and years of recovery. One thing that is likely safe to say: While the Lakers don’t always handle their basketball decisions, they almost always nail the moment in times like these. Whatever the team chooses to do will likely hit the right notes. And LeBron James, who was excellent helping lead the team and the community when the Lakers resumed play following the death of Kobe Bryant, will likely meet the moment as well.
It’s just one game, but it’s likely a welcome sight for a lot of Angelinos.
—BK
Also In This Episode...
-Michael Cooper gets his jersey retired by the Lakers, who will continue with this honor as scheduled.
-Good call to do the jersey retirement tonight?
-Vando close to a return. What he’ll provide to the team.
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
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
Feel Good The Lakers are hosting a donation drive at Crypto.com Arena for wildfire victims, encouraging fans to contribute essential items. The event underscores the team’s commitment to supporting the community in times of need. (Silver Screen and Roll)
Trade Bleacher Report suggests a trade proposal for each NBA team, including the Lakers, to enhance their roster and strategic position. This analysis provides intriguing insights into potential roster improvements. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Spurs will clash with the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
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.
