First article of the super fun draft collab with Lakers draft OG @canyondriver.bsky.social What should the Lakers do with the No. 25 pick? The value, the history, the flexibility, and the different paths in front of the Lakers this offseason. digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-dra...

So much fun to do!

First of all, Happy International Women's Day

A lot had changed in 1 month. But fwiw, I want the Lakers to target Montiejus Krivas from the University of Arizona.

go.bsky.app/HycDWKH I hope this is a good start. I did this from memory. I'm still learning this place, so I'm sure I can edit if necessary.

Guys I'm waiting for the NBA draft early this season: Cameron Carr - Baylor Joshua Jefferson - Iowa St. Killyan Toure - Iowa St. I expect Carr and Jefferson to blow past the Laker 1st, which leaves Killyan Toure. Others: Johann Grunloh Dailyn Swain

Just happy that Adou Theiro is being a productive NBA player, especially coming off of knee injury. I don't think he's lost at all, and the defensive playmaking stands out every time, even in limited minutes.

after seeing adou thiero play at south bay last night, i thought it would be fun to clip the first time pete & darius talked about adou — right before the 2nd round of the nba draft, notably, the top defensive wing on @canyondriver.bsky.social 's board at that point.

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Andrej Stojakovic vs Alabama Crimson Tide | FILM BREAKDOWN open.substack.com/pub/gametheo... 2026 #NBADraft video breakdown over on the Game Theory Substack

Sad to see it go this way. Not that I know the inner workings of the organization, but I at least felt reinvigorated about the scouting department since the beginning of their tenure.

Can confirm Joey and Jesse Buss are no longer part of the Lakers front office. First reported by ESPN.

The shorthanded Lakers opened their preseason with a pair of losses. The guys offer their takeaways from both games, the team’s inconsistent effort in transition defense, what they’ve liked from Austin, Ayton, and Vando, and more. 🎧: linktr.ee/LFRPOD

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New pod: The Kawhi Situation The guys discuss Slovenia’s hard-fought loss in EuroBasket, Luka’s huge scoring night, Germany’s resolve & later, the new bombshell revelation dropped re the Clippers possible salary cap circumvention with Kawhi, & MORE. 🎧: linktr.ee/LFRPOD

41 days until the 2025-2026 NBA season starts

Interesting tidbit on Knecht and Thiero in the mailbag.

Lakers have signed RJ Davis, Eric Dixon, Arthur Kaluma and Augustus Marčiulionis to training camp (Exhibit 10) deals.

Sacramento Kings place 2 players on the All-NBA Summer League Team. Nique Clifford💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 Isaac Jones 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

Miami Heat head scout Eric Spoelstra is challenging center Kel'el Ware to improve his professionalism, consistency, and daily approach. Let's see how Ware performs as the Miami Heat take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

From what I've seen of Summer League play, I only regret ranking Hansen Yang so low. But I don't regret: Kasparas #4 Thiero #13 Beringer #14 Raynaud #17

Wrote about the three Laker additions that matched by Best Player Available list, Adou Theiro, Eric Dixon, and Augustas Marciulionis. lakersdraft.substack.com/p/what-a-wil...

yay ayton

I feel like I did my job with the draft and now I'm watching this Laker FA / trade season go crazy 🤣

New pod: LeBron Opts In, DFS Opts Out LeBron opted into his contract for next year while DFS opted out. The guys discuss what kind of deal they would offer DFS now, how LeBron's decision impacts the Lakers in free agency, Rich Paul's comments & MORE. 🎧: linktr.ee/LFRPOD

Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball played 26-games together for the Chicago Bulls When they were on the court together, the Bulls had a defensive rating of 104.8 and turned opponents over on 17.4% of their possessions while sparking great transition offense. Remembering the “Lockdown Brothers”

Fun that these 2 went back to back in the draft. Lanier went where I had him, Thiero was my biggest steal by a mile.

California Classic dates for Lakers games (PST): Warriors vs. Lakers on Saturday, July 5 @ 3:30 p.m. Heat vs. Lakers on Sunday, July 6 @ 1:30 pm Spurs vs. Lakers on Tuesday, July 8, time TBD www.nba.com/warriors/new...

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Ty Johnson is super interesting

Adou Theiro Eric Dixon Augustus Marciulionis Unbelievable.

My Lakers top UDFA targets Wooga Poplar (The only one I’d really be excited about) Igor Milicic Jr Izan Almanza Saint Thomas Brice Williams Hunter Sallis Payton Sandfort Dylan Cardwell Clifford Omoruyi Kadary Richmond Chris Manon Lamont Butler

What a thrill. This is an A+ draft for the Lakers even if they need a center. They got two arguable BPAs at #36 and UDFA.

Lakers traded up from 55 to 45 to 36 and got Adou Theiro, who was discussed on the pod TODAY by Darius & Pete and was a noted favorite of our draft guy, @canyondriver.bsky.social.

I hope everyone enjoys!!

“But whatever he becomes, this pick wasn’t made in a vacuum. It was made by a team—and a scout—who’ve already hit on more than a few bets… So I’m staying on the ‘In Mike Schmitz We Trust’ train.” www.blazersedge.com/2025/6/26/24...

Get a feel for the Top 3 bigs that Jake Fischer has been talking about!

Jake Fischer follows up by saying that the Lakers are looking at centers, and that Ryan Kalkbrenner and Maxime Raynaud are viewed within the league as the top centers, and he expects them to be gone within the first 10 picks of the second round

Rasheer Fleming was the other name that Fischer mentioned in addition to Raynaud and Kalkbrenner

Feels like my homework is being copied with all the Jake Fischer news. The players he's talking about matches the Top 3 bigs on my list.

List of names I’d prioritize for the Lakers at pick 45: Maxime Raynaud Noah Penda Rasheer Fleming Adou Thiero Amari Williams Max Shulga Rocco Zikarsky Wooga Poplar Javon Small

Something like this. Adou Theiro Maxine Raynaud Rasheer Fleming Ryan Kalkbrenner Noah Penda Bogolijub Markovic Javon Small Amari Williams Sion James Jamir Watkins Johni Broome Koby Brea Ryan Nembhard Vlad Goldin Micah Peavy Jahmai Mashack Dylan Caldwell Brooks Barnhizer Kobe Johnson

Lakers were unlikely to exceed the second apron anyway. They are $16.2 million below it if LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith pick up their player options. The bigger question is if they could potentially operate below the first apron. It would open up more possibilities.

The draft list doesn't change man! Haha

Buying a pick doesn't seem to be an option, but if the Lakers were to trade into the second round: Theiro Fleming Raynaud Kalkbrenner Small