"Inside the Pacific Division: Warriors’ Second Star Dilemma, Clippers’ Kawhi Watch, and Lakers’ Defensive Woes

[00:00:18] You know what time it is. Front Runner Pac, I am your humble host Vince. And I just want to thank you guys for joining us today. We're gonna have a really exciting podcast. First and foremost, you know that we're gonna hit you with the sharpest analysis. Gonna take you across the Pacific Division today to let you know what's going on with all the teams there. I also want to shout out my producer extraordinaire, Soraya. She is going to be holding it down. Providing me with

[00:00:50] the stats and some of the analytics that we're gonna talk about today. And before we get into that, we're gonna break down the socials. Let's go ahead and do that. So let's get into x at Front Runner PC. Also, our producer is at reya underscore punch FRPC. We are also on blue sky. And that is at Front Runner PC.

[00:01:20] So same thing. So same thing. And then it is what is it is producer reya actually is producer hyphen reya dot b sky dot social, you know, the whole deal. Also, we have new videos up on the YouTube page front runner podcast collective please go check those out. I think one is an actual short.

[00:01:50] Not too, let me tell you something. Not too, like, hip on which ones, how they go, whatever. I try to put up stuff that is relevant to the pod, but also something that we're really trying to get out there and be made known.

[00:02:06] So, you know, support it, you know, support the podcast, subscribe to the YouTube channel. That's always excellent. The other thing is to like some stuff. That's always great. And also, let everybody know about the podcast. Be a friend, tell a friend about the podcast.

[00:02:25] Get us on Spotify, get us on Apple podcast, get us on Amazon music or wherever you enjoy your podcast. Make sure you follow us. And then if you like to podcast, five star rating. You know, this is how we grow.

[00:02:43] So, I believe in this. I believe that we provide a service and I want to continue to provide that service to you. And the only way we do that is to build momentum and to build this community.

[00:02:57] So, go on to the YouTube channel. Subscribe there. Follow us on X and Blue Sky. Also, follow us on the pods. So, you got your marching orders and what have you.

[00:03:13] So, before we get to the pod, I want to talk about some of the other stuff that I do. Right. And I love to cook. I love to cook when it just relaxes me. It gives me time to just kind of settle in. I'll listen to some music, especially at this time of year.

[00:03:37] I'll go ahead and turn on some Christmas music, you know. And it's just for me, it's just something that I do that it provides a service to my wife that, you know, hey, you don't have to worry about this.

[00:03:56] And I'm a pretty creative guy. So, if I see five or six things in a refrigerator, you know, I can kind of go, okay, we can kind of make something out of this.

[00:04:10] So, we had some baby red potatoes and we had some chicken and some just, you know, some herbs and spices or whatever.

[00:04:23] And I just decided to go ahead and, you know, get the chicken. I'm a person, I know people say that, you know, white meat is dry.

[00:04:36] I've never had a piece of dry white meat in my life that I made. So, I don't understand the phenomenon.

[00:04:45] But, so my wife is like, oh, okay, so you're making that? And I was like, yeah, man, we have some shrimp in the refrigerator.

[00:04:52] So, we took that out and we had some rice and added some cilantro to it and turned the shrimp into some citrus.

[00:05:01] I shaved off some lime peel and some orange peel to give it that citrus zest.

[00:05:10] Added some garlic cloves and some onions and some other stuff and, you know, made a couple meals.

[00:05:20] And, you know, my wife is like, man, you just whipped that up, like, real quick.

[00:05:24] And I'm like, you know, it's just a talent.

[00:05:28] You know, you grow up in a household that maybe the means weren't.

[00:05:31] I wouldn't say we were, like, hard off by any means or anything like that.

[00:05:37] But, you know, I would say that, you know, I grew up in a single-parent household.

[00:05:42] My mom had a pretty good job, you know, most of the time.

[00:05:47] But, you know, sometimes you're not just able to pick up the phone and, you know, call over Chipotle

[00:05:54] or call over your favorite, you know, Chinese restaurant or whatever the case may be.

[00:05:59] So, you know, my wife was just astounded that I was able to, like, create these two meals.

[00:06:03] And then I was thinking to myself, I created two days of less stuff for me to do.

[00:06:11] So, you can just see how the two minds work, the women and the men.

[00:06:17] I was thinking, like, perfect.

[00:06:21] I'm going to be able to watch more games because all these meals are made

[00:06:25] and nobody will have to stress me out about, you know, what's for dinner because it's all set.

[00:06:33] So, that's a little inside information on your boy.

[00:06:37] So, we're just trying to, you know, loosen it up on a Friday and everything like that.

[00:06:44] Hopefully, the stories will become a little less mundane.

[00:06:47] But this is what's going on right now.

[00:06:49] But right now, we're going to get into our Around the Arc series.

[00:06:54] If you have been with us, we have made some changes in starting off this year.

[00:06:59] We want to touch all the teams.

[00:07:01] And by touching all the teams, we go week by week.

[00:07:06] We go Eastern Conference, Western Conference.

[00:07:09] And then throughout the podcast, throughout the week, you will see each division be represented.

[00:07:16] So, today, we are in the Pacific Division, which I'm so excited about because, first of all,

[00:07:23] we got big names.

[00:07:24] We got intrigue.

[00:07:26] We got a lot of mystery going on.

[00:07:28] And we got some teams that are going through some struggles, trying to figure out their identity.

[00:07:34] And I think that hopefully we can get some clarity on what's going on right now with them.

[00:07:41] So, let's start off with the Golden State Warriors.

[00:07:44] And Golden State right now are fifth in the West.

[00:07:48] They are currently 14-10.

[00:07:50] But they let some winnable games go.

[00:07:55] That Houston game was a catastrophic.

[00:07:59] I mean, the foul situation itself was terrible.

[00:08:05] But all the things that happened beforehand were also terrible.

[00:08:10] We'll probably get to that a little bit as well.

[00:08:14] Now, Soraya dropped this.

[00:08:16] The defensive rating is 107.9, which is fourth in the league.

[00:08:21] That's right now.

[00:08:22] That's elite.

[00:08:23] But their crunch time offensive rating is below league average.

[00:08:29] Curry is plus 18.1 on-off splits.

[00:08:33] That highlights the dependence that they have on Steph Curry, which we're going to get to later

[00:08:39] about maybe some things that have been kind of been mulling around the rumor mill about the Golden State Warriors.

[00:08:45] So, keep it locked towards the end of the pod.

[00:08:48] We'll be talking about that.

[00:08:50] Now, Anthony Slater of The Athletic nailed it when he said their scoreless droughts and crunch time are killing them.

[00:08:57] It's a pattern now.

[00:08:58] So, Anthony Slater is basically a long-time writer.

[00:09:02] He's been with The Athletic for a while.

[00:09:05] I love his stuff, especially if you're trying to keep up on what Golden State is trying to do.

[00:09:11] And then also watching the games myself.

[00:09:13] What I see with Golden State, and we'll get into it right here, is that we talked about it a little bit, I think, maybe about a month ago.

[00:09:28] But Steph is 36, so there are going to be games where Superman is not going to show up.

[00:09:35] There will be a kryptonited Superman in Steph Curry.

[00:09:39] The problem is, is that you don't have that second guy that you can just absolutely rely on.

[00:09:47] That you're sitting there and going, man, he's going to get me a bucket.

[00:09:50] I can take this play off, or I can put myself in this situation.

[00:09:56] And that is a problem right now, and Steph can't do it all.

[00:10:01] They're in the desperate need of a second scorer.

[00:10:04] You're going to hear the name of Jimmy Butler floated around.

[00:10:08] You've probably seen it on all the who type and places like that.

[00:10:13] They've really been pushing that.

[00:10:15] We'll get into that a little bit later on the podcast.

[00:10:17] I have some things on that.

[00:10:20] And I don't know what it will take or what it is that they absolutely need.

[00:10:28] I don't know if it is Jimmy Butler.

[00:10:30] I don't know if Jimmy Butler is dynamic enough at this point.

[00:10:38] Now, I know that might sound a little disrespectful, but you also have a 35-year-old Jimmy Butler.

[00:10:48] So, Jimmy Butler trying to bring it every night or picking the nights that he's going to bring it and then Steph,

[00:10:57] there's just too much going on there.

[00:11:04] Also, Jimmy's salary is very high.

[00:11:09] So, if you're going to be sending Jimmy Butler to Golden State, what's coming back?

[00:11:16] How many pieces?

[00:11:19] And does it make more sense?

[00:11:22] Does it make a lot of sense to do that?

[00:11:24] So, there's a lot to get to, but we'll see.

[00:11:28] Now, I do want to say this.

[00:11:31] The Kerr quote about the officiating.

[00:11:34] He said, that call I don't think elementary referee would have made.

[00:11:44] That's about as savage as Steve Kerr gets.

[00:11:47] And then the quote by Steph, and this is kind of like the whole deal on this is where you wonder what it will take for Golden State to figure out what that second score looks like.

[00:12:02] And have they identified that person?

[00:12:07] Is that person on their team and it just needs to be developed?

[00:12:11] Or is that somebody that you have to necessarily go out and get?

[00:12:15] Now, Steph said, if I make the shot, we're on a plane to Vegas.

[00:12:19] So, just, it's a make or miss league, right?

[00:12:26] So, shout out to the old school NBA today with Rachel Nichols.

[00:12:33] So, you know, a little shout out there.

[00:12:37] Now, let's get to the Los Angeles Clippers.

[00:12:39] A couple things that we want to talk about the Clippers right off the bat is we're always on Kawhi Watch.

[00:12:46] But we have an update on Kawhi, so let's get to it.

[00:12:51] Okay.

[00:12:53] Kawhi, who has been out.

[00:12:55] Now, let's face it, he's been held together by duct tape with all these injuries.

[00:13:00] But Kawhi might finally be returning to the Clippers and give them some stability that they desperately need.

[00:13:08] Now, we'll get into when he's coming back, but here's some numbers that Soraya dug up for us.

[00:13:13] Their defensive rating right now is 109.7, which ranks them 7th in the league.

[00:13:21] They're struggling offensively.

[00:13:22] They're 22nd in the league in offensive rating at 111.1.

[00:13:27] Now, Law Murray of The Athletic points out that Kawhi Leonard, his defensive mindset will obviously, the team is building around him.

[00:13:38] So, what he would bring to that team as far as defensive stability and also just another swing presence,

[00:13:48] obviously, fortifies already what they have going down right now.

[00:13:52] Now, the thing about it is that it will bring down the usage rate of heart.

[00:14:00] We will see how that works.

[00:14:03] Okay?

[00:14:05] Okay.

[00:14:05] But if Kawhi is coming back and he is about 80% of what he was, I can see the Clippers with this scrappy team making a pretty decent little run.

[00:14:21] Now, do I think they're a competitor to contend?

[00:14:24] I would have to see it for a while and I would have to trust it.

[00:14:29] And if you have been with us for any amount of time, I don't trust Kawhi.

[00:14:35] I don't trust him.

[00:14:36] I don't trust the melodrama that goes on with him.

[00:14:40] Is he in?

[00:14:41] Is he out?

[00:14:42] He's ramping up.

[00:14:43] He's not ramping up.

[00:14:45] We're getting close to physical activity.

[00:14:48] We have to draw back from physical activity.

[00:14:51] There is swelling in the knee.

[00:14:53] We have to monitor the swelling in the knee.

[00:14:56] Oh, we have to shut the knee down because the swelling has gotten too frequent.

[00:15:03] And now we shelved him again.

[00:15:06] There's so much that goes on.

[00:15:08] So, yes.

[00:15:10] Does it help the Clippers if Kawhi comes back and plays some games?

[00:15:14] 100% because he is a great player when he can play on the court.

[00:15:20] Can you trust him to play, what, 50-some-odd games?

[00:15:25] No.

[00:15:27] Probably not.

[00:15:29] And it's sad.

[00:15:32] But this is what you kind of paid for when you signed the extension or you got the extension.

[00:15:39] So, the Clippers, they are Ty Lue is holding that team together.

[00:15:46] Norman Powell is playing out of this world.

[00:15:51] Harden's heliocentric basketball seems to work.

[00:15:55] It slows the pace down enough.

[00:15:58] They can't beat the better teams like that, but they can beat up on the teams that are kind of in their range or below them.

[00:16:07] And Ty Lue, as a tactician, kind of, this is why they have the 14-11 record.

[00:16:13] That's what I'm trying to say.

[00:16:15] So, we're going to move on to the Phoenix Suns now.

[00:16:19] And I am just going to rejoice right now.

[00:16:22] Because the muse of this podcast, or as we like to call him, the Oracle, we also call him our spirit animal for this podcast, Kevin Durant, is coming back tonight.

[00:16:36] So, I'm just so excited to have KD play basketball, be back in our lives, hooping.

[00:16:45] So, I am super excited about that.

[00:16:48] And we also have a stat that tells us that we're not the only ones who have missed KD.

[00:16:58] Now, for the Suns, they are a plus 3.5 net rating with KD.

[00:17:04] But they dropped to a negative 4.7 without him.

[00:17:08] So, you're looking at what?

[00:17:10] A 8.2 drop.

[00:17:11] And they also went 1-9 in that situation.

[00:17:15] So, in 10 games that he was out, they were a minus 4.7 net rating.

[00:17:22] Terrible.

[00:17:23] And you also got to think about this.

[00:17:25] They have Devin Booger on that team.

[00:17:26] So, it's not like they were just completely devoid of talent.

[00:17:31] And he struggled.

[00:17:33] His true shooting percentage in this time frame is 50.2%, which is significantly down from last season's efficiency that he had.

[00:17:45] Now, the other thing that I do want to say is this, is that Doug Holler, who also writes for The Athletic, we got a couple things from The Athletic today.

[00:17:55] He said, he pointed out that Booker needs to rediscover his form.

[00:17:59] The Jimmy Butler rumors are interesting here.

[00:18:04] But he could add grit.

[00:18:06] Would the Suns be sacrificing depth that they can't afford to lose?

[00:18:10] First of all, what in the hell are the Phoenix Suns going to give the Miami Heat in return?

[00:18:21] Like, what are you giving up?

[00:18:22] Are you giving up Devin Booker?

[00:18:26] Because that's really the only piece you have.

[00:18:29] We got a lot on Jimmy Butler later, so just stay with me on that.

[00:18:34] But right now, it's just super crazy.

[00:18:36] So, it is significant when you lose somebody of Kevin Durant's stature in your lineup, obviously.

[00:18:44] But this is what Phoenix kind of signed up for.

[00:18:48] When you extracted all that talent away to get Kevin Durant,

[00:18:54] here's a guy who has had, unfortunately, an Achilles tear and some foot injuries and some knee injuries in the past.

[00:19:04] Because he's now from the 2007 NBA draft.

[00:19:11] That's a long time ago.

[00:19:13] He's also 36.

[00:19:16] And he's 7 feet tall.

[00:19:20] And maybe the tires are just starting to wear.

[00:19:24] So, it's hard to build your team on that.

[00:19:26] And then you took all the depth around away from it when you got him.

[00:19:31] And then you sacrificed even more depth when you got Riley Bill.

[00:19:36] So, in a sense, I'm not understanding where Phoenix expects to go.

[00:19:44] I don't know what golden parachute they have.

[00:19:51] But it's going to be interesting to see.

[00:19:53] There is one way out.

[00:19:55] It's trading KD.

[00:19:58] But we'll see.

[00:19:59] I don't think they're even...

[00:20:00] They can't even stomach that right now.

[00:20:03] Let's get to the Sacramento Kings, shall we?

[00:20:07] The beam teamers.

[00:20:09] They're 13-13 right now.

[00:20:11] They're 12th in the West.

[00:20:12] But they've had a nice little run right here.

[00:20:15] They're 4-1 recently, which is crazy.

[00:20:17] And the thing that has changed is their shooting.

[00:20:21] It has been terrible.

[00:20:23] You know, I gave up on Herter.

[00:20:25] I just gave up on Kevin Herter altogether.

[00:20:30] But in the last five games,

[00:20:34] Murray, Herter, and others have shot 46.3% from deep,

[00:20:39] which is a big jump from 28.1%,

[00:20:43] which was earlier this season.

[00:20:45] And then, at this point,

[00:20:50] I'm going to say some things about Demonta Sabonis right now.

[00:20:54] Some things that I probably said last year,

[00:20:56] but I want to reiterate them and also drive home some points.

[00:21:00] Okay?

[00:21:02] Sabonis is stuffing the stat sheet once again.

[00:21:07] But I'm going to tell you right now,

[00:21:10] as much as we praise him for getting all of what he gets out of his talent,

[00:21:15] he is still a huge problem as far as being a rim protector.

[00:21:21] And that team is stuck because of it.

[00:21:26] He's really good.

[00:21:27] He can be very productive.

[00:21:31] But you've got to figure out something next to him

[00:21:35] to really supercharge what's going on.

[00:21:40] So, let's talk about what he has done.

[00:21:43] Okay?

[00:21:44] That last game that he played,

[00:21:45] 32 points, 21 rebounds.

[00:21:48] I mean, just...

[00:21:51] It's amazing what he gets out.

[00:21:54] He's so fundamentally sound.

[00:21:57] He doesn't get beyond what he can do,

[00:22:03] if you know what I'm talking about.

[00:22:05] He stays within his game.

[00:22:07] He rarely gets outside of it.

[00:22:10] You kind of see him do that in the playoffs more

[00:22:14] than he would do that in a regular season, basically.

[00:22:18] But what he can give you in the regular season

[00:22:22] is jaw-dropping numbers like this on a regular basis.

[00:22:27] And he eats up Anthony Davis.

[00:22:30] And there's some other matchups in the West

[00:22:32] that he absolutely kills for some apparent reason.

[00:22:35] I don't know if it's...

[00:22:37] He just looks at the guy and says,

[00:22:39] You don't work hard enough.

[00:22:42] I don't think you work hard enough.

[00:22:43] And I'm just going to outwork you tonight

[00:22:45] to prove that point.

[00:22:47] And I don't know if that's the actual mindset,

[00:22:51] but it seems like it to me.

[00:22:54] And here's the thing that I'll just continue

[00:22:56] to ask Sacramento Kings fans.

[00:23:00] Can you win?

[00:23:01] Can you win with Sabonis as a primary rim protector?

[00:23:08] What else do you need to put around them

[00:23:12] to make this work?

[00:23:15] Or do you have to move on from him?

[00:23:20] Because what you can get for him right now

[00:23:23] is probably the best it's going to be.

[00:23:27] So, there are questions to this.

[00:23:31] It's the pseudo-starred debate over and over again.

[00:23:34] And I know that Sacramento Kings fans

[00:23:36] are tired of being maligned by podcasters

[00:23:41] such as myself and other people.

[00:23:43] They went through this elongated stretch

[00:23:46] where they weren't in the playoffs

[00:23:47] for such a long time.

[00:23:48] And now, you know, they had a monochrome of success

[00:23:53] and we're just picking apart their teeth.

[00:23:56] And I understand that situation.

[00:24:00] And here's the other thing.

[00:24:02] This is why they don't understand it.

[00:24:06] Stat mules, you know,

[00:24:07] not the greatest thing in the world,

[00:24:08] but still, this is a cool stat.

[00:24:11] Only Jokic and Bede have matched

[00:24:13] the bonus numbers in this decade

[00:24:16] as far as centers are concerned.

[00:24:19] Jokic and Bede.

[00:24:23] Those guys have been battling it out

[00:24:26] for supremacy as the best center in the NBA

[00:24:29] for like literally five years.

[00:24:32] And the guy who's getting right behind them

[00:24:34] being DeMontis Sabonis.

[00:24:36] So, I understand where Kings fans get a little prickly

[00:24:40] when we talk about nitpicking on DeMontis Sabonis.

[00:24:44] But as somebody who is just an observer from the outside,

[00:24:48] not saying, hey, you know,

[00:24:52] you know, and I understand that people say,

[00:24:54] oh, well, you're a fan of the Lakers.

[00:24:56] So, you're going to say all these bad things about the Kings.

[00:24:58] No.

[00:24:59] We're about to talk about the Lakers.

[00:25:01] And trust me, I'm probably going to talk bad about them too.

[00:25:05] But at the end of the day,

[00:25:06] I think that, I think this team has reached its zenith.

[00:25:10] I think there has to be some sort of change.

[00:25:12] I don't know what it is.

[00:25:14] And I'd like to come to you with a solution.

[00:25:16] I mean, here's the basic solution.

[00:25:18] You have to decide on, can you...

[00:25:22] I don't think you can get anybody as dynamic as DeMontis.

[00:25:26] Now, could you somehow get Sabonis somewhere?

[00:25:33] And then maybe it's kind of a two for one back.

[00:25:39] And you get a big, that's a rim protector.

[00:25:42] And maybe you get another wing,

[00:25:44] like a swing that can score or whatever the case may be.

[00:25:48] Because right now, the DeMar DeRozan thing

[00:25:51] has not had the effect that I think they thought it was going to have.

[00:25:56] That it was going to kind of really stabilize the offense.

[00:25:59] Because I remember getting on this pot,

[00:26:02] and this is where I'll say I was wrong.

[00:26:04] I thought DeMar DeRozan would help that offense

[00:26:08] in the sense of, here, let's lean into the scoring.

[00:26:12] We have another guy that you have to worry about.

[00:26:15] I did not realize that it wasn't going to work.

[00:26:21] And it was going to even further decimate their defense.

[00:26:26] And that's where we are at this point.

[00:26:28] That's where we are.

[00:26:30] You know, it's a terrible situation.

[00:26:33] Here's the thing.

[00:26:34] Here's the defense stat that we need to talk about.

[00:26:36] They're 26th in the league in defensive rating.

[00:26:39] They have 117.6 defensive rating at this point.

[00:26:44] And it shows.

[00:26:46] Even...

[00:26:46] Oh, that's the Lakers.

[00:26:47] I'm sorry.

[00:26:48] This is the Lakers.

[00:26:51] Sorry.

[00:26:51] Sorry about that.

[00:26:52] I got ahead of myself.

[00:26:54] But their defense is deplorable.

[00:26:58] Deplorable.

[00:27:00] And yes, the shooting has gotten better.

[00:27:03] But defense will always be a problem for Sacramento.

[00:27:07] So, we're going to move on to the Lakers because I got ahead of myself, obviously.

[00:27:13] And...

[00:27:15] Here is what I'll say about the Lakers right now.

[00:27:19] They're 13-11.

[00:27:21] But it just...

[00:27:22] It doesn't feel good.

[00:27:25] They went on that terrible stretch.

[00:27:27] And their defense is 26th in the league.

[00:27:30] With a defensive rating of 117.6.

[00:27:35] And it...

[00:27:35] It just shows.

[00:27:38] Even with LeBron's brilliance, his on-off splits are a positive 6.2.

[00:27:44] But this supporting cast is not consistent enough.

[00:27:48] And, uh...

[00:27:49] There was an article by Steve Bolfett of The Heavy.

[00:27:53] And he called out this team.

[00:27:55] He said the team wasn't built for sustained success.

[00:27:58] And they're stuck in a hamster wheel.

[00:28:01] So...

[00:28:02] Now, I'm going to tell you right now.

[00:28:04] I agree with that.

[00:28:07] Um...

[00:28:08] I agree that they are stuck.

[00:28:11] And they have a really big decision to make.

[00:28:14] And it's been making a round on the podcast about what do you do about LeBron?

[00:28:19] Is LeBron going to the Warriors?

[00:28:21] Is LeBron going here?

[00:28:22] Is LeBron going there?

[00:28:23] Here's the thing.

[00:28:25] First of all, he's not going to the Warriors.

[00:28:27] Because you'd have to take back so much from the Warriors.

[00:28:32] Then they will be in the same situation that the Lakers are in right now.

[00:28:36] They just don't have enough depth to sustain any losses whatsoever.

[00:28:41] So, Austin Reeves has been out for a while.

[00:28:44] They've struggled.

[00:28:45] So, you couldn't take somebody out of that lineup.

[00:28:50] And I'll explain why in a little bit.

[00:28:53] But...

[00:28:54] You couldn't take somebody out of that lineup and expect success.

[00:28:59] It was built to delicately for that to happen.

[00:29:03] And we'll get to the reason why.

[00:29:06] Now...

[00:29:07] Would he go to Sacramento?

[00:29:12] Could he commute to Sacramento?

[00:29:15] Private Jet?

[00:29:17] MVP?

[00:29:18] Yeah, he could do that.

[00:29:22] Here's the thing.

[00:29:25] They probably do have a salary to match.

[00:29:29] You know...

[00:29:30] Probably have a couple.

[00:29:31] That they could use.

[00:29:32] To get this done.

[00:29:36] I just don't see...

[00:29:37] I think that LeBron and the Lakers are married at a...

[00:29:42] Like a level of...

[00:29:45] It's kind of like...

[00:29:47] When...

[00:29:48] I'm trying to think...

[00:29:50] When Time Warner...

[00:29:52] Bought...

[00:29:53] You know, they started acquiring things...

[00:29:55] And whatever was like AOL...

[00:29:57] And stuff like that.

[00:29:59] Because they were trying to build up their digital media side.

[00:30:03] And this is the same thing.

[00:30:04] So, you have a marriage of convenience.

[00:30:07] The Lakers needed...

[00:30:10] A high profile talent.

[00:30:11] Because Kobe...

[00:30:13] Because Kobe...

[00:30:13] Had retired.

[00:30:15] And...

[00:30:16] Probably broke down a little bit earlier than they expected...

[00:30:19] Because of the Achilles.

[00:30:23] LeBron needed...

[00:30:25] A team that...

[00:30:28] He could...

[00:30:31] Use...

[00:30:31] In the sense of like...

[00:30:33] Okay...

[00:30:33] This is a good...

[00:30:34] Like...

[00:30:35] Um...

[00:30:36] Prestigious team...

[00:30:38] You can...

[00:30:40] You can...

[00:30:40] The Lakers are always in the news...

[00:30:42] You never have to worry about...

[00:30:44] Any Laker coverage...

[00:30:46] Because it's always there.

[00:30:47] It's always thrown in your face.

[00:30:49] ESPN throws it in your face...

[00:30:51] Time and time and time again.

[00:30:54] So, he went to the right team...

[00:30:56] When it caused...

[00:30:57] Talks about notoriety.

[00:31:00] The problem is...

[00:31:02] That now...

[00:31:02] At 39...

[00:31:03] We'll have to be 40...

[00:31:04] In a couple weeks here...

[00:31:06] Your defensive liability...

[00:31:10] You can't help...

[00:31:12] Anthony Davis...

[00:31:12] On the weak side...

[00:31:14] Not often enough...

[00:31:19] The defensive situations...

[00:31:21] Yes...

[00:31:21] The guards are not great...

[00:31:23] At defense...

[00:31:24] Your perimeter defense...

[00:31:25] Is not great...

[00:31:26] Which makes it all...

[00:31:29] The more glaring...

[00:31:30] About what LeBron is...

[00:31:32] And what he's...

[00:31:33] Capable of doing...

[00:31:35] And what he's not capable...

[00:31:36] Of doing...

[00:31:37] At this present time...

[00:31:39] Again...

[00:31:40] We always talk about the age...

[00:31:42] Because...

[00:31:43] I think the age...

[00:31:44] Is important...

[00:31:45] Not just because of the number...

[00:31:46] It's because of the miles...

[00:31:48] That he has put...

[00:31:49] Onto his body...

[00:31:51] All the running around...

[00:31:53] All the training...

[00:31:54] To get ready...

[00:31:56] To get his body...

[00:31:57] Activated...

[00:31:58] To play...

[00:31:59] 82 games...

[00:32:00] Like...

[00:32:00] He's taking tonight off...

[00:32:02] And he won't be playing...

[00:32:04] 82 games...

[00:32:05] But...

[00:32:05] I'm sure that man...

[00:32:07] Puts himself through enough...

[00:32:09] To get himself ready...

[00:32:11] To play...

[00:32:11] In the NBA season...

[00:32:14] Now...

[00:32:15] It's just not good enough...

[00:32:17] At this point...

[00:32:18] You see what's...

[00:32:19] At the top of the list...

[00:32:21] You know...

[00:32:22] Oklahoma City is long...

[00:32:24] They're super athletic...

[00:32:26] They have diversity...

[00:32:29] In the offense...

[00:32:30] They share the ball...

[00:32:32] This situation...

[00:32:34] That...

[00:32:34] Yeah...

[00:32:35] I understand Austin is out...

[00:32:36] But...

[00:32:38] And maybe they can't trust...

[00:32:40] And see...

[00:32:41] There's a point...

[00:32:42] There's a point...

[00:32:44] There's a point...

[00:32:56] They don't trust...

[00:32:57] D'Lo...

[00:32:58] In long stretches...

[00:33:00] Short bursts...

[00:33:01] Things of that nature...

[00:33:03] For sure...

[00:33:25] For sure...

[00:33:26] You ask me...

[00:33:27] What...

[00:33:28] Could you do...

[00:33:29] To fix this team...

[00:33:31] I'll give you a solution...

[00:33:34] There's two...

[00:33:37] There's...

[00:33:38] The route of...

[00:33:40] Let's...

[00:33:42] Let's put...

[00:33:44] What we can around...

[00:33:44] LeBron and AD...

[00:33:46] And see...

[00:33:47] If their brilliance...

[00:33:48] Can take the other guys...

[00:33:50] Up a notch...

[00:33:51] A la what they did...

[00:33:52] A couple years ago...

[00:33:53] When they brought in...

[00:33:54] D'Angelo Russell...

[00:33:56] So...

[00:33:57] Now...

[00:33:58] Obviously...

[00:33:59] You're gonna have to get people...

[00:34:00] To agree to all this...

[00:34:02] So that's the other part...

[00:34:03] Is...

[00:34:04] Having people...

[00:34:05] To say yes...

[00:34:07] To this...

[00:34:08] Now...

[00:34:09] I believe that...

[00:34:10] They do need a big...

[00:34:12] But I also think...

[00:34:13] They need another wing...

[00:34:14] And...

[00:34:15] I think that...

[00:34:17] If you can somehow...

[00:34:18] Swing some sort of...

[00:34:19] Situation...

[00:34:20] Where you can get...

[00:34:21] Cameron Johnson...

[00:34:23] And...

[00:34:24] Bring back...

[00:34:25] Old Laker favorite...

[00:34:27] Dennis Schroeder...

[00:34:29] And then...

[00:34:30] And give one first rounder...

[00:34:32] To Brooklyn Nets...

[00:34:33] And then take...

[00:34:34] The next second...

[00:34:36] The next first rounder...

[00:34:37] And maybe give it to Utah...

[00:34:39] And then throw in like a...

[00:34:41] Rui Hachimura...

[00:34:43] And some other pieces...

[00:34:45] And get Walker Kessler...

[00:34:47] And maybe...

[00:34:48] Um...

[00:34:49] Either Jordan Clarkson...

[00:34:51] Or someone else...

[00:34:53] Of that ilk...

[00:34:55] From there...

[00:34:55] Or call it Sexton...

[00:34:57] You know...

[00:34:58] Get you a couple guards...

[00:35:00] Out of this situation...

[00:35:03] Now you're talking about a...

[00:35:04] Now you're talking about a team...

[00:35:06] That has enough firepower...

[00:35:07] Also...

[00:35:08] You have enough...

[00:35:09] Ball pressure...

[00:35:10] You have enough...

[00:35:12] Shooting...

[00:35:12] You have some wing...

[00:35:14] Like...

[00:35:15] Differential wing depth...

[00:35:17] Situations...

[00:35:17] That you can deal with...

[00:35:19] The problem with the Lakers is...

[00:35:21] Is that...

[00:35:22] They don't have enough depth...

[00:35:24] On the back end...

[00:35:25] So...

[00:35:26] Right now...

[00:35:26] The way the Lakers are structured...

[00:35:29] And...

[00:35:30] And this is...

[00:35:31] When...

[00:35:31] Until...

[00:35:32] Austin gets back...

[00:35:33] Like...

[00:35:34] LeBron is your point guard...

[00:35:37] Then you got...

[00:35:38] Dalton Connect...

[00:35:40] You got Rui...

[00:35:41] You got AD...

[00:35:43] And then whoever else...

[00:35:44] Now...

[00:35:46] Coming off the bench...

[00:35:47] You got...

[00:35:49] D'Angelo Russell...

[00:35:52] Cam Reddish...

[00:35:54] And whomever else...

[00:35:57] Oh...

[00:35:57] Gabe Vincent...

[00:35:58] Gabe Vincent finally gave them some help...

[00:36:01] Alright...

[00:36:02] So you got all that...

[00:36:03] But...

[00:36:05] That's not...

[00:36:06] That's not as talented...

[00:36:07] As the Oklahoma City Thunder...

[00:36:10] They're not as talented...

[00:36:11] As the Golden State Warriors...

[00:36:13] They're not as talented...

[00:36:14] As the Clippers...

[00:36:15] They're just...

[00:36:15] They're just...

[00:36:16] Not enough talent...

[00:36:18] On this team...

[00:36:19] Not enough production...

[00:36:20] On this team...

[00:36:21] Not enough diversity...

[00:36:23] In defense...

[00:36:24] And offense...

[00:36:25] Of players...

[00:36:26] Or whatever...

[00:36:26] Where you can kind of...

[00:36:27] Mix and match them...

[00:36:28] And create kind of like...

[00:36:29] The perfect stoop...

[00:36:32] So...

[00:36:32] If the Lakers want to fix it...

[00:36:34] There's a chance to fix it...

[00:36:35] Now...

[00:36:36] Obviously...

[00:36:37] All these things are...

[00:36:38] Out there...

[00:36:42] Where...

[00:36:43] Could it happen?

[00:36:45] Yeah...

[00:36:45] But somebody's gonna have to say yes to this...

[00:36:48] And that's the problem...

[00:36:49] Who's gonna say yes?

[00:36:51] Because nobody's gonna give the Lakers a discount...

[00:36:53] That's not happening...

[00:36:55] So...

[00:36:56] We're stuck there...

[00:36:58] Here's the other thing...

[00:36:59] That we want to talk about...

[00:37:00] I want to talk about Mike Brown...

[00:37:02] A little bit...

[00:37:02] Mike Brown...

[00:37:05] Deserves...

[00:37:05] A little love...

[00:37:06] Uh...

[00:37:07] Keeping Sacramento...

[00:37:09] Competitive...

[00:37:10] Right now...

[00:37:11] Their defensive box plus minus...

[00:37:13] Is a negative...

[00:37:14] 1.8...

[00:37:15] Which still...

[00:37:16] Highlights their need for improvement...

[00:37:18] But...

[00:37:19] He's really been...

[00:37:21] A guy who...

[00:37:23] Has worked...

[00:37:26] With...

[00:37:27] He's done a lot with a little...

[00:37:30] I think the improvements that De'Aaron Fox have made...

[00:37:33] Now...

[00:37:33] This could be individual...

[00:37:34] He's done this on his own...

[00:37:36] Because I know De'Aaron Fox...

[00:37:37] Wants to be great...

[00:37:40] But his improvements...

[00:37:43] Just...

[00:37:43] The enthusiasm that he has given...

[00:37:45] Even to the Sacramento Kings...

[00:37:47] And that organization...

[00:37:51] It is...

[00:37:51] Really hard to win in the West...

[00:37:53] And what they're doing...

[00:37:55] Right now...

[00:37:56] Is really impressive...

[00:37:58] Just trying to stay afloat...

[00:37:59] With what they have...

[00:38:01] You know...

[00:38:02] And it's one of those tough situations...

[00:38:05] Because...

[00:38:06] If you're looking at this...

[00:38:08] And going...

[00:38:08] Oh...

[00:38:10] Well...

[00:38:10] This is where we are...

[00:38:15] He's still trying to get everything he can...

[00:38:17] Out of Keegan Murray...

[00:38:18] He's still trying to get everything he can...

[00:38:20] Out of DeMantis Savonis...

[00:38:22] Wait...

[00:38:22] Savonis is...

[00:38:23] Trying to shoot the three...

[00:38:25] He's trying to do these things...

[00:38:26] It is...

[00:38:27] Absolutely nuts...

[00:38:29] What's going on...

[00:38:30] With this...

[00:38:33] Particular team...

[00:38:34] So...

[00:38:39] Sacramento...

[00:38:39] They need a trade...

[00:38:41] We just gotta figure out...

[00:38:42] What is going to get it there...

[00:38:45] So...

[00:38:46] Here's the thing...

[00:38:48] If you are a fan of any one of these teams...

[00:38:51] Sacramento...

[00:38:51] Phoenix...

[00:38:52] The two Los Angeles teams...

[00:38:54] Or the Golden State Warriors...

[00:38:55] Hit me up on...

[00:38:56] X...

[00:38:56] At FrontRunnerPC...

[00:38:58] Or hit me up on...

[00:38:59] BlueSky...

[00:39:00] At FrontRunnerPC...

[00:39:01] Dot...

[00:39:02] BSky...

[00:39:03] Dot...

[00:39:03] Social...

[00:39:04] Alright...

[00:39:05] Now...

[00:39:06] We're gonna get to...

[00:39:07] One of our favorite segments...

[00:39:09] Of the podcast...

[00:39:11] It's called...

[00:39:11] The Baseline Buzz...

[00:39:13] Where we kind of bounce around...

[00:39:15] And we talk about certain things...

[00:39:16] And whatever the case may be...

[00:39:18] So...

[00:39:18] We gonna do that...

[00:39:19] So let's get into it...

[00:39:23] So...

[00:39:24] We're gonna first...

[00:39:25] We're gonna set the stage...

[00:39:26] Right now...

[00:39:27] The NBA New Apron Rules...

[00:39:30] Are making GMs...

[00:39:31] Rethink their strategies this season...

[00:39:34] As Brian Windhorse...

[00:39:35] Of ESPN reported...

[00:39:37] There could be fewer deals...

[00:39:38] That are made at the trade deadline...

[00:39:40] Because...

[00:39:41] Teams are being...

[00:39:43] Much more careful about...

[00:39:45] Contracts that they take on...

[00:39:47] Uh...

[00:39:48] For example...

[00:39:48] Like Zach Levine...

[00:39:50] Uh...

[00:39:51] This has been a...

[00:39:52] Ongoing saga...

[00:39:54] Obviously...

[00:39:55] He didn't have trade value...

[00:39:57] During the offseason...

[00:39:58] Because...

[00:39:59] He was coming off surgery...

[00:40:01] They wanted to see him play...

[00:40:03] Now...

[00:40:04] Zach Levine has played well...

[00:40:06] Um...

[00:40:07] Albeit for Chicago...

[00:40:09] Who is struggling...

[00:40:10] Whatever the case may be...

[00:40:11] But...

[00:40:12] What he's given them...

[00:40:13] Has been pretty good...

[00:40:15] And there's still...

[00:40:17] No...

[00:40:18] Takers...

[00:40:19] There's still no takers...

[00:40:21] Because...

[00:40:22] Zach Levine makes...

[00:40:23] 43 million dollars...

[00:40:26] So...

[00:40:29] It's a shiny new car...

[00:40:31] It looks great...

[00:40:34] But...

[00:40:35] Can I afford the payments?

[00:40:36] Right?

[00:40:37] Can I afford the payments?

[00:40:39] Really?

[00:40:39] And what does it do to my depth...

[00:40:41] If I do this?

[00:40:44] So...

[00:40:46] You got a lot of GMs out there...

[00:40:48] Thinking like this...

[00:40:49] Now...

[00:40:51] Meanwhile...

[00:40:51] In Los Angeles...

[00:40:52] Here...

[00:40:53] Here...

[00:40:54] Where I live...

[00:40:55] Uh...

[00:40:56] You have Rob Palenka...

[00:40:57] Who has told us that...

[00:40:59] Making deals are hard...

[00:41:00] That's what he told us...

[00:41:01] In the offseason...

[00:41:02] Making deals is really...

[00:41:04] Really difficult...

[00:41:05] You shouldn't be mad at me...

[00:41:09] And then you got the Sixers...

[00:41:11] Who are...

[00:41:12] Uh...

[00:41:12] Looking to make a splash...

[00:41:13] The Lakers are...

[00:41:15] Are in 8th right now...

[00:41:17] They're sitting at 13 and 11...

[00:41:19] And...

[00:41:19] LeBron is nursing a foot injury...

[00:41:22] They're searching for answers...

[00:41:24] And Tim Bontemps...

[00:41:25] Of ESPN...

[00:41:27] Said they're both...

[00:41:29] Reclining...

[00:41:30] A point guard...

[00:41:31] And a big man...

[00:41:32] So they both have the same thought...

[00:41:34] In their head...

[00:41:35] As far as that's concerned...

[00:41:36] Now the Sixers...

[00:41:37] They're reclawing...

[00:41:38] Themselves back from a 2-12 start...

[00:41:41] Darryl Murray...

[00:41:42] Is...

[00:41:42] And always...

[00:41:43] Is ready to make a deal...

[00:41:45] They've got assets...

[00:41:47] Like...

[00:41:49] Maxie...

[00:41:50] And Bede...

[00:41:51] And George...

[00:41:52] But the health of this team...

[00:41:55] Is...

[00:41:56] Tenuous at best...

[00:41:58] Because here's the thing...

[00:42:00] I don't care how...

[00:42:01] Aggressive Darryl Murray wants to be...

[00:42:05] Joel Embiid...

[00:42:06] Is gonna play...

[00:42:08] Very infrequently...

[00:42:09] We're gonna have games where he shows up...

[00:42:11] We're gonna have games where he doesn't...

[00:42:14] So...

[00:42:14] Until you are able to solve that problem...

[00:42:17] And since...

[00:42:17] Nobody thought...

[00:42:19] That the idea I had...

[00:42:21] Last time we spoke about Philadelphia...

[00:42:23] Was that...

[00:42:24] Maybe...

[00:42:26] We shut Embiid down this year...

[00:42:28] Go get the draft pick...

[00:42:30] Because this is a good draft...

[00:42:31] And then we even build the team even stronger...

[00:42:35] Nope...

[00:42:36] We're not doing that...

[00:42:37] We're pressing on...

[00:42:39] We're trying to win games...

[00:42:41] Whatever...

[00:42:41] This is what we've been saying...

[00:42:43] So we'll see...

[00:42:45] So it's gonna be like...

[00:42:48] It's gonna be like...

[00:42:49] He's gonna play for a couple games...

[00:42:51] Joel Embiid...

[00:42:52] And then it's gonna be like Bigfoot...

[00:42:53] He's just gonna be gone...

[00:42:54] We're gonna see him...

[00:42:55] It's gonna be like Kawhi East...

[00:42:58] So we'll see...

[00:42:59] How that works...

[00:43:00] And then you got the Warriors...

[00:43:02] And the Warriors are sitting in 5th place...

[00:43:05] And...

[00:43:05] All the chatter...

[00:43:06] Is Jimmy Butler...

[00:43:08] And...

[00:43:09] What's gonna happen with this person...

[00:43:11] And that person...

[00:43:12] And this person...

[00:43:13] We might have some answers for you...

[00:43:15] So...

[00:43:16] Let's give you a couple like...

[00:43:19] Little quick pictures of how everything is working...

[00:43:22] Alright...

[00:43:23] Let's talk about the Lakers real quick...

[00:43:25] The strategy seems to be clear...

[00:43:27] And it has been clear for a couple years...

[00:43:30] This script...

[00:43:31] Is the same as Ben...

[00:43:33] So...

[00:43:33] Laker fans have heard this...

[00:43:35] Script...

[00:43:36] Um...

[00:43:38] Since...

[00:43:39] Literally he got here...

[00:43:40] But...

[00:43:40] D'Angelo Russell's...

[00:43:42] Expiring contract...

[00:43:43] And their 2029 pick...

[00:43:45] And their 2031 pick...

[00:43:47] Those are the pieces that they have...

[00:43:51] So...

[00:43:51] They don't have a lot to deal with...

[00:43:54] They don't have...

[00:43:55] They're not coming from a position of strength...

[00:43:57] People do not look at D'Angelo Russell as an asset...

[00:44:01] But they do like those picks...

[00:44:03] So...

[00:44:04] How do you get people?

[00:44:06] Right?

[00:44:07] Well the first thing that you do...

[00:44:11] And...

[00:44:12] It might change in the next couple days...

[00:44:14] Is that you don't have pressure...

[00:44:15] Being put on you...

[00:44:17] By LeBron James...

[00:44:19] So...

[00:44:20] So far so good...

[00:44:21] LeBron has been happy...

[00:44:23] So far...

[00:44:24] I don't know how happy he is right now...

[00:44:26] With him losing...

[00:44:27] And his defense sucking...

[00:44:30] But...

[00:44:32] So far he hasn't said anything...

[00:44:33] But...

[00:44:34] We also understand who LeBron James is...

[00:44:37] We know what he's gonna do...

[00:44:39] He's gonna talk some shit...

[00:44:40] Because that's what LeBron do...

[00:44:42] Oh this dude ain't playing hard...

[00:44:43] We need to change up some stuff...

[00:44:45] Blah blah blah...

[00:44:45] I'm gonna send out a cryptic tweet...

[00:44:48] And nobody's gonna know what the hell I'm talking about...

[00:44:50] And then I'm gonna say...

[00:44:51] I don't know what you guys are talking about either...

[00:44:53] I have no idea what you're talking about...

[00:44:56] And then it's gonna be great...

[00:44:58] And then...

[00:44:58] D'Angelo Russell is probably gonna sulk...

[00:45:01] And...

[00:45:02] Austin Reeves is gonna sit there and look confused...

[00:45:04] Because he's gonna be like...

[00:45:05] I don't even know what the hell is going on...

[00:45:08] And then Dalton Connect is a rookie...

[00:45:11] He's gonna be like...

[00:45:12] I don't know what the hell is going on...

[00:45:14] But...

[00:45:14] Do I get to shoot more?

[00:45:16] That's the most important thing to me...

[00:45:18] Right?

[00:45:19] So...

[00:45:20] We'll see how it all goes...

[00:45:22] Now...

[00:45:22] The Timberwolves...

[00:45:25] Are another team...

[00:45:27] Now...

[00:45:28] He's...

[00:45:28] Now...

[00:45:29] LeBron is not playing tonight...

[00:45:30] We talked about that...

[00:45:32] Um...

[00:45:34] Okay...

[00:45:34] First of all...

[00:45:35] I didn't...

[00:45:36] Oh, wow...

[00:45:36] Thank you, Soraya...

[00:45:38] Soraya just put a stat in the chat...

[00:45:40] That I wanna get to...

[00:45:41] LeBron James...

[00:45:42] Is...

[00:45:43] Uh...

[00:45:44] Their offensive rating when he's on the court...

[00:45:46] Is 114.4...

[00:45:49] Okay...

[00:45:49] It's great...

[00:45:50] This is okay...

[00:45:51] Right?

[00:45:52] When he's off the court...

[00:45:54] Right now...

[00:45:57] And 3.2...

[00:45:58] That is...

[00:45:59] Absolutely...

[00:46:00] Terrible...

[00:46:01] That's like...

[00:46:02] Worst team in the league...

[00:46:04] Bad...

[00:46:06] So...

[00:46:07] Do they need a trade...

[00:46:09] To better what this team is?

[00:46:11] Yes...

[00:46:12] How much better can they be?

[00:46:15] That's a question...

[00:46:17] That we also need to get to the bottom of...

[00:46:20] Now...

[00:46:20] Let's get to the Sixers...

[00:46:23] Daryl Morey...

[00:46:24] Is all...

[00:46:25] Is famous for making deals...

[00:46:27] He will be aggressive...

[00:46:29] He's promised to be aggressive...

[00:46:35] Here is a wild stat...

[00:46:37] When Tyrese Maxey...

[00:46:38] Joel Embiid...

[00:46:39] Paul George...

[00:46:40] And Jerry McClain...

[00:46:41] Are on the floor together...

[00:46:43] The Sixers have a net rating of...

[00:46:46] A plus...

[00:46:48] 15.2...

[00:46:50] But they've only played two games...

[00:46:52] As a unit...

[00:46:56] Tell me...

[00:46:57] Have you heard...

[00:46:58] This...

[00:46:59] Before...

[00:47:00] Philadelphia...

[00:47:02] 76ers...

[00:47:02] Fan...

[00:47:03] You got this small sample size...

[00:47:06] Of something really awesome...

[00:47:07] But you can't see it...

[00:47:09] Because the dude...

[00:47:10] That you have been waiting for...

[00:47:12] For a decade...

[00:47:14] Basically...

[00:47:15] Still can't get right...

[00:47:20] Man...

[00:47:20] It's tough...

[00:47:21] It's tough...

[00:47:22] When you pay a guy...

[00:47:23] And he...

[00:47:23] He's your guy...

[00:47:25] And then he...

[00:47:26] You turn out...

[00:47:27] And go...

[00:47:27] Man...

[00:47:27] We paid the wrong guy...

[00:47:29] Paid the wrong guy...

[00:47:30] But what were you supposed to do?

[00:47:32] I mean...

[00:47:33] He's super talented...

[00:47:34] I mean...

[00:47:35] Joel Embiid...

[00:47:36] Even compromise...

[00:47:37] Is...

[00:47:38] A...

[00:47:39] High 20...

[00:47:42] Point...

[00:47:42] Per game guy...

[00:47:43] He's gonna fall into 10 rebounds...

[00:47:46] Just because of how ginormous he is...

[00:47:49] So what do you do?

[00:47:50] What do you do?

[00:47:52] Now the Bulls...

[00:47:54] Their issue is...

[00:47:55] They have a land of misfit toys...

[00:47:58] That nobody seems to want...

[00:48:00] And that's why they're in Chicago...

[00:48:02] So...

[00:48:03] Zach Levine...

[00:48:03] We talked about a little bit earlier...

[00:48:05] He's averaging 22 points a game...

[00:48:07] He's also shooting 50.6% from the field...

[00:48:12] He's off to the best start ever...

[00:48:14] That he's ever had...

[00:48:15] And...

[00:48:16] Brian...

[00:48:17] Wimhorst...

[00:48:18] Of ESPN...

[00:48:19] Is reporting that...

[00:48:20] Nothing has changed...

[00:48:21] Regarding his trade...

[00:48:22] Interests...

[00:48:23] Why?

[00:48:24] Because of the salary...

[00:48:26] 43 million dollar contract...

[00:48:28] Teams are hesitant...

[00:48:29] To commit to a player...

[00:48:31] Who's good...

[00:48:31] But not great...

[00:48:32] Under the new...

[00:48:33] NBA financial...

[00:48:35] Landscape...

[00:48:35] Which is the second...

[00:48:36] The first and second acre...

[00:48:38] It is just too...

[00:48:39] Pieny to put yourself...

[00:48:40] In that situation...

[00:48:41] If this dude...

[00:48:42] Does not fit...

[00:48:44] Exactly right...

[00:48:45] The chemistry...

[00:48:47] Must be...

[00:48:48] Concise now...

[00:48:50] Because there's no way out...

[00:48:53] But here's the interesting thing...

[00:48:55] If Levine...

[00:48:56] Keeps playing like...

[00:48:57] This...

[00:48:58] And if the contenders...

[00:49:00] Get desperate...

[00:49:01] Might we see a deal...

[00:49:03] Bulls fans...

[00:49:04] What do you think...

[00:49:05] The ideal...

[00:49:06] Trade scenario...

[00:49:08] For Levine is...

[00:49:09] And what are you expecting...

[00:49:11] To get back...

[00:49:12] In return...

[00:49:14] Let us know...

[00:49:14] Hit me up on...

[00:49:16] At...

[00:49:16] Frontrunner PC...

[00:49:18] Or hit me up on...

[00:49:19] Blue Sky...

[00:49:20] At...

[00:49:20] Frontrunner...

[00:49:22] PC...

[00:49:23] Dot...

[00:49:23] B Sky...

[00:49:24] Dot...

[00:49:25] Social...

[00:49:25] The next team...

[00:49:27] That I want to talk about...

[00:49:28] Is the Brooklyn Nets...

[00:49:30] And the Brooklyn Nets...

[00:49:32] They're going through their situation...

[00:49:34] And...

[00:49:35] Jordy Fernandez...

[00:49:36] Is coaching too well...

[00:49:38] So...

[00:49:40] Brooklyn Nets have...

[00:49:41] Cam Johnson...

[00:49:42] Dennis Schroeder...

[00:49:43] Dorian Finney-Smith...

[00:49:44] I am sure...

[00:49:45] You have heard these names...

[00:49:48] Ad nauseum...

[00:49:49] I'm sure you're tired...

[00:49:51] Of hearing these names...

[00:49:53] That the Brooklyn Nets...

[00:49:54] Have these...

[00:49:55] These...

[00:49:56] Magical...

[00:49:57] Mythical guys...

[00:49:58] That are going to make...

[00:49:59] All your dreams come true...

[00:50:00] As soon as you get them...

[00:50:02] On to your team...

[00:50:03] I'm sure there's probably about...

[00:50:04] Six or seven franchises...

[00:50:06] Out there...

[00:50:07] That you...

[00:50:07] You read a blog...

[00:50:09] Or...

[00:50:09] They have a YouTube page...

[00:50:11] And they're like...

[00:50:11] Man...

[00:50:12] We got Cam Johnson...

[00:50:13] It is all over...

[00:50:14] You can give us the title...

[00:50:15] Right now...

[00:50:16] Well...

[00:50:16] We'll see...

[00:50:18] Cut the brakes a little bit...

[00:50:20] But...

[00:50:21] Brooklyn needs to do something...

[00:50:22] About these guys...

[00:50:23] Because...

[00:50:24] Until they do...

[00:50:26] They're going to continue...

[00:50:27] To win games...

[00:50:28] And I...

[00:50:29] That was not the goal...

[00:50:30] Of the assignment...

[00:50:31] This year...

[00:50:32] The goal of the assignment...

[00:50:34] This year...

[00:50:35] Was...

[00:50:35] To...

[00:50:36] Lose...

[00:50:39] Now...

[00:50:40] Here's the kicker...

[00:50:40] Brooklyn has...

[00:50:41] 15 first round picks...

[00:50:43] Over the next seven years...

[00:50:46] So right now...

[00:50:47] They're just being patient...

[00:50:48] But they need to get rid of...

[00:50:50] Some of these dudes...

[00:50:52] So...

[00:50:53] Where are they going to go?

[00:50:54] I know the Lakers are interested...

[00:50:56] In a bunch of the...

[00:50:57] Bunch of the guys that they have...

[00:50:59] Uh...

[00:51:00] I think...

[00:51:01] At the top of their list...

[00:51:02] Is Cam Johnson...

[00:51:03] I think...

[00:51:04] I think...

[00:51:04] If they had a plan B...

[00:51:06] Like if you had to rate...

[00:51:07] The tier level...

[00:51:08] I think Cam Johnson would be...

[00:51:10] At the top of the list...

[00:51:11] For the Lakers...

[00:51:12] And then...

[00:51:13] The plan B would be...

[00:51:16] DFS...

[00:51:16] And then plan C would be...

[00:51:18] Dennis Schroeder...

[00:51:19] But...

[00:51:20] Brooklyn...

[00:51:21] They can't wait too long...

[00:51:24] Because here's the problem...

[00:51:26] Dennis Schroeder is having...

[00:51:27] A career year...

[00:51:28] He's averaging...

[00:51:29] 18.6 points a game...

[00:51:31] He's also averaging...

[00:51:32] 6.5 assists a game...

[00:51:35] Cam Johnson is shooting...

[00:51:36] 43.4% from three...

[00:51:39] So...

[00:51:40] This is what Sean Marks is saying...

[00:51:42] He says...

[00:51:43] I'm sitting back...

[00:51:43] And waiting for the best offer...

[00:51:45] But here's the deal...

[00:51:46] You need to put some sort of...

[00:51:48] Due date on that guy...

[00:51:50] Mr. Marks...

[00:51:52] You don't want to get into like...

[00:51:54] January 15th...

[00:51:55] And you sitting up there...

[00:51:57] And you're still like...

[00:51:58] A game or two...

[00:51:59] Under 500...

[00:52:00] And now you gotta somehow...

[00:52:03] G League your team up...

[00:52:06] To...

[00:52:07] To go ahead and lose...

[00:52:08] The rest of the games...

[00:52:09] That you need to lose...

[00:52:11] So...

[00:52:11] Chop chop...

[00:52:13] Sean Marks...

[00:52:15] Tick top...

[00:52:17] Clock is ticking...

[00:52:17] My guy...

[00:52:18] Let's go...

[00:52:19] Alright...

[00:52:20] Let's get to the Warriors...

[00:52:22] Obviously the Warriors...

[00:52:23] Are looking for a second score...

[00:52:25] Steph Curry...

[00:52:26] Is putting up...

[00:52:27] MVP numbers...

[00:52:28] But the supporting cast...

[00:52:30] Is not delivering...

[00:52:31] Go State...

[00:52:32] Is reported...

[00:52:33] Eyeing all the Brooklyn assets...

[00:52:35] That we just talked about...

[00:52:36] So...

[00:52:37] You know...

[00:52:38] You have that...

[00:52:39] Now here's the other thing...

[00:52:40] What do they have to give up?

[00:52:43] DeAnthony Melton's contract...

[00:52:45] Is an expiring contract...

[00:52:46] But obviously...

[00:52:48] They would have to...

[00:52:49] Have some draft picks...

[00:52:50] And they just don't have enough of them...

[00:52:53] So...

[00:52:54] They're gonna have to be...

[00:52:55] Really creative...

[00:52:56] In what they have to do...

[00:52:58] And I think...

[00:52:58] The biggest piece...

[00:53:00] That they have to give...

[00:53:03] Is Kaminga...

[00:53:04] Kaminga...

[00:53:04] But the problem...

[00:53:06] With the Kaminga situation...

[00:53:08] Is this...

[00:53:10] Is this...

[00:53:12] Is this...

[00:53:13] If the Warriors...

[00:53:15] Land Cam Johnson...

[00:53:16] Schroeder or...

[00:53:17] Um...

[00:53:18] Finney Smith...

[00:53:18] That's 47.6 points...

[00:53:21] Per game...

[00:53:21] Added to their roster...

[00:53:23] That's the kind of firepower...

[00:53:25] That could make them a threat...

[00:53:26] In the West...

[00:53:26] But Brooklyn holds all the cards...

[00:53:29] Right?

[00:53:30] With their asset...

[00:53:31] Rich...

[00:53:32] Future...

[00:53:32] And what have you...

[00:53:33] They can afford to wait...

[00:53:34] For the perfect deal...

[00:53:36] Now...

[00:53:37] With Dennis Schroeder...

[00:53:38] Being 31 years of age...

[00:53:40] You know...

[00:53:41] And...

[00:53:41] Played in high pressure situations...

[00:53:44] This is the exact type of guard...

[00:53:45] That you could put...

[00:53:46] Into a lot of situations...

[00:53:48] And really help out...

[00:53:50] That point of attack defense...

[00:53:52] That I've been talking about...

[00:53:53] With some teams...

[00:53:54] I.e.

[00:53:55] The Lakers...

[00:53:56] Right?

[00:54:01] So...

[00:54:02] Brooklyn's guys...

[00:54:03] Have seemed to be...

[00:54:05] Getting a lot of the buzz...

[00:54:07] Which is funny...

[00:54:08] Before Brandon Ingram got hurt...

[00:54:10] Even though he was having a great year...

[00:54:13] He wasn't getting buzzed...

[00:54:15] We just talked about...

[00:54:16] Zach Levine having a great year...

[00:54:18] Great year...

[00:54:19] Best of his career...

[00:54:24] Surefire production...

[00:54:25] From Zach Levine...

[00:54:27] Wherever he goes...

[00:54:28] It's gonna be surefire production...

[00:54:31] Can't get a snip...

[00:54:33] But who's getting all the buzz...

[00:54:35] It's the role players...

[00:54:36] Because...

[00:54:38] Dallas...

[00:54:39] And...

[00:54:41] Boston...

[00:54:43] And...

[00:54:43] Um...

[00:54:44] For lack of a better situation...

[00:54:47] Denver did it...

[00:54:48] As far as certain...

[00:54:49] The Lakers really started it...

[00:54:51] Back in 2020...

[00:54:52] In the bubble...

[00:54:53] If you have two really good players...

[00:54:55] Like really...

[00:54:56] Really get down...

[00:54:57] Gritty...

[00:54:58] Top 20...

[00:54:59] Top 25 players...

[00:55:00] And you have a real good...

[00:55:02] Supporting cast around them...

[00:55:03] You can win a championship...

[00:55:06] That's what we know...

[00:55:07] So...

[00:55:08] It doesn't surprise me...

[00:55:10] That Dennis Schroeder...

[00:55:11] Cam Johnson...

[00:55:12] And Dorian Finney-Smith...

[00:55:13] Are like the bells of the ball...

[00:55:15] When it comes to the trade deadline...

[00:55:17] And who...

[00:55:18] Are the most coveted pieces...

[00:55:20] Out there...

[00:55:22] It doesn't surprise me...

[00:55:24] Whatsoever...

[00:55:25] Because...

[00:55:26] Last year...

[00:55:27] We were yawning...

[00:55:28] At the trade deadline...

[00:55:29] We were like...

[00:55:30] Oh my god...

[00:55:30] This sucks...

[00:55:31] This is so boring...

[00:55:33] And PJ Washington...

[00:55:34] And Daniel Gafford...

[00:55:37] Were...

[00:55:38] Instrumental...

[00:55:39] Into allowing...

[00:55:40] The Dallas Mavericks...

[00:55:41] To make...

[00:55:42] The finals...

[00:55:44] So...

[00:55:44] That is...

[00:55:46] Where we are...

[00:55:47] At this point in time...

[00:55:49] The Lakers are in on these guys...

[00:55:52] Now...

[00:55:52] I want to say this about the whole...

[00:55:56] How can I put this...

[00:55:59] I want to say this about the Jimmy Butler thing...

[00:56:02] He's been wearing his hair orange...

[00:56:04] And everybody thinks he's going to Phoenix...

[00:56:07] And all this other stuff...

[00:56:08] Like...

[00:56:09] Is Miami giving...

[00:56:11] Jimmy Butler away for free?

[00:56:15] Because really the team that could get him...

[00:56:17] Well there's two...

[00:56:19] But the team that could get him...

[00:56:21] Is Houston...

[00:56:24] Houston has all the assets...

[00:56:26] They have the matching salaries...

[00:56:28] That they could give back...

[00:56:29] And...

[00:56:29] Not tear down the complete team...

[00:56:32] And they have the picks...

[00:56:35] What does Phoenix...

[00:56:37] What does Golden State...

[00:56:39] Have to give...

[00:56:41] That...

[00:56:41] Would be attractive...

[00:56:45] To Miami...

[00:56:47] Because...

[00:56:47] If you're telling me...

[00:56:49] You're giving their role players...

[00:56:50] Well they got a bunch of those already...

[00:56:54] They're looking for high caliber...

[00:56:57] Guy...

[00:56:57] Young guys...

[00:56:58] That...

[00:56:59] Okay...

[00:57:00] Maybe in a couple years...

[00:57:01] This turns into a real thing...

[00:57:03] Whatever the case may be...

[00:57:04] That's what they're looking for...

[00:57:07] If you're saying...

[00:57:09] Hey...

[00:57:09] Um...

[00:57:10] We'll give you...

[00:57:12] DeAnthony Melton's...

[00:57:13] Expiring contract...

[00:57:14] Ooh...

[00:57:15] He's super injured...

[00:57:16] He's not gonna play...

[00:57:18] Um...

[00:57:18] And then...

[00:57:20] Andrew Wiggins...

[00:57:21] Could you imagine...

[00:57:22] Andrew Wiggins...

[00:57:24] And Pat Riley together...

[00:57:27] I would pay...

[00:57:28] The NBA...

[00:57:29] See this is...

[00:57:30] Where the NBA...

[00:57:31] If they really want to get into...

[00:57:33] The content game...

[00:57:34] You imagine like a...

[00:57:36] Big Brother style...

[00:57:39] Pat Riley...

[00:57:42] Sitting there...

[00:57:43] Chilling...

[00:57:44] Just sitting there...

[00:57:45] Chilling with Andrew Wiggins...

[00:57:48] I'm just saying...

[00:57:50] So...

[00:57:51] I mean...

[00:57:51] They could...

[00:57:52] But...

[00:57:53] Then...

[00:57:53] Okay...

[00:57:54] Gold State gives them like...

[00:57:55] Three...

[00:57:55] Four dudes...

[00:57:56] Okay...

[00:57:57] What do they have left?

[00:57:59] Phoenix doesn't have...

[00:58:01] Any picks to give...

[00:58:02] So...

[00:58:03] What are they...

[00:58:03] Is there a magical...

[00:58:05] Serbian...

[00:58:06] That they have stashed...

[00:58:07] For like a couple years...

[00:58:09] That nobody knows about...

[00:58:10] And he's...

[00:58:11] Averaging 35 points...

[00:58:13] In some kind of like...

[00:58:15] Israeli league...

[00:58:16] That we don't know about?

[00:58:17] I don't know...

[00:58:19] But Houston is the team...

[00:58:22] Now...

[00:58:23] If...

[00:58:23] Orlando...

[00:58:24] Because of all the injuries...

[00:58:26] If they decided to maybe say...

[00:58:28] Hey...

[00:58:28] Can we get like another stabilizer?

[00:58:30] They could piece together...

[00:58:33] Three or four salaries...

[00:58:34] And still not...

[00:58:36] Kill...

[00:58:37] Like absolutely destroy their depth...

[00:58:39] Because they have enough young talent...

[00:58:42] That are currently not getting any time...

[00:58:45] On their roster...

[00:58:46] I'm thinking like...

[00:58:48] The Jet Howards of the world...

[00:58:49] Who...

[00:58:50] Jet Howard would...

[00:58:52] Be somebody that I think Miami...

[00:58:54] Would be intrigued by...

[00:58:55] Because of...

[00:58:56] Jawan Howard...

[00:58:57] Who played for the Miami Heat...

[00:58:59] And coached there...

[00:59:00] So...

[00:59:01] That might be something...

[00:59:03] To...

[00:59:03] To keep our eye out on...

[00:59:05] If we wanted like a dark horse team...

[00:59:07] That...

[00:59:09] Was...

[00:59:09] Looking for a stabilizer...

[00:59:11] And here's the thing with Orlando...

[00:59:13] They wouldn't be looking to take on...

[00:59:14] Jimmy Butler...

[00:59:15] For like this long period of time...

[00:59:17] So if they could get Jimmy Butler...

[00:59:19] On the cheap...

[00:59:19] Meaning like...

[00:59:20] We can get off some salaries...

[00:59:22] That we're kind of...

[00:59:23] We don't know about...

[00:59:25] Jet Howard would be one of those...

[00:59:26] Because he can't get any time on the court...

[00:59:28] Yeah...

[00:59:29] Maybe you can do something...

[00:59:30] You know...

[00:59:31] Maybe you can do something there...

[00:59:33] But...

[00:59:33] I don't agree with...

[00:59:36] The pundits...

[00:59:37] When they're talking about...

[00:59:38] Golden State...

[00:59:39] Or Phoenix...

[00:59:40] For Jimmy Butler...

[00:59:41] Unless something goes down...

[00:59:43] That I'm not...

[00:59:44] Really tapped in on yet...

[00:59:46] But all of my...

[00:59:47] Intel has told me...

[00:59:50] That really the team that has the assets...

[00:59:53] And really could want to make that push...

[00:59:55] Is the Houston Rockets...

[00:59:56] And what's coming out of that organization...

[00:59:59] Right now...

[01:00:00] Is that...

[01:00:01] They're kind of in the...

[01:00:03] This is what they're saying...

[01:00:04] They say they are in the...

[01:00:07] OKC pattern of last year...

[01:00:09] Let's get to the playoffs...

[01:00:10] Let's see what we have...

[01:00:11] And then we can assess...

[01:00:13] Of...

[01:00:13] Really...

[01:00:14] Truly assess...

[01:00:15] What we have...

[01:00:16] And then what we need...

[01:00:19] So...

[01:00:20] That is the update...

[01:00:21] That is the baseline buzz...

[01:00:23] We're going to get up out of here...

[01:00:25] I want to thank Soraya...

[01:00:26] For really just hooking us up...

[01:00:29] With all the stats today...

[01:00:30] She...

[01:00:30] She did incredible work...

[01:00:32] Thank you Soraya...

[01:00:33] For everything that you do...

[01:00:35] I want to thank the audience...

[01:00:37] I want to thank everybody...

[01:00:38] Who taps in with this...

[01:00:40] Monday, Wednesday, and Friday...

[01:00:42] Make sure you tell your friends...

[01:00:44] So if you're being a friend...

[01:00:45] And telling a friend...

[01:00:46] About the podcast...

[01:00:47] Say...

[01:00:48] It's not once a week...

[01:00:49] It's not twice a week...

[01:00:50] It's three times a week...

[01:00:52] You're getting a lot of NBA love...

[01:00:55] Three times a week...

[01:00:56] And remember to let them know...

[01:00:59] That we touch...

[01:01:00] Every...

[01:01:01] NBA team...

[01:01:02] We give you...

[01:01:03] All the news from those teams...

[01:01:05] What's going on with them right now...

[01:01:08] And hopefully give you a little insight...

[01:01:10] Into what's going to be happening...

[01:01:11] Over like the next couple weeks...

[01:01:13] So yeah...

[01:01:14] Keep it locked here...

[01:01:15] With Frontrunner Podcast Collective...

[01:01:18] And now with that being said...

[01:01:19] The best part of you...

[01:01:21] Is you...

[01:01:21] Make sure that you're surrounding yourself...

[01:01:24] With people...

[01:01:26] That are just going to accentuate...

[01:01:28] Your light...

[01:01:29] Do something good in this world...

[01:01:32] And we'll see you back on this feed...

[01:01:34] On Monday...

[01:01:35] Have a great weekend...

[01:01:37] Deuce...

[01:01:38] Get out of the car...

[01:01:38] ...

[01:01:38] Let's go...

[01:01:38] I'll get it out...