Podcast: Will the Lakers make a major mid-season trade next year?

Today’s mailbag edition of Locked on Lakers might have set the record for most questions sent in and answered, and we didn’t even forego quality to attain that quantity.

To start the show, I offer up the story of where I was when LeBron James committed to playing with the Lakers for at least the next three years. Long story short: I had to write all my LeBrontent behind a DJ booth at a Vegas-style pool party. Boy, was that an experience.

Next up, I answer a question about the Lakers’ bench. Namely: Who do I think will have a higher impact between Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. THE ANSWER MIGHT SHOCK YOU. Okay it might slightly surprise but still.

From there, the conversation turns to a now former-Laker, Julius Randle, and what might have gone on behind the scenes in the decisions leading up to his eventual departure via free agency. There’s blame to be had on both sides, and I discuss that at length in the show. One thing’s for sure, though: It’s a real bummer he isn’t on this team anymore.

One topic that I really can’t get a grip on this offseason is what the Lakers are capable of. Thanks to a listener’s question, I try to explain why the Lakers’ range between floor and ceiling is as drastic as it is and a lot of it is beyond their control. Welcome to the Western Conference, LeBron.

Other topics covered in the show include: Paul George’s Staples Center welcome, hesitance to fully analyze Brandon Ingram, the Lakers’ young core versus Boston’s, Randle’s ceiling versus D’Angelo Russell’s, Nick Van Exel, Mike D’Antoni, LeBron versus Kobe, the last five years and Twitter.

As always, this is just a tidbit of the full context given in the show. Listen to the full discussion below and please check out old episodes or guarantee you won’t miss any ever again by subscribing on iTunes.