Podcast: What impact does a Raptors title have on Lakers trade, free agency scenarios?

The Toronto Raptors did the previously unthinkable and dethroned the hobbled Golden State Warriors. They did so by gambling on Kawhi Leonard — well, as much as sending a turtle and DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio for Leonard can be seen as a gamble — and it paid off.

In the moment (and this hasn’t changed), it felt like last night’s outcome might shape the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers obviously have a ton riding on this offseason, so our podcasts today discuss the impact the Raptors’ huge win might have on how the summer plays out in Los Angeles.

Silver Screen & Roll Podcast

In this episode, Alex Regla and Jas Kang breakdown the Raptors’ championship and what it means for Kawhi Leonard’s pending free agency. Does bringing a title to Toronto make it less or more likely that he stays in Canada, or does this open the door for the Lakers? The Leonard rumors have been dormant, but with the season officially over, the spotlight will begin to shine on the quiet superstar.

And now that the on-court portion of the season is complete, the focus turns to player movement, and there’s no bigger available name on the trade market than Anthony Davis. With the Lakers believing they’re in the driver seat to get the deal done, why is David Griffin not pulling the trigger on the trade? Are the Pelicans stringing the Lakers along to try and get a better package out of Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics?

The Lakers’ biggest rivals apparently haven’t been deterred by Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, saying his client will likely leave in the summer of 2020. The guys discuss which of the teams’ packages are more appealing, and how much things have changed since the debacle at the trade deadline this past February.

Alex and Jas then get into how the Lakers and Pelinka have to find a way to bring AD west, and what it means for the organization if they don’t.

You can listen to their full conversation below and for more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.

Locked on Lakers

Pete and I started the show by just marveling at what we just watched. We’re both basketball fans, so just sitting back like a couple guys at a bar talking about the insanity that just unfolded was fun.

From there, we turned our attention to the impact the series might have just had across the NBA in free agency, starting with Kevin Durant and Leonard, then trying to figure out the ripple effect their decisions would make.

Finally, we finish by discussing the Davis trade situation. Where do things currently stand? What’s the deal with Kyle Kuzma in all this — Pete and I fight to the death over this topic — and how do people misunderstand leverage? All that and plenty more.

You can listen to the entire episode below, and make sure to subscribe on iTunes, where you can also leave questions in the form of a five-star review to guarantee your topic makes the show.