Buha's Block with Jovan Buha

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Ep. 39: What's Next For The Lakers' Offseason? Klay To LA? Trades Incoming? Jun 30, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to LeBron James opting out of his contract and what's next for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.
Jovan covers why LeBron opted out, why it helps LA, the possibility of him taking a pay cut, the current roster and financial situation, what I'm hearing about Klay Thompson, how Klay would fit in LA, Max Christie, why the Lakers have no excuses not to upgrade this roster, what an ideal Lakers offseason looks like, and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:24 Why LeBron opted out and how a pay cut could work
6:10 How the Lakers can keep Max Christie
9:36 What Cam Reddish opting in means
10:34 Where things stand currently
11:19 Why LA likely needs to make a consolidation trade
12:30 How Klay Thompson would fit with the Lakers
21:35 LA has no excuse to not upgrade this roster
24:41 What an ideal Lakers offseason now looks like
27:32 Outro

D'Angelo Russell Opts In: Will The Lakers Trade Him Soon? Jun 29, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell opting into his $18.7 million player option for next season. He also covers Jaxson Hayes opting into his $2.5 million player option for next season.
Jovan analyzes Russell's future in Los Angeles, his report for The Athletic that the Lakers are "expected to be aggressive in pursuing Russell-centric trades," the rest of the West making aggressive win-now moves, why the Lakers now have a chance to do the same, what Jaxson Hayes opting in means, and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 What DLo opting in means for his future in LA
4:01 The rest of the West is being aggressive
4:51 LA has the flexibility now to make a trade
6:56 What Jaxson Hayes opting in means for LA
8:08 Outro

Ep. 38: Lakers Draft Bronny James To Make History & Four More Takeaways Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

I react to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting USC guard Bronny James — son of Lakers star LeBron James — with the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jovan covers the complexities with the Lakers selecting Bronny, his opinion on the backlash, why this is a historic moment, Bronny’s athleticism and defense, why his shot will likely determine his NBA future, the ongoing development plan for Bronny, LA’s potential roster crunch, my thoughts on their two new two-way players and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:18 My thoughts on the Bronny-Lakers complexities and backlash
9:17 Takeaway No. 1: This is a historic moment
11:56 Takeaway No. 2: Bronny has legitimate NBA attributes
18:12 Takeaway No. 3: His shot will likely determine his future
20:46 Takeaway No. 4: LA is still designing his development plan
24:13 Takeaway No. 5: The Lakers are facing a potential roster crunch
30:55 Bonus takeaway: Thoughts on the two-way signings
33:15 Outro

Ep. 37: Lakers Steal Dalton Knecht In NBA Draft & Four More Takeaways Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to the Los Angeles Lakers drafting Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht with the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Jovan covers how Knecht could be the steal of the draft, why the Lakers were surprised he fell to them, how they might use him offensively, why JJ Redick is the ideal mentor for him, the potential concerns with Knecht, how LeBron James and Anthony Davis could feel about the Lakers' draft-day inactivity and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:35 Takeaway No. 1: Knecht could be the steal of the draft
4:29 Takeaway No. 2: Knecht is a legit shooting weapon
7:03 Takeaway No. 3: Knecht is a three-level threat
9:24 Takeaway No. 4: JJ Redick is the ideal mentor
11:57 Takeaway No. 5: The potential concerns with drafting Knecht
20:20 Takeaway No. 6: What happens next?
24:27 Outro

Ep. 36: Why LeBron & AD Want The Lakers To Go All-In With Sam Amick Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Amick of The Athletic — the first two-time guest of the show! — to discuss Sam's reporting on Tuesday about LeBron James and Anthony Davis wanting the Los Angeles Lakers to upgrade the roster with elite talent.
Jovan and Sam discuss Sam's story, LeBron’s longstanding desire for a third star, AD wielding his power more recently, players that qualify as upgrades in LeBron and AD's eyes, Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ read on their roster, the potential outcomes if the Lakers stand pat, and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:04 LeBron’s motivations entering the offseason
7:27 Is it a third-star-or-bust proposition for LeBron and AD?
11:01 LA’s public messaging about player development
13:40 What is AD’s role in all of this?
18:42 How do the Lakers read this situation?
24:52 Outro
#losangeleslakers #lakers

Ep. 35: JJ Redick Won His Lakers Press Conference & Four More Takeaways Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts to JJ Redick’s introductory news conference as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jovan covers how Redick won his first press conference, what we learned about his coaching philosophies, why the Lakers are prioritizing player development, how Rob Pelinka tempered trade expectations for this week, the clarification we received on the coaching search and hiring process, LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ involvement, and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:01 Takeaway No. 1: JJ won the press conference
6:04 Takeaway No. 2: Redick’s coaching philosophy crystallizes
11:42 Takeaway No. 3: The importance of player development
17:20 Takeaway No. 4: Tempered trade expectations
26:19 Takeaway No. 5: Clarification on the coaching search
31:52 Outro

Ep. 34: Lakers’ 2024 NBA Draft Questions With Mike Garcia Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha welcomes Mike Garcia to break down the Los Angeles Lakers and the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jovan and Mike discuss the types of players the Lakers will be looking at with the No. 17 pick, why Mike is so high on DaRon Holmes II, if it’s worth trading up for Devin Carter or Ron Holland, other players that could drop to LA at No. 17 or No. 55, Bronny James Jr.’s potential, Zach Edey’s fit, Jalen Hood-Schifino’s role and G League play, Maxwell Lewis, Max Christie’s development and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:55 What types of players are the looking for at No. 17?
3:19 Why Mike loves DaRon Holmes II
6:34 Other players that could drop to the Lakers
8:07 Is it worth it for LA to trade up in this draft?
11:25 Is it worth keeping the pick given LA’s title ambitions?
15:32 Best player available even if it’s a PG?
20:51 Bronny James Jr. as a prospect
23:11 Is it worth potentially trading up for Bronny?
25:15 Second-round sleepers?
28:12 How would Zach Edey fit in LA?
31:57 How would Edey fit next to AD?
33:38 JHS’s rookie season and Year 2
37:17 JHS in G League vs. the NBA
38:08 Maxwell Lewis’ rookie season and Year 2
39:17 Can Lewis scale up to defend bigger wings?
40:59 Max Christie’s potential
47:54 Outro

Ep. 33: Lakers Hire JJ Redick & What We Know About Him As A Coach Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha reacts and reports on the news that the Los Angeles Lakers have hired JJ Redick as their next head coach.
Jovan covers Redick’s contract, how we got here, potential assistant coaching candidates for Redick’s staff, what we know about Redick as a coach from his interview process, the risk of the hiring, the potential upside, and more.
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:55 How we got here
6:10 Potential assistant coaching candidates
8:29 What we know about JJ as a coach
11:59 The obvious risk and potential upside with this hire
17:21 Outro

Ep. 32: Lakers Mailbag: LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell, Max Christie's Value Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha answers your Los Angeles Lakers questions in the latest Buha's Block mailbag.

Jovan covers why the Lakers aren’t going to trade LeBron James, the potential scenarios in which D’Angelo Russell remains a Laker, what the Arenas provision means for Max Christie’s free agency, if Christie can develop into a 3-and-D rotation wing, DeMar DeRozan’s fit in LA, Jalen Hood-Schifino’s trade value, and more.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:22 Question No. 1: Any scenarios in which DLo stays a Laker?
7:18 Question No. 2: Do we need to use the MLE on Christie? Arenas provision?
12:16 Question No. 3: Can Max be the elusive 3-and-D wing?
16:06 Question No. 4: Trae Young and Deandre Hunter?
19:50 Question No. 5: Revisit Dejounte Murray trade talks?
21:57 Question No. 6: What is JHS’s trade value?
23:55 Question No. 7: Does LA have a chance to sign DeMar DeRozan?
26:16 Question No. 8: LeBron-Booker swap?
28:24 Question No. 9: JHS and Maxwell Lewis contribute next season?
31:29 Outro

Ep. 31: Lakers’ 2024 NBA Draft Preview With Sam Vecenie Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Jovan Buha welcomes Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and Game Theory Podcast to preview the Los Angeles Lakers' plans for the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jovan and Sam discuss the passing of Jerry West, the Lakers’ plans at No. 17, the prospects Sam likes in that range, if LA will draft the best player available or for need/position, Zach Edey, Bronny James, LA potentially acquiring another second-round pick, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis entering Year 2, Max Christie’s free-agency market, Dan Hurley and more.

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing, rating and reviewing.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:39 Rest in peace Jerry West
6:30 Lakers’ No. 17 pick in Sam’s latest mock
9:10 Will draft BPA or best fit/position?
15:17 Which other players make sense at No. 17?
19:05 Odds the Lakers trade the No. 17 pick?
23:23 Bronny James at No. 55?
27:56 What is Bronny’s ceiling in the draft?
29:50 Any buzz about LA acquiring another second-round pick?
33:46 Jalen Hood-Schifino entering Year 2
38:03 Maxwell Lewis entering Year 2
41:12 Max Christie’s restricted free agency and his market
51:36 Sam’s take on LA’s Dan Hurley pursuit
59:26 Check out Sam’s NBA Draft guide!
1:01:16 Outro

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