Rob Pelinka didn't take his foot off the gas. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, new superstar Luka Doncic made it clear the type of center he likes to play with. Active, athletic, and with the ability to get up to be a vertical threat. Ask and you shall receive, Mr. Doncic. Late Wednesday evening, the Lakers agreed to a deal with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire 23-year old 7-footer Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected first rounder in 2031 and a pick swap in 2030. This pick is reflective of the new world of options opened up to the franchise by acquiring Doncic. First, the Lakers have clearly made the calculation—with good reason—that they're capable of competing after the first big trade. Yes, the Lakers probably took a step back defensively, but wins against New York and the Clippers, both without Davis, showed the Lakers are capable of competing on that side of the floor. And while they did make a huge trade and sent out two key players... they acquired Luka Doncic in the process. And because they did, that pick swap and first rounder surrendered to get Williams, who is exactly the type of player Doncic asked for (offensively at least) becomes a lot less painful to send out. The Lakers, with Doncic in the fold, are far less likely to fall off a cliff in the post-LeBron era than they might have been a week ago. Given their histories, which team would you pick to have a better record in a few years time? LA or Charlotte? Obviously a lot can happen between now and then... but the value of those picks/swaps went down a ton the minute the Pelinka and Nico Harrison called it a deal. And in Williams, the Lakers acquired a center that wouldn't have worked nearly as effectively with Davis. Yes, he's a true C, but he's also not a floor spreader. Williams has taken one three pointer in his three-season career. (He missed.) They'd have had to pay a premium to get Williams, but would have had trouble keeping him and A.D. on the floor together enough to make that cost worth it. But with Luka and LeBron? Williams makes a lot more sense. This was already a transformative deadline for the Lakers. But now, the Lakers have their star of the present and future, and a center who fits the timeline. There's risk—Williams has been hurt for huge portions of all three seasons he's played, and has been a very mixed bag as a defender—but if he can shake off the injuries (none requiring surgery) Williams could be a mainstay for a decade. Wow. Wow, wow. wow. Lakers fans have every right to be excited. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte. SEGMENT 2: What are they getting in Williams? SEGMENT 3: What this says about the Lakers commitment to Doncic, after only days of him being on the team. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!PrizePicksDownload the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.RobinhoodWith Robinhood Gold, you can now enjoy the VIP treatment. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. To receive 3% boost on annual IRA contributions, sign up at robinhood.com/gold. GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelSuper Bowl 59 is here, And there’s no better way to make every play more exciting than with FanDuel Sportsbook. New customers can bet just FIVE DOLLARS, and if you win, you’ll score TWO HUNDRED BUCKS in Bonus Bets. Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of Super Bowl Fifty-Nine. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
