Could the Cavaliers Firing J.B. Bickerstaff Prevent the Lakers from Getting Donovan Mitchell?

There hasn't been a ton of news out of El Segundo as the Lakers slow play their coaching search and nobody can really do much about next season from a personnel standpoint, because the playoffs are still happening.
But on Thursday, the calm was shaken just a little bit. BJ Bickerstaff was let go by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now in theory, that could put him in play for LA's job, if only because there aren't many candidates with NBA head coaching experience. But probably not. What it could do, though, is force the Lakers to speed things up a little because the Cavs, unlike the Washington Wizards (the other open gig) constitutes a real job with appealing players and a smart front office. That means it's possible candidates the Lakers like (Adelman? Redick? Cassell? Etc...) could be wooed by Cleveland, and if the Lakers want 'em they'll have to move.
So at the least, this could tip their hand a little, because if you see the Lakers suddenly spring into action because _______ is getting down the road with the Cavs, that obviously means they're interested. The flip side holds true as well. Cleveland is reportedly interested in Kenny Atkinson, who at least initially was on LA's list. If he is pursued by the Cavs and not a peep comes from El Segundo? Well, there you go.
Meanwhile, LeBron James was named to the All NBA 3rd team this week. It's the 20th consecutive season he's managed to make one of the teams. 20. In a row. To put that in perspective, only 10 players have even played 20 seasons. He's now five All-NBA seasons ahead of the next closest guy behind him.
Finally... is this the year Chris Paul becomes a Laker, for real?
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Bickerstaff, OUT!
SEGMENT 2: If no MItchell... who?
SEGMENT 3: LeBron's long term excellence, plus CP3?
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Yahoo Finance
For comprehensive financial news and analysis, visit the brand behind every great investor, YahooFinance.com.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply.
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.
FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARANTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS - with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
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)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com...
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
Subscribe to the Locked On Lakers Podcast
📲 linktr.ee/Lock...
📲 Follow the Kamenetzkys: / kambrothers
#Lakers #LosAngelesLakers #LebronJames #AnthonyDavis #NBA

[@gam1108]

Jeanie buss is the problem with the lakers to meny friends & family members involved an she doesn't like push back an this why its a friends an family ran team

[@MeMe-jq3ky]

Rob Pelinka pulls all the triggers. And Jeanie just sits on her knees.

[@stevewise1656]

The Westbrook trade and letting Caruso walk for nothing was the nail in the coffin for this franchise. They cannot put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

[@peligrosouljauprecords9411]

I love you guys. Just always working, like me. Thank you so much......

[@JB-sc1tg]

Spida was never a realistic option. There are too many teams that can outbid us.

[@SandcastleGirl]

Exactly! It's delusional to think fans really thought that could happen, smh 🤦

[@mrc302]

Agree 100.

[@Oberonz1]

I learned greatly from the nuance you used on several topics. And no I am not being facetious, you guys were great, the Chris Paul stuff was way more than I expected. He is bigger than the role might be and then what do you do if minutes get tight???? But him next to JHS for a season my God that could make a major difference just ask Podziemski!!! Again great stuff.

[@LockedOnLakers]

Thanks so much, man. I know you're a regular viewer, so very much appreciated. AK

[@ccampbell8849]

Davis has been saying he doesn't want to play center. The one year he didn't play Center he won.

[@LockedOnLakers]

Davis played plenty of center during the 2020 season and close to 100 percent of his closing minutes there. He just didn't start at center. But that was also a season where his jumper, and in particular his three-point shot, was uncharacteristically sharp. And just as (if not more) importantly, LeBron was still a viable option defensively at small forward, which is clearly no longer the case other than for critical or closing possessions. Honestly, people need to let go of the "2020 formula." It was four seasons ago. Things change. AD is a center, whether it's his preference or not. The Lakers are better with him at center, whether it's his preference or not. And a roster with LeBron playing 30-35 minutes no longer allows for AD to play power forward on a regular basis. It is what it is. Appreciate you watching. AK

[@adalbertportento8303]

LA LAKERS! WILL STRIKE BACK NEXT SEASON!!!+ DONNAVAN JJ REDICK + RONDO + PHIL HANDY + MICAH NORI!😮😮😮

[@ArnoldArenas]

Margic traded away Zubac who could have helped against Jokic. He also pushed for the drafting of Wagner who is the only draft miss with the exception of JHS. So Magic is not blameless as well. Pelinka included Hart on his trade for AD. Hart could have been helping till now. Pelinka also let Caruso go. He should have kept Alex and traded him for another asset. Lakers would be better if they replaced Rob with Eric Pincus who's a master in the cap and incredibly creative in his trade proposals. He also predicted a lot of trades that happened later on.

[@GraceBraun-b7x]

LeBron is responsible for another coach getting fired. It's his home town so he has a lot of influence there

[@robs4491]

No to Donovan. We need Utah's package of Lauri, Sexton and Clarkson. Then sign capable two way players around them.

[@overqualified420]

Is Lauri worth a max? Bc he will want that next year...

[@stevewise1656]

Definitely no to Mitchell. I only see his injury history eroding his career from here. They need taller, longer, more athletic players in the front court like Murray.

[@antoine6760]

The only capable 2 way players the Lakers can obtain are going to be through trade especially for the little money that they have, unless you gamble on defensive/offensive upside

[@24oskii54]

Just because ESPN analyst said this doesn't make it true. It could be that he actually was considering staying because of the coach and how far he got them. What if Mitchell or Garland wants to go where the coach goes? #DonovanMitchellLAL

[@LockedOnLakers]

Respectfully, unless the Cavs just shockingly misread the situation, what you're describing is very far-fetched. Like I said in the show, firing Bickerstaff doesn't guarantee Mitchell stays. But the idea that Mitchell, who the Cavs strongly want to keep, likes Bickerstaff enough to potentially force his way to the team that hires him and the Cavs fired him anyway defies all logic. It's just not how things work. AK

[@craigosterberg5045]

History tells us Polinka and and front office plus Jennie will choose not wisely.

[@tyjohnson3111]

25:12 AK & BK With all due respect to Kareem, the 3rd Team All-NBA🏅 didn’t exist until he was a 40 year old (I believe 88’ or 89’). Let’s not act like Kareem wouldn’t have 17/18 All-NBA🏅 nods and 16-17 All-NBA🏅 nods consecutively. Love the work OGs

[@LockedOnLakers]

Good point. Hadn't thought about it that way, and I don't know without really digging whether he'd have been a third-team lock, but certainly bears mentioning. Thanks! AK

[@tyjohnson3111]

@@LockedOnLakers 💯 My point in this comment is to say that Kareem 75’ & Kareem 82’ I can argue he was an All-NBA🏅 caliber player.

[@ScottSemple-vr2qo]

Nobody seems to be talking about Gabe and Vanderbilt. Assuming they are healthy now, could they take a more prominent role and change who you go after in free agency?

[@MeMe-jq3ky]

Are we going to hear about how Mitchel needs to take accountability for getting Bickerstaff fored? 😅😅 mike Wilbon

[@JosiahC-w7g]

Bro this what it is nobody want bron to win no more rings, and nobody want to really do a deal with pelinka and our role players are not that good and most teams in the league don’t value them , lebron and lakers vs the world

[@hilriekemp]

None of these big market guys are realistic

[@terryparis1827]

Bronny James should play college football 🏈, hopefully Colorado, and basketball 🏀 to get out his DADs shadow 🤔💯🏈🏀👍🏾❤️🇨🇦

[@glennedgar5057]

Micheal and A D is the same as Micheal and Gommee. Michear is a trouble maker

[@LakersfanG6PDcst]

Go higher up the 🪜 with blame

[@deddiev1718]

Lebron didn’t get 20 straight year the fanboy Lemedia voted for him and they are paid off or biased or an arse

[@LakersfanG6PDcst]

Stop living in the past it’s been two years😂Westbrook is over we still had to deal with ham and expiring contracts players got paid more elsewhere we couldn’t afford.💜💛💪🏾!

[@schmitkeoriginals]

LeLakers coach LBJJ Reddick have listed their offseason targets: Trae, Klay, Lauri. Mind the game pod costars clearly want SHOOTING. I'd go for Markenan since AD also needs help on the glass, if they can swing adding in Sexton that'd be ideal. Lakers 2 biggest issues were rebounding & point of attack D. I'd give up 3 firsts, AR/Rui/JHS for Markenan/Sexton. (I'd even waive protections on the former LA pick that Utah owns to make this years 1st just a swap, 17 for 31, draft Bronny with that) Go all in, LeBron doesnt have years to waste... ROB! 🙀🙀🙀

[@schmitkeoriginals]

Either sign and trade D Lo or let him walk and use the 13mil or w.e. mid lvl exception it ends up being to get a 2 WAY player... 38% career fg percentage in playoffs is a bad look when "defense isn't what you do"

[@robs4491]

Agreed totally. Lauri is a difference maker since he is also big and can match up well with DEN and MIN. We need to get Clarkson as part of that deal as our 6th man.

[@overqualified420]

Klay Thompson? Lmao

[@schmitkeoriginals]

@@overqualified420 I'm saying who THEY brought up... my preference is Lauri Markenan

[@luislaureano228]

CP3 is extra-crispy cooked.... hard pass

[@jiannl2787]

Derozan, KCP, CP3 for the bench and Jonas.

[@socalgolf9978]

Lakers have no money or assets, Gonna be another year of 1 yr pickups

[@timraschke2915]

Good show I find the timing of firing JB out of Cleveland interesting.

[@brandonw1743]

I miss the old jazz intro 😢

[@LockedOnLakers]

Not gonna lie. We do, too. But the music change was a network rights thing. We chose what we thought was best among our options. AK