Laker Film Room - Dedicated to the Study of Lakers Basketball

One pathway to being a contender is to maximize the value of your contracts and to have as many of your players outperform their salary as possible. How many players do the Lakers have who fit this description? Is this the most players they might have in the next few years? Pete and Darius examine these questions and discuss who they think can play to or beyond their contract levels and how this can set them up to win this upcoming season. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luka Dončić has signed a three-year contract extension with the Lakers, keeping him on the team for at least the next several seasons, and giving the team the inside track to keep him for much longer than that. Pete and Darius discuss the news, their excitement around having this commitment from Dončić, what it means for the team in the short and long term both on and off the court, and much more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As off-court questions and speculation swirls about LeBron James' future, he prepares for an unprecedented 23rd NBA season while remaining one of the best players in the league. Pete and Darius shift their focus away from any potential drama off the court to his play on it to discuss why this season could be unique for James as his role playing next to Luka Dončić evolves, how James' own ability to be a shapeshifter and do everything on the court will matter more this season, how they envision him playing offensively, and what his defensive ask can and should be next year for the Lakers. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After trading for Luka Dončić, the Lakers were just a middle-of-the pack offense in the regular season and also struggled on that end in the playoffs. Pete and Darius discuss ways the team can improve offensively this upcoming season, looking at ways they can better beat switching defenses and how they can better position their role players to be effective. Then later the guys brainstorm ideas for schematic tweaks JJ Redick can employ and what those might look like offensively. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a more balanced roster and a year under his belt, what should the Lakers expect from JJ Redick? Pete and Darius discuss Redick heading into his 2nd season, why they believe this is a year they will learn much more about what he values schematically, and how some of the decisions he makes on the team's schemes will impact the rotation. Then later they speculate on what some of those lineup decisions could be -- particularly when DeAndre Ayton is off the floor. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Luka Dončić looking leaner and more fit than he has since his first few seasons in the NBA, Pete and Darius speculate how this might translate to his effectiveness on the court, including his ability as a driver and finisher in the paint, in beating switches, and how it could impact his defense. And then later, the guys discuss the rumors that Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic could be bought out, whether he could be an option for the Lakers if he became a free agent and what they would need to do to be able to sign him. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Based on last season’s results and what they have done collectively this offseason, the Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets, and Timberwolves look like the four best teams in the Western Conference heading into this season. Pete and Darius discuss the strengths of each team and why they believe each should be considered one of the conference’s best, and then debate how the Lakers stack up and what avenues exist for them to break into that group. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do position names like point guard, center, or small forward still apply to the modern NBA? If not, what would be more appropriate? Are the jobs of these players still the same or have they evolved as the game has changed too? Pete and Darius answer these questions and break down how they view positions, roles, and skill sets in the modern NBA, how they've changed, how they haven't, and much more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After signing Marcus Smart is the Lakers roster set heading into the season or is there another trade coming? How would you feel if the current group is the one that begins the year? What would a potential rotation be with this group and what could be some of the positional battles? Pete and Darius dive into these questions and much more in this episode of the LFR podcast. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers announced they have waived Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin, facilitating the salary savings they will need to sign Marcus Smart. With the Milton waiving a formality, Pete and Darius discuss the decision to also waive Goodwin and why they'll miss him. And then later, the guys dive into the team's depth at the point of attack defensive role now that Goodwin is gone, how Jarred Vanderbilt fits into the puzzle as a key player to fill this need, why the defensive coverages the team plays are such a big part of this discussion, and much more. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers will reportedly sign Marcus Smart after he was bought out by the Wizards on Saturday. Pete and Darius discuss the move, expressing their excitement about getting Smart as a free agent after discussing him as a trade target when free agency opened, how Smart fits on the team and what it opens up for the Lakers defensively, whether they'd start him and much more. And then later, the guys discuss if the Lakers have another move in them and, if so, what position and player type they should be targeting. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With rumors swirling around whether LeBron will be on the Lakers next year and hints that his best chance to win another title might be on another team, Pete and Darius discuss the value of playing next to a motivated Luka Dončić on the Lakers next season and debate the merits to be optimistic about their championship chances, how far away they actually are, and why LeBron finding his way to a new team isn't actually very easy to accomplish. Support Pete here : Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bronny James, Jr. had his best game of the Summer League vs the Clippers, impacting the game on both ends of the floor. The guys discuss how his athleticism is shining through as he gets more comfortable as an on-ball player, Dalton’s struggles, Koloko’s dominant defensive showing, and more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a continuation of their wide-reaching discussion on NBA media, Pete and Darius discuss how growing up in the era NBA fandom they did shaped their views of the league, how to discern between rumor and reporting, the nature of how the league is covered by its media partners in 2025, the differences between local and national coverage of the Lakers, what to make of the latest LeBron news cycle, and much more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are the Lakers really gonna wait two years for Giannis’ free agency? Do they need another big, considering how many two-big looks there are around the Western Conference? How can fans better figure out which rumors are true and which aren’t? The guys answer your questions about the trade market, team-building, and more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers closed out the California Classic portion of summer league with a comeback win over the Spurs that featured Dalton Knecht's best game so far and Darius Bazley's continued strong play. Pete and Darius break down what they saw from both players and the team overall, and how they view both players for the rest of the summer and beyond. And then later the guys discuss the joint media availability of DeAndre Ayton and Jake LaRavia who made their first comments as Lakers after being signed in free agency. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who are the defensive trade targets the Lakers should look hardest at? Is it possible to make a deal without including Rui? Are there any remaining options in free agency? Pete and Darius answer these questions and more when they dive into how the Lakers can upgrade their defensive talent overall, especially in the backcourt, while still accomplishing the team's goals of keeping their salary cap sheet relatively clean. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lakers have 14 player under guaranteed contract, leaving one spot open. The guys discuss how the team may be eyeing the buyout market to see what happens with Smart, Beal, and others, how self-imposed restrictions limit their trade market, and more. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the heels of signing DeAndre Ayton as their starting center, the Lakers have come to terms with Jaxson Hayes to return to the team as a backup big in their rotation. Pete and Darius discuss Hayes' return, what his role might be, and whether there were other options they would have preferred instead. And then later, the guys discuss the still missing wing defender the Lakers need and they go over three potential solutions and how they also coincide with the "2027" free agency plan that the Lakers have been linked to. Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom Pete’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakerFilmRoom Pete’s Playback: https://www.playback.tv/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices