August 13, 2025
The Lakers Hire a New (and Luka Dončić Approved!) Strength and Conditioning Coach
Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles LakersAbout this episode
The Lakers have had a tremendous amount of turnover in their strength/training/sports medicine departments over the last decade. And once again, they have a new man in charge. This time, though, it's a bigger deal than normal because 1) the hire—Jeremy Holsopple—is getting excellent reviews from smart people who know about this stuff around the league, and 2) because Holsopple was once a critical part of Luka's trusted circle in Dallas. By bringing him into the org, the Lakers are not only (hopefully) bringing expertise and stability, but also strengthening the bond with Luka. A wise move on multiple levels, and the type of thing the Lakers have historically done well. It was the dismissal of Holsopple that contributed to the souring of the relationship between Team Luka and the Mavs. Meanwhile, the Lakers have some folks at the end of the roster, not projected to be part of the rotation. Some of them, like Dalton Knecht, will watched carefully to see if they can break through and find regular minutes. Others... well, sometimes you have to remind folks they're still on the team. Namely Maxi Kleber, who didn't appear in a regular season game last season after arriving in the trade, making his debut in some bonkers minutes in Game 5 against the Wolves. There are many, many reasons to doubt Kleber's ability to contribute this yea for the Lakers, and there's a very good chance that his expiring deal (the only thing people talk about in relation to Kleber) is the most important thing about him in the 2025-26 season. But there's at least a possibility that Kleber can provide the Lakers backup center minutes when the matchups demand a player who is significantly different than Jaxson Hayes, the only other C on the roster after Deandre Ayton. It would certainly be a major boost were it to turn out that way. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a new strength and conditioning coach! SEGMENT 2: Improving on the margins? SEGMENT 3: Kleber as a contributor? Rui as a sumo? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnba for 50% off your first year Gametime Download 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. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. 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) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.