The Return of Anthony Davis Is a Reminder of the Lakers' Incredible Good Fortune

Happy Thanksgiving! And if you need something to be thankful for, how about the incredible turn of good fortune that the Lakers have seen over the last year, thanks to the largesse of former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who (and it still defies explanation) gifted Luka Doncic to purple and gold. That trade yanked the Lakers out of a purgatory where they were not going to be bad thanks to the LeBron James/Anthony Davis/Austin Reaves core, but they certainly weren't going to win a title, had no clear runway to a title, and had nothing but awful financial decisions to make around Davis particularly going forward. Plus, they were scared to tear it all down. It was not going to be a fun few years... but now the Lakers have Luka and a remarkably clear future. Thanks again, Nico. May you get a statue at Crypto, and honorary murals around town. Finally, do the Lakers have a first quarter problem? (Spoiler alert... yes.) Is solving it as simple as swapping Marcus Smart for Rui Hachimura in the starting lineup, or would it be better if the pattern wasn't so dependent on Luka going nuclear? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: AD returns (probably) in uniform. SEGMENT 2: What Davis symbolizes. SEGMENT 3: The first quarter problem. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DoorDash Next time someone goes off for 50, use promo code NBA50 the next day to get 50% off on DoorDash with DashPass — plus your shot at the Bag Drop. DashPass members only. 50% off up to $10 the day after a 50-point game with promo code. Terms apply. No Purchase Necessary. Ends April 13th. Open to U.S. residents 21 or older. Visit https://DoorDashInYourBag.com for full details. DoorDash — In your bag all season long. DripDrop Stock up now before the heat hits hard — and keep your body and mind performing at their best with DripDrop. Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order . Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNBA. Wayfair Don’t miss out on early Black Friday deals. Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair’s Black Friday sale for up to 70% off. Gusto Gusto is the all-in-one, remote-friendly payroll and HR platform. Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/lockedonNBA and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Robinhood You expect more from yourself. Expect more from your money. Get started today at robinhood.com/yourmoney . Your money. Your move. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Options, futures, and crypto trading carry significant risk and may not suit all investors. Securities offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member SIPC. Futures trading is offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC and not SPIC or FDIC protected. Crypto offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840), not FDIC or SIPC protected. Portfolio management offered by Robinhood Strategies, an SEC-registered advisor. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting https://FanDuel.com 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) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.