Evaluating the Lakers' Free Agency Moves... plus a Scouting Report for Jaxson Hayes

NBA free agency isn't over, but it's mostly over for the Lakers. Save a 14th spot likely to go to a center, and a 15th spot likely to stay open until the Lakers decide it needs to be filled later in the year, the Lakers basically filled out the roster in the first two days of free agency. To review: Brought back Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell on contracts that are all ranging from very reasonable to excellent values. Signed Miami G Gabe Vincent (to replace Dennis Schröder), veteran F Taurean Prince, C Jaxson Hayes, and F Cam Reddish, who has been linked to the Lakers for so long this felt like an inevitability. All of this done going the route of using the big exception and allowing themselves to be hard capped at the first apron (about $172 million). for what it's worth, even after they bring in their 14th guy, the Lakers will still have some wiggle room beneath that ceiling, which could definitely come in handy down the road. They brought back the core players that would really constitute continuity, something Rob Pelinka said the team valued. They added some upside, and balance to the roster (letting Prince fill some of the shooting lost with Lonnie Walker and Malik Beasley, but from a position of greater need, and also providing versatility that protects some of Jared Vanderbilt's shortcomings). Any big criticisms? Did the Lakers sign the right guys, now that the dust has settled? Anyone they should have targeted instead? (Like Bruce Brown last seasons?) Finally, Jake Madison, host of Locked On Pelicans, stops by to give a deep scouting report on Hayes. What went wrong in New Orleans that could be corrected with a change of scenery in Los Angeles? Can the Lakers get out of him what the Pelicans couldn't? Especially since he's just a cog here, albeit an important one, as the only backup C on the roster (currently)? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Free agency is over for the Lakers (more or less). So how did they do? SEGMENT 2: Did the Lakers miss out on better opportunities? SEGMENT 3: Scouting Jaxson Hayes with Jake Madison of Locked On Pelicans. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA for 10% off your first month and get on your way to being your best self.  PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices