The Lakers are riding a five-game winning streak, with a very good chance to make it six tonight at home against the 3-10 Utah Jazz. So while the hot start—the Lakers wake up Tuesday morning as the 3rd seed in the West—has fans rightly excited, it's not all they're talking about. First-rounder Dalton Knecht has, after a shaky start, grown red hot as a shooter. This, of course, is what he was drafted to do, but adjusting to the NBA, even for the most talented rookies, is a challenge. For most players, it takes a little time. And it's too early to say that a weekend's worth of good games from Knecht, inserted into the starting lineup thanks to an injury to Rui Hachimura, has fully adjusted and "arrived," so to speak. But with Knecht shooting over 50% from three in his last four games, and his overall percentages improving, it's not too early to recognize the impact he's capable of having on the team. Would the Lakers be better off getting him into the starting lineup? Generally speaking, an argument can be made that the purpose of an NBA rotation is to get the best players on the floor as much as possible. Obviously, context plays a role, here. Teams might not have the roster balance to find "starters minutes" for every player if the talent is clustered around one position. "Best" might not mean the totality of a player's skill set, but one really, really big piece of it - say high volume 3-point shooting. Like Knecht. Or maybe it's a situation where strengths and weaknesses don't align properly, so one person needs to be split from the "best players" group. That's what's happened with D'Angelo Russell, who was sent to the bench in part because the Lakers were suffering too much defensively when he and Austin Reaves shared the court. Monday at practice, JJ Redick pushed back against the idea Russell is playing a different role on the team. His role is more being reallocated. Whether you buy that logic or not - I suspect Russell doesn't at least not fully - it's worked. The Lakers haven't lost since making the move, and Redick praised Russell's adjustment both to Redick's offense and the rotation change at length on Monday. However you want to define these things, roles could be changing in significant ways vs. what was expected going into camp. In other news, Hachimura is questionable for tonight's game, Reddish practiced (making him far more likely to play) and Pat Riley is getting a statue! HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: The Lakers might have some reinforcements back tonight. SEGMENT 2: Should Dalton Knecht be a starter? SEGMENT 3: What's a role, anyway? Redick tries to define it, and Russell tries to live it. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNBA and get $50 instantly when you play $5! You don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA ChimeMake your fall finances a little greener by working towards your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in 2 minutes at chime.com/NBA.Chime. Feels like progress.BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rediscover your curiosity with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. GametimeDownload 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.FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit 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)
