The Lakers Hire a New (and Luka Dončić Approved!) Strength and Conditioning Coach

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? 

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