Why Sunday's Game Against The Pelicans Is a Must Win. Plus, Can The Lakers Keep Malik Monk?

Almost to a man, following Wednesday's loss to the Sixers, the Lakers called Sunday's game against the Pelicans a must win. Given how tight the standings are at the bottom of the Western Conference quasi-playoff race, it's easy to see why. LeBron James is expected to play, and very well may have sat against Philly to make sure he could take the floor on Sunday with fresh legs. It could be argued at this point, all of their games fall into the "must win" category if the Lakers want to have control of their own destiny, and not depend on the Pelicans or Spurs to do them favors. Meanwhile, to complete a conversation from Thursday's show, what else could LeBron put in an endorsement-based swag bag for Kevin Love's wedding? Malik Monk's path to LA was described in a great feature from ESPN's Dave McMenamin earlier this week. How likely is it the Lakers could keep him? What the painful choices that go into the calculus? Because The Monk Conundrum symbolizes many of the challenges facing the team as it tries to rebuild a more balanced roster for next season. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Is Sunday's game vs. New Orleans a must win? Are you confident the Lakers can win a game that means something? SEGMENT 2: The LeBron James Lazy Wedding Gift Bag, plus what kind of bag Monk might grab. SEGMENT 3: What Monk's situation says about the team's attempts to improve this offseason. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Check out PrizePicks.com and use promo code: “NBA” or go to your app store and download the app today. PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Athletic Greens Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NBANETWORK. TrueBill Don’t fall for subscription scams. Start cancelling today at Truebill.com/LOCKEDONNBA. NBA TopShot NBA Top Shot’s the officially licensed NFT of the NBA. Connect with a community of hundreds of thousands of NBA fans as a natural progression of fantasy sports, a way to upgrade your experience as an NBA fan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices