The Athletic NBA Daily – Episode Recap

Episode: Is this Lakers team championship ready? + Who is Uncle Dennis?
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour & Dan Woike

Overview

This episode delves into two main subjects: the enigmatic figure of Uncle Dennis Robertson (Kawhi Leonard’s longtime advisor and negotiator), and a comprehensive look at the Los Angeles Lakers’ readiness for a championship run in the 2025-26 NBA season. Dan Woike provides insights from his recent reporting, travel experiences, and behind-the-scenes impressions, while Dave DuFour steers the discussion through critical Lakers topics and broader league context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. International Basketball & Travel Anecdotes (00:07–02:43)

• Dan Woike shares experiences from his summer covering Eurobasket, emphasizing the intensity and passion of European basketball fans and the unique cultural challenges of international reporting.
• Light-hearted discussion on how fast food in Europe and Japan differs (“The best burgers I’ve ever had in my life, Dave, was at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics... The Samurai Mac... it was awesome.” – Dan, 02:11).

2. Who is Uncle Dennis? The Enigma Behind Kawhi Leonard (02:43–12:57)

Profile Deep Dive

• Dan collaborated with Sam Amick and Mike Vorkunov to profile Dennis Robertson (aka Uncle Dennis), who has been central in Kawhi’s negotiations.
• Uncle Dennis manages a business consultancy, "Protocol International Business," providing etiquette and professionalism training.
  • Notable Anecdote: He wrote the foreword to his wife’s book on business etiquette, including tips as quirky as “which fork to use at dinner.”
    • “Dennis Robertson... accused by everybody in the NBA of having no business etiquette, writing the foreword to a book about business etiquette.” (Dan, 04:15)
    • “Page 15 is a quote about etiquette, and the next page is about which fork you should use.” (Dan, 04:58)
• Uncle Dennis is known for asking teams for extraordinary benefits in negotiations, including ownership stakes and outside sponsorships.
• His mystery persists because:
  • He’s not a registered agent, only represents Kawhi, and keeps a low public profile.
  • “If he had 30 clients, you can’t negotiate like this. But when you have a singular client, who cares?” (Dan, 09:26)
• Kawhi’s personality makes media coverage tricky: he’s dry, reserved, not a talker, has a humor that doesn’t translate easily, and the circle around him controls information tightly.
• Team and player representatives told Dan that the “unique requests” aren’t as rare as public perception suggests, but Dennis’s dual role as both family and negotiator is unique.

3. Luka Doncic’s Transformation & the Lakers’ Offseason Moves (12:57–19:09)

• Discussion pivots from Uncle Dennis to new-look Lakers, centering on Luka Doncic’s physical transformation (“Skinny Luka”) following his move to Los Angeles.
• Dan notes significant improvement in Luka’s speed, quickness, and defensive activity during Eurobasket:
  • "He was way faster... There was just more burst. That was the biggest thing I saw from him in Europe." (Dan, 15:11)
• Luka’s improved fitness and focus have created optimism for the Lakers, especially building an offense around him, LeBron, and Austin Reaves.

4. Lakers Roster Analysis: New Faces, New Roles (19:09–27:23)

Key Additions & Depth Chart Questions

• Deandre Ayton: Acquired after a buyout, seen as an upgrade at center. Luka lobbied for him, and Ayton’s performance is considered a major potential swing factor.
  • “If [Ayton] is healthy and available... Luka wanted to play with him. Win, win, win. Hopefully you get the best version of that player.” (Dan, 19:19)
• Marcus Smart: Brings floor-raising defense and toughness, but aging and recent injuries raise questions about his long-term impact.
  • “He needs to be important… That’s a big question to me, is like, are they going to defend well enough? He’s a big part of that answer.” (Dan, 21:21)
• Rui Hachimura: Expected to start at forward due to his shooting and fit with Luka. The starting five likely includes Luka, LeBron, Reaves, Ayton, and Rui.
• Bench/Role Players: Gabe Vincent, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht (noted as a potential trade asset), and Jared Vanderbilt discussed for depth and trade possibilities.
• Redick’s coaching: Still establishing his approach, and some late season growing pains last year.

5. Breakout Candidates, Trade Chips, and Internal Development (24:21–30:43)

• Austin Reaves: Could make another leap as a trusted “bridge guy” bridging young and veteran players, with stats perhaps already at a high level but with a chance to become even more central.
  • “[Reaves’s] role has changed basically every year... This is the most established situation he’ll have been in. Will there be a leap?” (Dan, 24:21)
• Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht: Intriguing secondary pieces, with Knecht noted as the “best thing they have to trade that they’re probably willing to trade.” (Dan, 27:24)
• Potential Targets: Andrew Wiggins seen as an ideal fit; other two-way athletic wings (e.g., Derrick Jones Jr., Herb Jones) mentioned as dream acquisitions, though asset constraints limit possibilities.
• Bronny James: Showed growth at summer league; Lakers value his defensive upside, but with strong guard depth, he’ll likely see G League/pinch duty unless he proves otherwise.
  • “Big preseason for him... can you get into dudes, full court? Can you disrupt... If you can do that, there might be an opportunity for him.” (Dan, 33:30)

6. LeBron’s Role Evolution & Impact (34:50–39:36)

• LeBron expected to shift to a more secondary/off-ball role offensively as Luka takes the reins, allowing him to conserve energy for defense and playmaking:
  • “He could have an all-time high impact, 22/9/9 type of season... relatively light work offense, then flying around... defensively.” (Dan, 36:06)
• LeBron’s rim protection and defensive value highlighted as keys, especially paired with Ayton’s potential at the five.

7. Defensive X-Factors and Fit Questions (38:34–42:47)

• Jared Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia: Both viewed as versatile but flawed role players. Vanderbilt’s limited offense makes him expendable, while LaRavia’s shooting fits better.
  • “If those guys were one player, they'd be awesome.” (Dave, 38:46)
  • “Very hard to trade because of the years left on his deal… healthy summer… good rebounder… but playoff fit is tough.” (Dan, 39:36)
• Team rebounding and regular season defense should be strengths given lineup length and effort, but playoff defensive schemes remain a concern.

8. Championship Outlook & West Hierarchy (43:19–47:32)

• The Lakers are clearly in the “can win it all” conversation, but with more roster questions than tier 1 contenders like OKC and Denver.
  • “If it’s a two-floor building: can you win, or not win? The Lakers are on the ‘can win’ floor. But if you expand that to seven floors, they’re not at the top.” (Dan, 43:27)
• West rivals, potential adversity (e.g., injuries), and the high impact of Deandre Ayton’s performance are all major storylines.
  • “If [Ayton] is one of the 15 best starting centers in the NBA next year, that’s a pretty talented top part of your roster.” (Dan, 46:58)
• Other intriguing teams: Houston’s situation after VanVleet’s injury, the Spurs' looming rise with Wemby.

Memorable Quotes

• On Uncle Dennis’ Negotiation Style:
  “If he had 30 clients, you can’t negotiate like this because you’re going to need favors down the line... When you have a singular client, who cares?” (Dan, 09:26)
• On LeBron’s Defensive Influence:
  “He was the one. Like, Anthony Davis missed a bunch of those games with injury... It was LeBron barking out calls, flying around, flying out to closeouts, harassing people on switches.” (Dan, 36:10)
• On the Lakers’ Tier:
  “If it’s a two-floor building: can you win, or not win? The Lakers are on the ‘can win’ floor… But if you expand that to seven floors, they’re not at the top.” (Dan, 43:27)
• On Deandre Ayton’s Importance:
  “If he is an above average starting NBA center… that’s a pretty talented top part of your roster.” (Dan, 46:58)
• On the Lakers’ Championship Odds:
  “When you enter the season, you just want to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and not lie to yourself… If you have Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves… you have a chance in any series.” (Dan, 44:00)

Key Timestamps

• 00:07–02:43: Eurobasket stories, cultural shocks, and foodie takes.
• 02:43–12:57: The Uncle Dennis deep dive—role, reputation, and relationship with Kawhi.
• 12:57–19:09: Lakers’ offseason, Luka Doncic’s metamorphosis.
• 19:09–27:23: Roster additions—Ayton, Smart, Hachimura, and depth questions.
• 24:21–30:43: Breakout players, trade assets, and Bronny James’s place.
• 34:50–39:36: LeBron’s changing game and defensive potential.
• 38:34–42:47: Perimeter defense, Jared Vanderbilt’s future, rebounding.
• 43:19–47:32: Realistic title shot, Ayton as the Lakers’ swing piece, Western Conference hierarchy.

Tone & Style

Casual, conversational, with deep basketball analysis and occasional humor. The hosts blend reporting detail with lively banter—insightful for diehards but approachable for casual fans.

Summary

This episode provides essential context on the Lakers’ outlook for 2025-26, explores the mythos of Uncle Dennis, and lays out the major variables that will determine if LA is truly championship-ready. While the Lakers have the talent to compete with the elite, questions about depth, defense, and Ayton’s consistency remain. Ultimately, their potential rests heavily on how their new pieces, particularly Luka and Ayton, mesh with LeBron and how the role players evolve.

Bottom Line: The Lakers are in the mix and “on the right floor,” but whether they ascend to true contender status will hinge on development, health, and a few key individuals—especially Deandre Ayton.