Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka addressed the logic behind the trades that saved the team’s plummeting season.
Speaking ahead of Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, “We tried to be methodical, patient, and it’s come a full circle,” Pelinka said, via Spectrum SportsNet. “
“We saw areas we wanted to address at the trade deadline. We wanted to add defense, wing size, shooting, and playmaking. Through a series of trades, we were kind of able to pull those things in.”
Rob Pelinka joins @RealAClifton & @Mike_Bresnahan to discuss the #Lakers matchup with the #Warriors, the trade deadline acquisitions and more. pic.twitter.com/vsEgmwCmz0
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 3, 2023
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Lakers traded for Rui Hachimura by sending Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to the Washington Wizards. Soon after, they were involved in a three-team trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz, and in return saw them land D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt to bolster their offense and defense.
The move yielded impressive results as the Lakers now had the right pieces to help them stake a playoff berth, which they did. And now, they have the necessary firepower to even go the distance as the team appears to have gelled seamlessly.
Will The Lakers Retain The Services Of Their Latest Acquisitions For The Next Season?
In what comes as good news, the Lakers accepted the team option on Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract. He will be on a bargain of $4.6 million but will be extension eligible for 2023-24.
The Lakers are reportedly mulling over retaining the services of Russell and Hachimura as well, and while this would mean not pursuing Kyrie Irving in the offseason, they seem to be content where they are at this point. The guard is making $31.4 million this season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
NBA analysts have also predicted a Hachimura return next season. Per HoopsHype:
“I think the Lakers are going to try to retain him… I think his range is around the non-taxpayer MLE. I think something in that 2/20 or 3/30 (range). Looking at his numbers in Washington versus L.A., they’re almost identical across the board… I think the Lakers are going to make an offer of around $10 million, and if he’s looking for more or another team is willing to come in and make a bigger offer, they might be willing to walk away. They were high enough on him to trade those three second-round picks, and they want to keep him.”
It’s no surprise that these three players will spend more seasons with the Lakers. They have the age, and the necessary skill set to become a solid core for the side, and only time will tell if they help LeBron James and Anthony Davis go the distance this season.
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