The Los Angeles Lakers were certainly busy over the last few months. They made a lot of changes to their roster as they go after that elusive 18th NBA championship. The new-look Lakers are certainly a sight to behold, as they comprise of players that no one in their right mind expected them to land during this season.
Their new roster is one that is barely recognizable considering the players they started the season with. Here is a total list of all the players and picks assets the Lakers brought in and brought out during this season.
Los Angeles Lakers acquire: Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton, Luka Doncic, Markieff Morris, Maxi Kleber, Mark Williams
Los Angeles Lakers traded: D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Dalton Knecht, and Cam Reddish, 2029, 2031 First-Round Pick, 2030 First-Round Pick-Swap, 2025, 2027, 2030, 2031 Second-Round Pick
The Lakers’ first big move this season was making a trade for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, sending D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets along with some second-round picks.
This move gave the Lakers multiple benefits, such as a strong wing defender who can make threes and a decent backup option at shooting guard. On top of that, it allowed them to get D’Angelo Russell, who was massively underperforming, off the books.
It was the start of their massive roster overhaul this year. But no one could have anticipated where it was going.
Last weekend, Rob Pelinka pulled off what many are calling the biggest trade in NBA history, as he sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, a 2029 first-round pick, and Jalen Hood-Schifino out to the Dallas Mavericks and Jazz respectively to land Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.
It was a trade no one saw coming, not even Rob Pelinka. In fact, Pelinka thought that Mavericks GM Nico Harrison was kidding when he first pitched the trade. Luka Doncic himself was caught off guard and had no idea about being traded.
With this massive trade, the Lakers had their future centerpiece locked down. However, the Lakers traded away Anthony Davis, who was the only major big on the team who was playing at the highest level. The Lakers only had Jaxson Hayes as a first-team center option.
Rob Pelinka acknowledged their new-found weakness and made sure to address it within just four days. On Thursday night, less than 24 hours before the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a massive trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, sending Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick-swap.
Pelinka’s transactions over the last few months have been nothing short of transformative for the Lakers. And now, even more so than when they started the season, they have a legitimate shot at the NBA championship this season. JJ Redick could become a championship coach in his very first season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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