Rumors had swirled around for months on the potential trades that the Los Angeles Lakers might make this season. Then, the February 8 trade deadline came and went with the team making no moves, and GM Rob Pelinka explained why that was the case.
“My job is to always look for ways to upgrade our roster,” Pelinka said. “But, you can’t buy a house that’s not for sale. And so, we spent a lot of time looking for ways to use assets to make our team better, but the right move wasn’t there.”
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Here’s Rob Pelinka explaining the Lakers’ approach to the trade deadline. “You can’t buy a house that’s not for sale.”
Pelinka stressed the two additional first-round picks the Lakers can trade this summer. pic.twitter.com/MMUth40DBU
— michael corvo (@michaelcorvo_) February 9, 2024
Pelinka also stated that they just had one first-round draft pick (2029) that they could trade at the deadline, and they did not want to part with it just to get marginally better. Keeping that pick means the Lakers now have three first-round draft picks that they can trade after the 2024 NBA Draft.
They will be either the 2024 or 2025 pick, depending on which one the New Orleans Pelicans want, to go with 2029 and 2031. The Lakers can include all three along with some notable role players in a package for a big star.
Pelinka also stated that the Lakers will be aggressive in the buyout market, as they look to fill their final open roster spot. You’d assume that they would strongly pursue someone like Spencer Dinwiddie.
Rob Pelinka Shared The Conversation He Had With LeBron James Prior To The Trade Deadline
LeBron James had seemingly been sending signs for weeks now that he wanted the Lakers to make some moves to turn the season around. With the team ultimately not making any, Pelinka was asked if he had any conversations with James.
“The last conversation I had with him was that he was focused on the guys in the locker room and making them the best players and teammates they can be. He said after our last game, ‘I love these guys.’ He knows as our leader and captain that building those guys up and getting the best version of those guys is important to the run we will make.”
LeBron did indeed say he loves the guys in the Lakers locker room when asked about trade rumors. All that the 39-year-old can do now is try to get his teammates to be the best version of themselves.
It will be interesting to see, though, whether the Lakers’ failure to make any moves ends up having an impact on LeBron’s future with the team. James has a player option for 2024-25 and can opt out of it to become a free agent. If he does go that route, the Lakers might end up having some serious regrets over not pulling the trigger.
LeBron James On How The Lakers Can Make A Playoff Push
The Lakers are now 27-26 on the season after a 114-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. They are ninth in the standings in the West, and when LeBron was asked how the Lakers can make a playoff push this season, he replied they just need to be healthy.
While LeBron and Anthony Davis have been relatively healthy this season, a lot of the key role players on the team have missed significant time. Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura have all spent time on the sidelines, and LA is hoping everyone will be healthy as we get to the business end of the season.
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