The Lakers’ second-half surge partly masked several of the deficiencies that undid them. They didn’t have a starting-caliber center — or a second playable one behind starter Jaxson Hayes. They were able to smoke-and-mirrors their way to a good defense from January on, but their perimeter defenders struggled to contain dribble penetration. They were at an athletic disadvantage against most teams, which showed up in a variety of ways. Their rebounding and ball control fluctuated nightly. Their bench was inconsistent offensively.
Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka acknowledged those deficiencies, to varying degrees, in his exit interview. He made it clear that the organization will prioritize building around Dončić and addressing the center position this summer. The last time they tried to upgrade at center they rescinded the Mark Williams deal with Charlotte after the trade deadline had already passed.
“We just didn’t have the time after the Luka trade,” Pelinka said. “But now we do. That’s the good news. … And the one thing we know about the NBA is there’s always new and unexpected opportunities around the corner. That’s just the nature of this business. And my focus is gonna be on that and making sure that next year we have the requisite size to have a team that can compete for a championship.”
The Lakers need to find a way to add more size, defense, shooting and athleticism around Dončić, which is far easier said than done. And they need to do so with limited roster-building tools, especially if James doesn’t take a pay cut, as The Athletic previously reported is unlikely. In that case, the Lakers will likely only have the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception and a few trade assets at their disposal (one first-round pick, several expiring contracts and Dalton Knecht).
Of note, Dončić is eligible to sign an extension on Aug. 2 — over a month into free agency, when he’ll have a clearer idea of what the Lakers’ roster looks like and how serious they are about contending next season.
“When you make a seismic trade at the deadline, your roster and the building around it, it’s kind of like trying to build an airplane in the sky,” Pelinka said. “Now we get a chance to land that plane, put it in the hangar and really figure out the parts of it that we need to retrofit and change. … We know we have a lot of work to do on the roster, and it will look different next year, for sure.”
Patience is a scarce resource in LakerLand. Every season is championship-or-bust. And when they fall short — like losing in the first round in five games — significant changes are expected.
But barring a drastic trade featuring starters Austin Reaves and/or Rui Hachimura, the top of the roster likely is going to look similar to last season. In addition to one notable signing with an exception (likely the $5.7 million TMLE), they can make one sizable trade or two smaller deals with some combination of expiring contracts (with Gabe Vincent and/or Maxi Kleber being the most likely to be traded), Knecht, and either their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick (but not both).
29 comments
Luka should really test FA, he waited 6 years to get a competent team around him just to get traded to another mid roster with no assets
I mean they have Austin reeves. He’s a great trade asset and they probably will flip him for the depth they need
They’re gonna have to trade Reaves. He’s on a good contract but an extension will jack up the price and Luka and him will be exposed defensively come playoff time
How much money do the lakers actually get from a LeBron pay cut? Say LeBron takes a 20mil pay cut how much money does that actually give the lakers?
size, shooting, defense, athleticism…is that it?
Capela is the only rotation calibre C that is doable
Lebron should really take a pay cut. Having one or two more titles is going to do way more for his legacy than another 20-30 million per year.
Otherwise this roster is kind of screwed tbh
James being paid max is another first round exit
Buha
All opinion no source
lol lebron not taking a Big paycut if he takes one. I think he made it pretty clear in his exit interviews LA did what was in their best interest by getting Luka for the future. So he’s doing what’s in his best interest for the present
I just get mad remembering that Nico actually spent the last two years building a team around Luka only to trade him.
Surely there is a team with a star player that is interested in the number 1 pick in next year’s draft
Lakers are not a serious contender with a 40+yo Lebron and his son handicapping a roster spot.
The roster construction lacks fluidity. Too many one dimensional players where either they can’t play defense or just straight up a liability on the offensive hand.
The lakers have been looking for this for years and all they came back with is what they have. Idk how they’re going to make a dollar out of 15 cents this time. They probably have to roll the dice on a bunch of young guys again and hopefully one develops or can be flipped at a profit in the future.
The lakers are stuck as long as Lebron is there. He’s not going to take a pay cut, and why should he? Not his job to build a contender around him. But him on a max deal with Luka means they have minimal roster flexibility, especially with only a single FRP to trade.
They also have contracts teams don’t want like Vanderbilt and Kleber. Reaves doesn’t play defense and has issues with elite defensive teams. Trading for a C is a start, but what players are you excited about beyond Luka, 41 year old LeBron, Reaves, and Rui?
They’re going to trade Austin Reaves. The funniest realistic possibility involves Reaves going to Dallas for a package that includes Gafford.
We need a center and a defensive guard. Playing Vando as a back up center takes away from his perimeter defense where he excels. Can’t trade the dawg saying he stinks when you have had leashed all series.
Luka needs to seriously consider testing free agency and going east
He’s entering his “prime years” soon and the West is an absolute bloodbath. Then again…that all depends on how much he really cares about winning because LA is a sweet place to live
Him on the Magic would be really fun tho
I’m so glad nothing ever came of all the Myles Turner trade rumors over the years.
It’s not that hard- just get the league to squeeze the balls of some other franchise to trade away their star player for significantly less than their value and the promise of next year’s first overall pick.
I really hope he doesn’t sign with Lakers this summer. I know he probably gonna do since it’s Lakers but if I’m him I go to teams like Magic, Rockets where they already have insane athletes. Imagine -fvv +luka lol. I know Lakers gets free agents a lot but I don’t really know if they can built a deep roster to compete against Okc, Wolves for next year’s. Also Luka-Reaves just not a good combo. Some people compared him to being similar to Kyrie which is just disrespectful since first Kyrie plays pretty good defence and active all the time second Kyrie has million moves while we saw Reaves getting stopped when he wouldn’t get those whistles. I’m saying this because if Lakers give big money to Reaves I just don’t see that being a good move with Luka-Reaves duo.
Anyway I’m just annoyed after all those years with no defensive center, zero size etc. Luka yet again find himself in that scenario.
We hear this all the time about Lakers yet they somehow manage to make great trades out of nowhere
So lakers need to find a way to get better. Got it. Thanks Magic!
“The Lakers need to add better shooting, athleticism, speed, defense, size, ball handling, rebounding, passing, coaching, assistant coaching, athletic training, nutrition counseling, and nephrology around doncic.”
LBJ is 40 years old and a frikkin Billionaire. I don’t give 2 sh*ts whether he takes a pay cut or not, since I am not a Lakers fan, but if he were smart he would. Winning is more valuable to him right now than any NBA contract (unless he gets another 5 years max contract, which I don’t believe he wants to).
Again he’s a frikkin millionaire, can’t you already make a sh*t ton of money by investing?
Long time Bron fan here, but I just don’t believe they can win with him getting the max even as a second option. It’s pretty clear in these last few playoffs
Awww boohoo poor Lakers
“Lakers are great team, just need to work on defense, shooting, athleticism, size, teamwork, boxouts, steals, rebounds, adjustments,..”
On paper, LeBron taking the pay cut makes sense but in reality they will end up overpaying some bums with that money.