Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., F Davis Bertans, C Dwight Powell 

Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL) 

Random, semi-related question: has a title-winning General Manager ever been more scrutinized than Rob Pelinka? 

Recently, the Lakers extended their GM. Many fans questioned the move. In fact, it was so heavily criticized that it’s easy to forget the Lakers were the 2019-20 NBA champions. 

It raises some interesting questions. Does an NBA title always justify a trade? Most would argue yes. On the other hand, the deal Pelikina made to bring Anthony Davis into the fold challenges that assertion.

Yes, the Lakers won, but they gave up several quality players to get there, and they’re still sending draft capital to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Still, Pelinka’s acquisition of Westbrook may have been the last straw for some. His fit with James was immediately questionable. Thus far, all of those questions have been justified. 

Could this deal make up for what appears to have been a mistake?