The Los Angeles Lakers are at a pivotal moment, with their championship window potentially closing as LeBron James enters the twilight of his career. General Manager Rob Pelinka made it clear during a media session that the Lakers are open to trading their best remaining assets—but only if the right deal presents itself.
“We would do a trade with both picks if that leads to sustainable Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said Wednesday. “We would also use one pick to make a marginal upgrade if we felt that was the right thing to do.”
While Pelinka emphasized that any move would be made with caution and deliberation, fans may be feeling a sense of déjà vu. On media day back in 2022, Pelinka shared a similar sentiment, stating that the front office was “being very thoughtful” about when and how to use their draft capital to improve the roster. Despite these promises, no blockbuster deal materialized.
Although a midseason shakeup in 2023 helped propel the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals, their subsequent sweep by the Denver Nuggets revealed that more drastic changes were needed. Now, once again, Pelinka preaches patience, but some may wonder if this approach will be enough with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis well into their 30s.
Lakers Still Eyeing Jonas Valanciunas for a Potential Trade
One glaring issue for the Lakers heading into the 2024-25 season is their lack of depth at the center position. Although they made some moves in the offseason, such as drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, they failed to address their need for a reliable big man. The team was previously linked to Jonas Valanciunas, the top free-agent center on the market this offseason. However, Valanciunas opted to sign a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards instead of joining the Lakers.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers’ pursuit of Valanciunas might not be over just yet. Given that the Wizards are in the midst of a rebuild, there’s speculation that they may look to flip Valanciunas before the trade deadline, and the Lakers could be very interested. As McMenamin noted, LeBron James was even willing to take a pay cut to open up the full midlevel exception to bring Valanciunas to Los Angeles.
While missing out on Valanciunas in free agency wasn’t ideal, a midseason trade for the 32-year-old center could fill the void in the Lakers’ frontcourt. Valanciunas would provide much-needed size and rebounding, as well as the ability to stretch the floor. Additionally, his defensive presence alongside Anthony Davis could help shore up the Lakers’ interior defense, which remains a concern after they missed out on adding another significant big man in the offseason.
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The Lakers’ relationship with the Washington Wizards could work in their favor, as Pelinka has a proven track record of negotiating trades with the Wizards organization. The team has historically been able to strike deals that benefit both sides, making a potential Valanciunas trade something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Balancing Long-Term Strategy with Immediate Needs
Pelinka’s cautious approach to trading future picks—particularly those in 2029 and 2031—is understandable. The Lakers have already sacrificed a considerable amount of draft capital in recent years to acquire players like Anthony Davis. Making another all-in move could further hamper the team’s ability to rebuild once the LeBron James era comes to an end. However, waiting too long to make a move could also lead to missing the final opportunity to compete for a title with James and Davis at the helm.
There’s a difficult balance to strike between planning for the future and maximizing the present. Pelinka himself acknowledged the need for a delicate approach, stating that any potential trade would only happen after careful consideration. But with the Lakers’ two best players advancing in age, there’s pressure on the front office to act sooner rather than later.
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If the Lakers do pull the trigger on a trade, it may be their last chance to secure another championship with this core. The 2024-25 season will be crucial in determining whether they can make the leap from playoff contender to title favorite, and it’s clear that Pelinka has some big decisions ahead.
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