Given the pressure around him, his position may be the least obvious in the league, but Rob Pelinka has been redeeming an image in the NBA for several weeks. It must be said that his work carried out in the offices of Lakers automatically places him among the best leaders of the moment.
Beyond having made leave Russell Westbrook and the other undesirables of the team, the GM and vice-president of Los Angeles thus surrounded LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the player profiles they needed. To know D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura And Jarred Vanderbilt at the trade deadline, then Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince And Cam Reddish to the free agency.
The icing on the cake: in addition to those of D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers managed to negotiate the extension of Austin Reaves and, at a favorable rate. Suffice to say that all the lights are green in California and Rob Pelinka takes the opportunity to receive compliments from his boss…
” It was a wonderful journey at the end of the season, after the trade deadline », recount In effect Jeanie Buss, owner of Los Angeles. ” Rob made adjustments that matched the way coach Darvin Ham wanted to play. […] Instead of waiting for free agency to make changes, he made them during the season. The way he handled it all was strategic. He and Darvin were on the same page about what they wanted to do in terms of squad building. »
Inevitably, all of Rob Pelinka’s good work puts the Lakers in prime position for next season, as many expect them to be in contention for the title coming out of their conference finals this year. Except that the daughter of Jerry Buss wants to be much more measured.
” I’m not going to predict this, because it always limits a team “, explains Jeanie Buss, aware of the difficulties of her franchise after the title of 2020. “ People say that the Lakers only play for the titles, but before we can talk about a title, we must already be able to reach the playoffs. You have to go gradually, put one foot in front of the other. For me, it was already overcoming an obstacle to go to the playoffs last season… »
To see if Rob Pelinka’s successful offseason will allow Los Angeles to do better in a year because, the last time he was so inspired during the summer, it ended with a trophy in the “bubble” from Orlando…
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
