NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has been on a roll since the last season’s trade deadline. Since he brought in enough talent to push the Loss Angeles Lakers into the playoffs Pelinka has not only re-signed the same group he also added Gabe Vincent to replace Dennis Schroder who left the Los Angeles Lakers for the Toronto Raptors. Gabe Vincent spent the first four seasons of his career in Miami and was a crucial part of the Heat’s 2022-23 Finals run. Last season, he averaged 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in 25.9 minutes across 68 games. With the Lakers, he will likely come off the bench behind D’Angelo Russell and provide quality perimeter defense.
Gabe Vincent isn’t the only new Los Angeles Lakers they also signed Taurean Prince away from the Minnesota Timberwolves as well. The SF/PF will help the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench strength. Prince was a solid reserve for Minnesota last year, averaging 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 22.1 minutes across 54 appearances (four starts). The versatile forward fits the style of play the Lakers were playing during their postseason run, so it appears like a solid fit. However, Prince will have difficulty playing enough minutes to be fantasy relevant if Los Angeles finds a way to retain Rui Hachimura. Along with the previous two newest Lakers they also brought in Cam Reddish as another free agent. Reddish has long been considered as a bust by many however with the Lakers being a deep team Reddish can possibly thrive in the new home.
Pelinka Is Thinking
Rob Pelinka was originally being criticized for allowing LeBron James and Anthony Davis for having too much say in the team’s structure seeing Russell Westbrook come to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that did not work. He also dealt away many younger talented players to leave the Los Angeles Lakers in moves that also left the Los Angeles Lakers limited moves in the draft.
This off-season Pelinka was determined to keep his younger talented players and did so. Keeping Austin Reaves, Rai Huchimura, and De’Angelo Russell all while keeping the Los Angeles Lakers payroll under the hard cap 2 status. These are the things I was asking him to do after the bubble championship that simply didn’t happen. Keeping good players and no longer giving away first-round draft picks is vital, especially under the new CBA terms.
The Los Angeles Lakers have enough talent to stay in contention in the powerful NBA western conference. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they have their duo and now with the supporting cast, they also have the talent to compete deep into the playoffs. Make no mistake they need to remain healthy if the Lakers are going to compete for their 18th NBA title.
Los Angeles Lakers Signings
LAKERS FREE AGENCY (SO FAR)
▫️Austin Reaves 4yr/$56M
▫️Gabe Vincent 3yr/$33M
▫️D’Angelo Russell 2yr/$37M
▫️Rui Hachimura 3yr/$51M
▫️Taurean Prince 1yr/$4.5M
▫️Cam Reddish 2yr/$4.5M
▫️Jaxson Hayes 2yr/minRob Pelinka is the best GM in basketball #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/8AVoKiSXWn
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) July 1, 2023
What Does the Future Hold
The two draft picks by the Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis and point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino are both young players who can grow into the future leaders the Los Angeles Lakers need when LeBron James ends his storied career and this is again necessary under the new CBA the Los Angeles Lakers are in a much better space than they were at this time last season.
Rob Pelinka has done an outstanding job at making the Los Angeles Lakers are competitive roster that will be together for a while. The NBA landscape has changed with the new CBA and one of the lessons has been well received by the Los Angeles Lakers general manager. Pelinka got the draft right and so far barring any other deals out there that the Lakers would normally have made he avoided doing any of those things that had me calling for his head 12 months ago.
