Rob Pelinka Discussion: BBall Ops Pres + GM (AKA: Lucky Rob)

Are The Lakers Fine Without Jonathan Kuminga? Does Luka Doncic NEED A Lob Threat?

 

These are the podcasts people watch?

 

Not me.
I only listen to Trevor’s stuff, as well as his “Laker Collective” with Buha and the other dude.

 

Not being able to get LeBron to re-sign for the vet minimum is a huge red flag and stain on Rob.

LeBron has his issues but you can't convince me that Luka + Bron + Reaves + Kessler + Sandro along with a bench of Grimes, Thybulle, Sexton, Carr, and his son being on the roster wouldn't have been a title contender. There is the Eastern Conference factor but the East is a much deeper top 10 teams than the Spurs where it's pretty top heavy with Spurs/OKC and then everyone else.

Kessler > Embiid (Unless Embiid is 100% and plays 80% of the games)
Luka > Brown
Reaves = 80% of Maxey

Bench of Sixers doesn't look too good so I'm giving the nod to the Lakers.

Something went wrong here and badly for LeBron to really move away from his son on the team, his family loving LA, business relationships, and the lifestyle.

And that largely falls on Rob. What seriously went wrong here that he felt the Sixers was a better option? It's not like he's going to the Sixers to be a 1st or 2nd option. It's worth wondering if Rob soured the relationship and if so, that's not a good sign as well.

My guess is Rob and the Lakers began shutting out Klutch from internal discussions and LeBron wanted a partnership that was now being transferred over to Luka when it realistically could have been handled better.

 

Yes, why? They're so much better than the ones you were participating lol

 

What's so funny?

 

Yeah, LeBron is completely innocent in this relationship. Dude strong armed Rob every single chance he could, for eight seasons, in order to get the players he wanted.
I respect Rob and Walter MORE for ripping off the band-aide.

 

word. Bye Felicia

 

What LeBron's Decision Means For The Lakers

 

Reports Say Pelinka Keeps Calling on Jonathan Kuminga

 

My whole argument when everyone wanted to go all in for Bron-AD. There's always an opportunity cost and with the way NBA works you always need to balance what you're getting now vs what you won't be able to get tomorrow.
It's a reason why we may hold onto the swap. We get another swap next season and it may be important to ship Vando next summer for a good player.

Now we got 2 long term building pieces that fit perfectly and can allow us to compete for many years

 

i agree, mostly. i'm just currently on the eff dem picks train because what we have left isn't going to move the needle that much in the future, imo. so if you can get a starter before training camp, do it.

 

I agree mostly as well. The thing for me is if we are going to use our last few assets it needs to be for someone that is going to swing the needle substantially and not just bump it. Admittedly, I don't see other teams play much and don't have your insight for trades and contracts. The players left make me nervous they will mess with young players development without giving us the needed push. Again, that could be that I just don't know them well enough. I do trust Rob to make the right decision now that he is free to do so.

 

right. i'd spend everything we've got to get kuminga (all expirings, 2nds, swaps) because i don't foresee us getting anything better at the deadline by waiting. it's possible someone comes loose that we can package our 15m in expirings for, but history says this is a DFS/kennard level player, which is nice, but not kuminga.

i'm not trading any assets for like, deandre hunter or kuzma (unless they take vando, in which case they can have a 2nd).

 

Yep.

It's like being on death row, ordering your final meal and holding off on dessert causes you're trying to watch your figure.

We pushed the chips in, keeping a $5 chip in your pocket when the rest is riding on Red when you still need a starting PF doesn't make much sense.

Best case Rob blindly ropes in Dallas the way he did Utah when we got Luka. That's the way I can see him getting any Dallas players on our roster anytime soon. Optics still matter to that fan base.

Or Kuminga fires his agent and gets real with himself.

 

Yeah I really want a starting 4, even if just a placeholder. Definitely send the swap for PJ/Kuminga type if needed. Not sure for Kuz/Hunter type though, would have to think.

Really want to make 2 moves next summer, but it's also important to start this season with as strong as possible group, and that means a clear starting 4. Let's see what the FO is able to do

 

Lakers Pursuing Center, Wing Options

 

Biggest Wing and Big Man Needs

 

REPORT: Luka Doncic To Host Lakers Minicamp; LeBron James, Steph Curry Similarities