Report: Rob Pelinka operating in the shadows ‘more so this summer than ever’

Los Angeles Lakers executive Rob Pelinka has taken lots of heat so far this offseason due to his team’s lack of major moves, but perhaps something is coming soon.

The Lakers have reportedly been active in trade talks recently, discussing potentials deals with the Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz and others.

The Lakers are discussing trades with the Blazers, Nets and Jazz, per @jovanbuha

“It’s too early to write the Lakers off, of course. There’s always a chance they pull a rabbit out of a hat with a trade or signing. They have been active in recent days, discussing potential deals… pic.twitter.com/z3Gj8hZ3QV

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 2, 2024

According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, Pelinka is operating in the shadows “more so this summer than ever,” which means that a big deal could be in the works.

“It’s too early to write the Lakers off, of course,” wrote Buha. “There’s always a chance they pull a rabbit out of a hat with a trade or signing. They have been active in recent days, discussing potential deals with Portland, Brooklyn and Utah, among other teams, according to league and team sources. Vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka tends to operate in the shadows — more so this summer than ever, according to league sources. It’s certainly possible he has a contingency plan that saves the offseason.”

While teams across the league have made major moves since the start of free agency, the Lakers haven’t really done all that much. They did draft Dalton Knecht and Bronny James before agreeing to re-sign Max Christie on a four-year deal, but those aren’t really groundbreaking moves.

Last season proved that the team needs more if it wants to compete in the tough Western Conference. Los Angeles was swept by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs and later fired Darvin Ham, who lasted just two seasons as the Lakers’ head coach.

JJ Redick was recently hired to take his place, but changing coaches can only do so much. Some upgrades to the roster are still needed.

What changes can the Lakers make?

Jun 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka loosk on as head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles has some interesting pieces that it is apparently dangling in trade talks. D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent have all been named in trade rumors.

Lakers players in trade talks per @JakeLFischer:

D’Angelo Russell
Rui Hachimura
Jarred Vanderbilt
Gabe Vincent

“The Lakers have also been exploring trade scenarios with the contracts of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, sources said, and… pic.twitter.com/xqygp6C5kE

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2024

Now, those aren’t the most impactful players out there, but they definitely have some sort of value. Russell is on an expiring contract, and those tend to be very valuable throughout the league. Hachimura is still only 26 years old and on a pretty cheap deal ($17 million this season and just under $18.3 million next season).

Vanderbilt is a solid wing defender, and while Vincent struggled mightily last season when he wasn’t injured, he has shown to be a capable role player.

It’ll be interesting to see if Pelinka and the Lakers are able to make a big splash before the 2024-25 regular season begins. The team has been linked to big-name players like DeMar DeRozan.

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