Breaking News: Lakers’ General Manager Subtly Hints at Multi-Million Dollar Trade Ahead of Season Opener

In a preseason press conference, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka hinted at the possibility of a mid-season trade. With less than a month before the 2024-25 NBA season begins, many Lakers fans are feeling underwhelmed despite having LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster. Their frustration stems from the team’s lack of offseason moves to improve the roster, especially as other Western Conference teams have bolstered their squads. The Lakers have retained most of last year’s team, which has left fans disappointed.

There was hope among the fanbase that the team would trade their 2029 and 2031 first-round picks to bring in immediate help. Pairing those picks with salaries like D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura could land the Lakers a key starter to support LeBron and AD, but no trade has occurred yet.

Fortunately, Pelinka hinted on Wednesday that a trade could still be in the works. According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, Pelinka mentioned the team’s willingness to trade one or both of their future first-round picks. However, he added a key condition: any trade must lead to “sustained excellence,” which suggests the team may target younger players, potentially limiting their trade options.

Furthermore, NBA insider Dave McMenamin noted that Pelinka wants to evaluate the current roster for the first 30 games before making any decisions. While this could be a sign of caution from the front office, many fans question why more time is needed to assess a roster that struggled last year and may not be a serious title contender.