Addressing the media alongside head coach JJ Redick on Wednesday, Rob Pelinka mentioned it would take about 30 or so video games to correctly consider the Lakers‘ 2024/25 roster.
The Lakers solely added 4 exterior gamers this offseason, bringing in Dalton Knecht and Bronny James through the draft and including two-way gamers Armel Traore and Christian Koloko. The crew will primarily be hoping for well being and inside enchancment to take a step ahead within the Western Convention hierarchy.
“We consider on this group,” Pelinka mentioned in accordance with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Twitter hyperlink).
The Lakers had been in rumors revolving round Hawks guard Trae Younger and different massive names towards the beginning of the offseason, however didn’t find yourself pulling the set off. In the event that they did determine to swing for a star or function participant down the road, their 2029 and 2031 first spherical picks can be extremely coveted.
“We’d do a commerce with each picks if that results in sustainable Lakers excellence,” Pelinka mentioned, per Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina (Twitter hyperlink). “We’d additionally use one choose to make a marginal improve if we felt that was the appropriate factor to do.”
Listed here are extra fascinating feedback from Pelinka and Redick from as we speak’s presser:
- Jarred Vanderbilt had a process on every of his ft this offseason, tweets The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. Pelinka mentioned each operations had been profitable and he’s optimistic the ahead can be prepared for the beginning of the season. Based on Pelinka, the surgical procedure occurred originally of their offseason. Vanderbilt had a bone spur on his foot and the physician really helpful going forward and cleansing the opposite foot since he was lacking time anyhow (Twitter hyperlink through Buha).
- Based on Pelinka, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino have all been cleared to take part in coaching camp (Twitter hyperlink through Buha). Hachimura didn’t miss a lot time final season however Vincent and Hood-Schifino mixed to play in simply 32 video games final season. The Lakers paid $33MM over three seasons to Vincent final 12 months however he was restricted to 11 video games with a knee damage. He’ll possible be relied on extra this coming season.
- Redick says he’s spoken to D’Angelo Russell greater than another Lakers participant. His message to the guard, in accordance with McMenamin (Twitter hyperlink), has been “Let’s put you in place to have a profession 12 months.” Russell averaged 18.0 factors and 6.3 assists final 12 months whereas making 41.5% of his threes.
- Redick mentioned he and his workers have already mentioned the second that LeBron and Bronny will first share the courtroom within the common season, McMenamin tweets. Redick will contain each gamers within the course of, however doesn’t view teaching the pair as a problem.
