The Seguno, California – while welcoming the Superstar Luka Doncic, 25, to the franchise to match LeBron James, 40, Vice President of Basketball Operations of Los Angeles de los Ángeles and General Manager Rob Pelinka. True contender to the championship.
“We know that our list has continued working to complete,” Pelinka said during an introductory press conference with Doncic on Tuesday morning. “We know we have the need for a great.”
The Lakers acquired Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, in surprising treatment during the weekend as part of an exchange of three teams with the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. He sent it to Anthony Davis, Max Christie and his first round of 2029 to Dallas. Utah received two second round selections (the Clippers ‘in 2025 and the MAVs’ in 2025) as incentives to face the expired contract of Jalen Hood-Schifino of the Lakers.
Separating from Davis, 31, considered one of the best two -way men in sport, has left a central size hole in the alignment of the Lakers. When asked what type of skill set is looking in a big man, Pelinka said: “versatility, mobility, a threat of vertical lob, I think it is a key to the space that Luka likes to play. Competitive. I think that That is some of the central things there are difficult to find.
Jaxson Hayes began the last two games in the center before the exchange, while Davis was out with an abdominal lesion, totaling 14 points in 6 of 6 shots, 12 rebounds, 4 blockages and 3 robberies. He was also whistled by six fouls in 47 minutes. Hayes, 24, is a 7 feet foot with length and athletics, but has fought against the most bucos centers and staying out of fault problems in their two seasons with the Lakers.
After Hayes, there is a great drop in reliability in position. The Christian Wood backup center has been out throughout the season with a knee injury and its potential date of return is unknown. It has three more signed centers with bidirectional contracts in Christian Koloko, Trey Jemison III and Armel Traore, who have only played Spot minutes this season.
With the commercial deadline of Thursday that is quickly approaching, Pelinka warned that the Lakers may not be able to obtain the perfect adjustment for the position this season.
“We know that we have the need for a great one: the large market at this time that leads to the last two or three days of the exchange deadline is very dry,” said Pelinka. “There is simply much available. So, maybe we can do some things around the margins. I would say that, in terms of a great movement for that position, it is probably more realistic that it is something that comes in the low season”
Pelinka added: “If there is no large championship in the market, I cannot greet a wand and create that opportunity. We will continue working and looking for areas that we can complete and complete the list.”
The one is still armed with its first round of 2031, as well as a future second round selection that can operate while checking the market. Pelinka said he will consult with coach JJ Redick in the decisions of the list in the future. He also spent Monday at a meeting with Doncic to receive his opinion.
“Luka and I spent a time yesterday in my office only talking about the players in our list with those who have played and what you see as a kind of short and long term needs,” said Pelinka. “And I think we will continue to have those basketball discussions and take this list to a championship level.”
Doncic, a seven -year veteran who comes from the first appearance in the final of his last spring, said that achieving his first title, which would be the number 5 for James and the number 18 for the Lakers, is his highest priority to As he begins his time in Los Angeles
“You don’t come here for anything but championships,” said Doncic. “Then, I have everything to try. And the goal is to win a championship.”
In that, Pelinka was aligned with her new star.
“The urgency is always present,” he said. “From the first day I started taking this job until I feel in the chair at this time, there is always an urgency to win championships. That is what the Lakers set out to do. That is the expectation of our fans, and we are going to put on work to constantly try to do it. “