Following a quiet offseason, it’s clear the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t rushing into trades just to improve their roster. Given the gap between them and other Western Conference contenders, they should only consider a trade if it significantly enhances their chances of becoming championship contenders in the near future.
This seems to reflect the front office’s mindset, as they demonstrated patience this summer. The Lakers had opportunities for multiple moves but chose not to pursue them, likely because they didn’t believe any would elevate them to contender status.
While this cautious approach defines their current stance as the season approaches, the Lakers remain open to trades. General manager Rob Pelinka has stated that they are willing to explore deals if the right opportunity arises.