Dave McMenamin believes LeBron James has drawn a line in the sand regarding Rob Pelinka’s trade strategy
LeBron James has been sending not-so-subtle hints to the LA Lakers that he’s not content with the roster around him. The four-time MVP discussed with the media almost a month ago that his DNA is championship basketball, especially if he’s playing with the right pieces.
Rob Pelinka, during the press conference that introduced Rui Hachimura as the newest Laker, reiterated that his draft strategy is to be “smart.” He’s only going to offload the coveted first-round picks if he’s certain it guarantees the team’s 18th banner.
Dave McMenamin had this to comment about Pelinka’s words and LeBron James’ response to his general manager’s draft plan via the “Sedano & Kap” podcast:
“LeBron said, ‘Rob said it to you guys, right? He didn’t say it to us. My job is to play, Rob’s job is to take care of the front office.’ Rob [Pelinka] echoed the same thing.
To me, I’m not saying that’s not a division or rancor but certainly it is LeBron drawing a line in the sand and saying, ‘If you have a problem with me making noise in the past, I’m not gonna do that. All my noise will be on the court.
“‘And it’s unmistakable how dominant I’ve been and how much I mean to this team and this franchise right now. How about you match the same effort on your end?’ To me, that’s how I read it.”
Rob Pelinka on the trade deadline: "If there's an opportunity to get all the way to the end and win a championship, there's no resource we'll hold on to if we feel like that's there." https://t.co/uAfhScNe17
The ESPN analyst added that he understood the LA Lakers’ dilemma after two huge trades that LeBron James reportedly pushed for. However, he still has trouble understanding Pelinka’s strategy for the team:
“You can’t make a deal for the sake of making a deal that’s why the Lakers are in this situation, to begin with. They decided in the summer of 2021 to go with a big name and they got Russell Westbrook and threw everything out of whack.
“At the same time, to suggest that the only type of deal that you’d make where you give up your assets is one that gets you to the finish line. What does that even mean? Is there someone that has Larry O’Brien on their roster? You trade for a guy named Larry O’Brien to make sure the trophy comes with him? I don’t get it!”
It almost feels like Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss are punishing LeBron James for the Russell Westbrook trade! https://t.co/TskTLNeHbq
In 2019, the LA Lakers mortgaged their future to acquire Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. Two seasons later, they also traded for Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. LA’s draft cupboard isn’t empty but it’s almost bare.
LeBron James still does not have his “lasers”
A few games into the season, “King James” admitted that the LA Lakers were bereft of “lasers.” At one point, they flirted with the worst three-point field-goal efficiency in NBA history.
With more than half the season over, LeBron James is still waiting for a laser or two to arrive. Rui Hachimura has boosted their size, length and defensive play, but he’s not the kind of shooter the four-time MVP has had success with in his career.
Several names have been linked to the LA Lakers and more will likely come as the trade deadline approaches. Rob Pelinka is reportedly eyeing Detroit Pistons sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic but he’s not willing to give up an unprotected first-round pick.
Rui Hachimura’s acquisition does not preclude the Lakers from making another trade before deadline on February 9th.
One name to watch? Bojan Bogdanovic.
More analysis from @jovanbuha: theathletic.com/4118653/2023/0… https://t.co/YnE4jbe9hz
The Lakers could also swing big by trading for Bogdanovic and teammate Alec Burks, two of the best three-point shooters this season. To get the deal done, Russell Westbrook, a Sixth Man of the Year contender, and the two prized draft picks will have to be included.
The ball is in Rob Pelinka’s hands. LeBron James has shown the front office that he’s capable of leading this team to another title if the right pieces are around him. He’s asking Pelinka to throw in the same kind of support he’s given before.
Here's the full Sedano & Kap podcast