The Los Angeles Lakers have made several roster changes this offseason, but they have no plans to make further moves until they get a better sense of the strength of their current group. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, GM Rob Pelinka wants to see this team in training camp before he considers mixing things up any further.
"The Lakers are expected to take their current roster into training camp and give this group a chance to prove themselves before charting possible trades and changes," wrote Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. "Specifically, the Lakers are interested in seeing what value Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber can provide."
The Lakers added some key role players to help meet their championship goals next season, including Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia. Still, the roster could use upgrades at center and forward, and the latest intel suggests that Pelinka has already tried (and failed) to fill those spots.
"Lakers' front office still explored the trade market this offseason for center depth and wing defenders before signing both Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart," Siegel added. "No deal with immediate value and minor financial details presented itself to Los Angeles during the summer, leading to Los Angeles' patience."
So, with the roster set for the time being, Pelinka isn't going to rush to make changes. Even as some fans pressure him to trade veterans like Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber, the plan for now is to see how they fit with this current group. As a solid shooter and scorer, Vincent provided a boost off the bench last season with averages of 6.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game on 40.0% shooting. Kleber, meanwhile, did his best in a limited role with averages of 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 38.5% shooting.
With training camp just a few weeks away, Pelinka will soon get to see this group in action, and he'll be keeping a close eye on not only how they mesh together on the court but also how they get along in the locker room.
Of course, the star of the show will be Luka Doncic, and Lakers executives have already gone out of their way to show support for their franchise player. In his first offseason as a Laker, building that bond is crucial, but it's just the first step in returning the team to contention.
The good news is, no matter what happens in training camp or during the season, the Lakers have resources to mix things up when needed. With multiple picks and tradeable contracts, Pelinka can tweak this roster as he sees fit, and he will not hesitate to make a move if it means improving his team's title chances.
But in a league where continuity matters, the Lakers aren't going to trade their guys for anything other than a sure bet. For now, they like what they have and believe this group can win the title just as they are. One way or another, training camp will reveal a lot about where they currently stand, but with Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton, this group is looking like a contender for the 2025-26 season.
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