Rob Pelinka Acknowledges Lakers’ Struggles in Trade Market After Doncic Deal

After securing Luka Doncic over the weekend, Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is facing challenges in making another trade before the trade deadline.

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially entered the Luka Doncic era. Following his acquisition in a weekend blockbuster trade, Doncic was formally introduced as the newest member of the Lakers during Tuesday’s press conference. This was the first chance for fans to see the Slovenian superstar after he was traded in a three-team deal that sent fan-favorite Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.

While Lakers fans are excited to see Doncic join LeBron James, it’s clear that the roster still has areas needing improvement. With the trade deadline fast approaching on Thursday, the time to address these needs is running out.

Despite the Lakers’ desire to add another player for a deep playoff run, general manager Rob Pelinka’s recent comments indicate that securing another trade might be difficult.

Lakers GM Pelinka Faces Difficulty Finding Backup Big Man

After Doncic’s introduction to the media, GM Pelinka spoke about his plans leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline. As much as the 55-year-old wants to “build a roster that fits JJ Redick’s basketball philosophy,” he admitted that finding a backup center has been challenging.

“We know we have a need for a big,” Pelinka said, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. “The market for a big… is very dry.”

NBA insider Dave McMenamin reported that Pelinka expects only a “move around the margins” before the deadline, with the possibility of making a more significant move in the offseason.

The Lakers have been in search of a backup center since Davis was still with the team. Now that the nine-time NBA All-Star is gone, the Lakers’ need to improve their frontcourt has become even more urgent.

A number of veteran big men have appeared in trade rumors ahead of the deadline. Portland’s Robert Williams and Washington’s Jonas Valanciunas have been frequently mentioned in mock trade scenarios. Recently, LA Sportshub’s Cem Yolbulan proposed a trade in which the Atlanta Hawks send Clint Capela to the Lakers.

Following the Doncic deal, the Lakers can still trade two 2025 second-round picks and their 2031 first-round pick. They also have first-round pick swaps available in 2026 and 2028, giving them several potential options to acquire veteran players.

We’ll soon find out if Pelinka can make any moves to boost Los Angeles’ championship chances within the next 48 hours. For now, the Lakers head into the trade deadline with the sixth-best odds (+2000) to win the 2024-25 NBA Finals, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.