Rob Pelinka caught sleeping as Warriors make no-brainer trade Lakers should’ve made

Rob Pelinka caught sleeping as Warriors make no-brainer trade Lakers should’ve made.

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost eight of their last 11 games. LeBron James is dealing with a foot injury, and the franchise is back in the Play-In Tournament mix. Fans should not be shocked. LA finished seventh last season and was eighth in 2023. Rob Pelinka has done little to alter their roster over the previous two years. Same players often equals similar results.

 

Sunday officially kicks off trade season as players who signed in the offseason become eligible to be dealt. The Lakers have more possibilities to acquire but are just $30,001 below the second tax apron. Pelinka must upgrade their roster, but making deals won’t be easy.

The Lakers missed a golden opportunity to improve their ball-handling and playmaking. Golden State pounced on the Nets looking to rebuild and acquired former Laker Dennis Schroder and a second-round draft pick for three second-rounders.

 

Rob Pelinka and Lakers snoozed as Warriors land Dennis Schroder

Lakers fans know Schroder well. The point guard helped LA make the playoffs twice and was a key role player on their 2023 run to the conference finals. Losing the instant offense guard in free agency and replacing him with Gabe Vincent was one of the few moves Pelinka has made over the last two years. Vincent has been virtually unplayable since arriving in Los Angeles, and Schroder is having arguably the best season of his career with the Nets.

The 6’1 guard averaged 18.4 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 33.6 minutes per game this season. He shot 45.2 percent from the field and 38.7 percent on his 3-pointers. Schroder’s inconsistent jumper held him back in LA, but he has made 37.8 percent from long range since leaving the Lakers.

 

Brooklyn traded Mikal Bridges in the offseason and was supposed to be rebuilding. They are 10-15 and sit 13th in offensive rating with Schroder running the show. Fans know he can get buckets and make plays. The Nets are scoring 1.1 points per 100 possessions more than the Lakers so far this season. Brooklyn was eager to move on, and the Warriors paid a small price to land a significant upgrade.

 

Schroder would have lightened the load on LeBron James and made things easier for J.J. Redick and the Lakers. He would organize the offense and get players’ open looks. King James averages 9.1 assists per game with D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves hovering around five each night. Adding Schroder makes the Lakers less reliant on D-Lo to create and would give them a veteran to provide an instant boost.

The Warriors paid three second-round picks and De’Anthony Melton, who is out for the season. Brooklyn wanted to move on from Schroder. It was the perfect opportunity for Rob Pelinka, but they stood pat again. The Lakers have been unwilling to part with draft capital, which continues to cost them.

 

The Los Angeles Lakers are not a serious title contender and will be back in the Play-In Tournament without upgrading their roster. Does Pelinka finally find a workable trade? The pressure should be on before the Feb. 6 deadline, but fans should not get their hopes up.