Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka spoke about the team’s plans for the upcoming free agency period, which begins on Friday.
During a media address on Tuesday, Pelinka indicated that Los Angeles does not plan to make any significant roster changes and will instead focus on keeping its core intact after reaching the Western Conference Finals last season.
“We want to do our best to keep this core together,” Pelinka saidvia Dan Wiki from Los Angeles Times.
In terms of additions the Lakers might make, the general manager has suggested that the team will look to upgrade defensively, with an emphasis on “defense-minded, selfless players,” according to Jovan Buha of the athlete.
Rob Pelinka said the Lakers target tough, defensive-minded and selfless players in free agency. It was reported that the plan is still restarting with marginal upgrades.
– Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) June 27, 2023
Pelinka has been clear about his desire to bring her back next season with much the same roster as 2022-23, and with free agency looming, it appears the organization’s mentality hasn’t changed.
NBA insider Mark Stein reported On Monday, the Lakers said they were “a lock” to match any offer that shooting guard Austin Reeves receives as a restricted free agent, regardless of the transaction price. Roy Hashimura He is also a restricted free agent this offseason, while Angelo Russell He would be an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers own the rights to Russell’s Bird, which means they can go over the salary cap to offer him a raise in a re-signing or signing-and-trade scenario.
Tuesday night, and The Lakers extended the qualifying offers to Hachimura and Reeves.
in addition to, I’m Bamba And Owner Paisley Both are on unsecured contracts, so the team has until Wednesday to make a decision on the futures contracts.
The Lakers also hope to re-sign Lonnie Walker And Dennis Schroederand both are non-free agents, meaning the Lakers are only able to give them a 20% salary increase without incurring a cap.