Rob Pelinka Stresses Flexibility as Lakers Shape Roster Around Luka Dončić
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Los Angeles — Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said the organization has deliberately preserved salary-cap flexibility while trying to assemble a championship roster around newly extended superstar Luka Dončić.
Speaking Saturday at the UCLA Health Training Center, where Dončić signed a three-year extension, Pelinka emphasized that the franchise remains in “win-championship-now mode” but refuses to compromise its ability to maneuver under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.
“In the new system, having optionality is key,” he told reporters. “We’ve been very intentional with keeping our optionality to make now moves if there’s good now moves to make, or to preserve our flexibility in the future.”
Off-season additions
Since acquiring Dončić via trade six months ago, Los Angeles has signed center Deandre Ayton in free agency and added defensive specialists Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia. Pelinka said each transaction was weighed against the league’s new apron restrictions, which penalize teams for exceeding certain payroll thresholds.
Trade assets on hand
The Lakers hold several mid-range contracts that could be aggregated in future deals: Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber each earn about $11 million this season, with Vincent and Kleber on expiring agreements. Forward Rui Hachimura is also entering the final year of his contract at just over $18 million.
Draft capital is limited. Los Angeles can presently trade only its 2031 first-round pick outright, though pick swaps are available in 2026 and 2028.
Imagem: Getty via lakersnation.com
‘Monumental moment’ for the franchise
Pelinka called Dončić’s commitment “a monumental moment in Lakers history,” noting the 25-year-old chose to stay long term after half a season in purple and gold. “The best young basketball player in the universe joins, for the long-term future, the best sports franchise on the globe,” he said.
Team governor Jeanie Buss, co-owner Mark Walter, head coach JJ Redick and several players—including Smart, Vincent, Kleber and Ayton—attended the news conference.
Pelinka concluded that the Lakers’ current cap structure leaves them positioned to strike if another opportunity arises. “To be in a position of flexibility versus being stuck is really promising for how we’re going to build this team moving forward,” he said.
Source: Lakers Nation
