Rob Pelinka, Lakers Front Office Unlikely To Trade First-Round Picks

Don’t count on Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers front office shipping their future first-round draft picks in a trade package.

Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and the rest of the team’s front office might be looking at a potential big trade to shake up their roster, but don’t count on them dealing their future first-round draft picks. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, sources around the league say that the Lakers’ front office is “unlikely” to include their future first-rounders as part of a trade package. The main reason for that hesitation is that the franchise is not entirely bought in on the belief that a trade deal can “significantly” improve their season.

With the Lakers currently sporting an abysmal record of two wins against nine losses, there are speculations on whether the Lakers are going to give this roster more time to jell or shake it up and build a better supporting cast around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Rumors of the Lakers potentially going after the services of Indiana Pacers’ sharpshooter Buddy Hield and 3-and-D big man Myles Turner have been surfacing until today, but Haynes mentioned that even the team doesn’t believe that it could “move the needle” this season.

Having said all this, Rob Pelinka will have to work his magic to get this team headed in the right direction. The Lakers have an abundance of issues in outside shooting, as they’re currently dead last in the league in three-point shooting percentage (29.3%). It remains to be seen if Pelinka makes a move in the trade market, but there’s no question that the current makeup of the Lakers’ roster is not fit for championship contention.