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Los Angeles Lakers: Rob Pelinka accomplished his trade deadline goals

By Ed Schrenzel

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers (L) talks with head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers (R) during the 2019 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers (L) talks with head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers (R) during the 2019 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Securing the future of the Los Angeles Lakers

The offseason promises to be a challenging one for Pelinka. The NBA salary cap projection for 2021-22 is $112 million and it appears the luxury tax will kick in at about $136.6 million, although neither amount has yet been finalized.

While the Lakers welcomed the opportunity to sign James to an extension, his new contract also created a cap space problem. LeBron certainly deserved a max deal, but had he been willing to accept less money, the Lakers would have had more cap room to add players to help their pursuit of additional titles.

The contracts of four players, James, Davis, KCP and Kyle Kuzma, will total $102.6 million. The final $5 million of Luol Deng’s buyout plus Gasol’s contract brings the payroll up just past $110 million.
Harrell has a below-market $9.7 million player option that he is likely to decline.

Even though Jeannie Buss has expressed her willingness to pay a luxury tax if it means competing for a title, how in the world will Pelinka be able to re-sign Harrell, Schroder, THT and Alex Caruso?

The Lakers have Bird rights on both Schroder and Caruso, but another team might offer either player more than the Lakers will be prepared to spend. The Gilbert Arenas rule limits what teams can offer THT for the next two seasons, but some team might include a “poison pill” increase for the third year.

Pelinka’s unwillingness to trade THT demonstrates that he fully intends to re-sign him. Perhaps Schroder will lower his asking price to a level the team thinks is more reasonable. And maybe Caruso and/or Harrell decide they’d like to stay put. Although these are issues for the next offseason, it’s reassuring to Lakers fans that Pelinka is looking beyond 2021.

Right now, the Jazz, Clippers and Nuggets are worthy Western Conference threats, and the Suns and Blazers might be as well. The Eastern Conference has more title contenders than at any time in recent memory, as the 76ers, Nets, Bucks, Heat and maybe even the Celtics all think they can win the championship this year.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

With a healthy LeBron and AD, the Lakers can compete this year with any of those 10 teams. It is Pelinka’s job to make sure that holds true for at least the next 2-3 seasons.

All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com

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