Rob Pelinka was in his bag when negotiating trades this season. After a disappointing offseason that had many Los Angeles Lakers fans upset, Pelinka made up for it and arguably saved his job in the process.
The Lakers roster looks much different now than it did at the start of the year and is in a much better place. Only good things can happen when a team gets younger and more talented, which the Lakers did.
But which of Pelinka’s moves was the best? There honestly might not be a single bad trade in this bunch but we still have to rank them.
4. Lakers trade for Rui Hachimura from Wizards
- Full details of Rui Hachimura trade: Lakers receive Rui Hachimura; Wizards receive Kendrick Nunn, Chicago Bulls’ 2023 second-round pick, Lakers’ 2029 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick (less favorable of Lakers, Wizards)
The first trade that the Lakers made was for Rui Hachimura, happening long before the trade deadline. While this ranks fourth on our list, this was still a smart trade for Pelinka to pull off and by all means is a good trade.
At the time, three second-round picks (really, it was two since they didn’t have their 2028 second anyway) seemed like a lot for Hachimura. But after seeing what role players were going for on Thursday, it is probably smart that the Lakers jumped the gun and make the trade when they did.
Hachimura has been solid in his limited time spent with the Lakers and he could be even better with a more cohesive roster around him.
3. Lakers trade Thomas Bryant to Nuggets
- Full details of Thomas Bryant trade: Lakers receive Nuggets’ 2025, 2026 and 2029 second-round picks; Nuggets receive Thomas Bryant
Nobody was expecting Thomas Bryant to be traded by the Lakers but alas, it was the first move the team made on Thursday morning. Los Angeles was able to replenish the picks it sent out for Hachimura, which is exceptional value for 30+ games of an average center.
Bryant reportedly wanted a bigger role and essentially demanded a trade and with that in mind, the Lakers made out like bandits. This is especially true considering the trade that they swung right after dealing Bryant to Denver.
2. Lakers trade for Mo Bamba from Magic
- Full details of Mo Bamba trade: Lakers receive Mo Bamba; Magic receive Patrick Beverley, future second-round pick
After getting three second-round picks from the Denver Nuggets for Thomas Bryant, the Lakers went and flipped Patrick Beverley’s expiring and only one second-round pick for Mo Bamba.
All things considered, this is a massive win for Los Angeles. Bryant has the higher ceiling right now but Bamba fits what this team needs more. He is a discount version of Myles Turner that can space the floor on offense while protecting the rim (something Bryant did not do) on defense.
Los Angeles got a younger center that is under contract for one more year (non-guaranteed) and fits on this roster far better. And they got two extra draft picks out of it. That is a win if I have ever seen one.
1. Lakers trade Russell Westbrook
- Full details of Russell Westbrook trade: Lakers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt; Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick (top-4 protected), Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones; Timberwolves receive Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2024 second-round pick (less favorable of Grizzlies and Wizards, via Lakers), 2025 and 2026 second-round picks (via Jazz).
There was no other trade that could have ranked first on this list. This is the trade that fans have been begging for since last offseason. Rob Pelinka found a way to not only offload Russell Westbrook but do so in a great package that did not cost very much.
D’Angelo Russell is being a bit overhyped by fans now that he is back in LA as he does present some of the same issues that Westbrook does as a ball-dominant guard that does not defend. That being said, the Lakers were able to get something for Westbrook, adding an influx of youth to a roster that desperately needed it.
Lakers fans should thank DeAndre Jordan for overpriced Thomas Bryant trade
The Los Angeles Lakers traded Thomas Bryant at a premium price and fans can thank DeAndre Jordan for being such a bad backup in Denver.
Will this trade win the Lakers a championship this season? Probably not. Does it give them a better chance while setting themselves up for next season? Absolutely.