A lot of Los Angeles Lakers fans will be frustrated with the team after a trade deadline that felt like the bare minimum. Those emotions are valid, and the idea here won't be to dismiss them entirely. Perhaps some comfort can be found by looking over at the Miami Heat, though.
The Lakers did one single trade at this deadline. They acquired Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks after sending out Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick. It's not the most inspiring move in the world, but it did allow Los Angeles to maintain the same goals they have continually preached about while also improving the rotation.
What did the Heat do? Nothing.
They sat pat and frustrated their fanbase beyond a point of being inconsolable. They were allegedly in on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, you know, because Miami loves to say they are always chasing stars (and then never actually materialize one). It's a classic act, and one that is quickly becoming exhausting for Heat fans.
Rob Pelinka is certainly flirting with that same type of frustrating boiling over in Los Angeles. However, things have yet to reach those types of doomsday levels. Although, the Lakers president would be wise to not let them slip any further.
Pat Riley is not the example Rob Pelinka should want to follow in Los Angeles
Pat Riley is a legend in many ways around the NBA. His latest years have not been kind to his reputation or franchise.
The illusion of chasing stars has already been discussed. Watching Jimmy Butler get ran out of town did not paint a pretty picture either. Failing to do anything at all at the 2026 NBA trade deadline only furthers the growing list of problems in Miami.
genuinely, what incentive are you giving fans to care about this team?
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) February 5, 2026
NBA analyst Nekias Duncan asked a very worthwhile question about the Heat franchise following the unremarkable deadline day. What reasons are their fans being given to care?
Pelinka's track record is not perfect, but hey, the Lakers did recently land a (giftwrapped) Luka Doncic under his tenure. That's something.
Honing in on that moment for a second, many Lakers fans believe Pelinka is not a good general manager because his successes are circumstantial and not self-created. The opportunity to shake that perception will be this offseason.
It has been said over and over that Los Angeles is staying opportunistic, maintaining financial freedom, and trying to retool around Doncic this summer. That right there will be the point of no return.
Pelinka needs to deliver. If this summer turns out to be anything less than a needed reset, pitchforks will be at the doors of Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers have not sunk to the Heat's level of inaction and disappointment just yet. Being productive during the summer will firmly spare them from that point of no return.