The Los Angeles Lakers are more interested in next season than they are in this season. That's a little odd, considering they are currently 32-19, but their lack of moves at the trade deadline signal a franchise already looking toward the future.
Of course, there is a reason for that. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the prize that Rob Pelinka has his eyes on. The Lakers will have a semi-realistic shot at landing him this summer — if he's actually itching to leave Milwaukee, an agreed-upon truth that has been cast into doubt after the trade deadline.
But what if that doesn't materialize; in that case, the Lakers (who will be essentially the only competitive team with cap space to spare this summer) will need to change course. Signing Austin Reaves is priority No. 2. Figuring out the LeBron James situation is next, but his departure also feels like the worst-kept secret in the league.
Is there a plan after that? Because this team is operating with the future in mind — and Luka Doncic plus Austin Reaves is a great start — but we probably shouldn't assume the future is going to fall into this team's lap.
Lakers need a backup plan if they can't land Giannis Antetokounmpo
Cap space isn't going to win this team and games in 2026-27 — or in any other year. It's great to have, of course, but it also puts more pressure on Rob Pelinka to build a contender right now. With the volatility of the modern NBA, teams are under more pressure than ever to capitalize on their window, because it will probably close faster than they think.
There were players available at this deadline who would have made major differences in the back half of the season in LA. Pelinka decided to stick with the roster he has and enter the summer with money to spend. That's nice — but if it's not spent in the right way, then all of this would end up being pointless, and the Lakers may have punted on their best chance at a title for no real reason.
About five teams are all putting the future of their franchises on Giannis's shoulders. But only one will enter next season with him on the roster. If it's not the Lakers, there better be a really good combination of players to make up for the lack of a Greek Freak.
Would Andrew Wiggins excite fans? John Collins? Mitchell Robinson?
Better yet, is there a path to contention with the free agents who will be available in a few months? For Pelinka, who seems to be putting the future of the Lakers into what happens this summer, there kind of has to be.