The Los Angeles Lakers have completed the first of what most expect to be at least two trades in 2024-25. With Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton adding a necessary dose of depth, defense, and shooting, it's fair to argue that Los Angeles is one step closer to consistency.
The need remains, however, for an upgrade at center, primarily to assist with the Lakers' well-documented issues in the areas of defensive rebounding and post defense.
With the trade deadline mere weeks away, the time for Los Angeles to make a meaningful trade is dwindling. That polarizing reality has ultimately beckoned the question of what it is that the Lakers are waiting for.
According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, the reason the Lakers haven't yet completed a trade for a backup big man is the desire to see how Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent play together.
"Instead of rushing into a deal for a backup big man, the Lakers do have a real desire to see what their second unit looks like once Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are on the court together—something that happened just once a season ago."
It's an understandable and logical approach to the situation, but there's an element of risk that the Lakers must acknowledge.
Lakers waiting to see how Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent coexist
Putting everything else aside, it's hard to disagree with Pelinka wanting to see what the duo of Vanderbilt and Vincent can bring to the Lakers. He paid them a combined $81 million in 2023 and has thus far been unable to make a meaningful evaluation.
Vanderbilt has missed all but 29 games since the start of the 2023-24 season, while Vincent appeared in just 11 games a season ago.
For as understandable as it is, the harsh reality is that Vanderbilt still hasn't returned from injury and the Lakers don't have all that many games left until they must decide on a trade. Even if Vanderbilt were to debut during Los Angeles' next game on Jan. 7, and Vincent were to return from his own injury, only 15 games would remain before the deadline.
Accounting for both players likely needing time to get back to 100 percent, that puts the Lakers in the range of 10 games before a franchise-altering decision is made.
In a perfect world, Vanderbilt would've returned sooner and the Lakers could've spent significant time exploring the potential of a potentially excellent defensive pairing. Instead, they'll be forced to rush a judgment call that could determine whether or not they improve in another area of weakness.
No matter how logical it may be to give Vanderbilt and Vincent a chance to play up to their respective contracts, the unavoidable reality is that there's just as much to lose as there is to gain.
Perhaps Vanderbilt and Vincent will thrive over a full 15-game period and set the stage for continued success moving forward. It's also within the realm of possibility that injuries will resurface, as they have over each of the past two seasons, or that they simply won't play as well as needed.
Fingers are crossed that the Lakers will make the right decision, but the rumored approach is as dangerous as it is logical.