Lakers rumor confirms Rob Pelinka is learning from past mistakes on trade front

The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in improving the roster via the trade market. It's a story that could be copied and pasted across any one of Rob Pelinka's seasons with the franchise, with an abundance of major moves in the rearview.

The 2024-25 season has been no exception, with the Lakers repeatedly mentioned as a team that could be active on the trade front—and a consistent theme emerging from the reports.

Los Angeles entered the 2024-25 season with a nearly identical roster to the team it rolled out in 2023-24. That's inevitably resulted in the widespread belief that Pelinka will look for trades that help the team take the next step toward contending.

In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Lakers continue to scour the trade market for upgrades at center.

One could argue that not much has changed on the trade front for the Lakers, but Pelinka remaining patient in pursuit of the perfect fit is a welcome sign of growth.

Lakers hope to trade for a center, but remain patient in their search

The reports of the Lakers' desire to improve at center have been omnipresent throughout the offseason and regular season alike. As such, Charania's information is more of a confirmation of the status quo.

The fact that the Lakers haven't yet identified a specific player to go all-in on may be disappointing, but it's also to be expected in November.

It was previously reported by Jovan Buha of The Athletic that the Lakers are more likely to complete a trade in January or February. At the moment, leverage is with the teams that are selling high rather than those that are attempting to buy low.

That's a direct result of the fact that the postseason picture is too far from settled for teams to accept their current trajectories as definite.

With this in mind, the Lakers are likely to hold off on a trade until one becomes mutually beneficial. That may be difficult for some to stomach, but it's a sign that Pelinka and the Lakers have learned from past mistakes and are looking to be more cautious with what they give up in potential trades.

That's a positive change of pace from when Los Angeles parted with first-round draft picks for Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook, only to lose both within a season-and-a-half.

It's obviously possible that Pelinka will need to give up another first-round draft pick in a potential trade for the ideal center. Taking his time as he evaluates his options is something fans should be happy about, however, especially as the team plays at a postseason-caliber level.

The only question facing Pelinka moving forward is whether or not his patience will lead him to the ideal player to transform the Lakers into the team he's hoping they can become.