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Chris Mannix: "I've got a story coming, I think it's going to come out next week, where as kind of a preview, like Rob Pelinka told me like about the roster, basically it's a work in progress. He doesn't look at this roster as being a finished product, which I think is a fair assessment because they are missing some things. I think they're missing more size, a backup to Walker Kessler. I think they're missing the usual three and D guys. Like they don't really, I mean Quentin Grimes, I saw his stuff, he wants to get back to being whatever aggressive defender he once was. I'm not sure I think that's possible, or at least not the level they they need. But they are flawed."
Rob Pelinka: "It gave JJ and I a chance to really hone in on what our fundamental thesis was to accomplish this offseason. We really wanted to do three things: keep Austin Reaves, we wanted to acquire a franchise center, and then we wanted to retrofit the team with depth and youth of dribble-pass-and-shoot players in free agency to complement Luka Doncic as our leader. We were able to accomplish those things."
Rob Pelinka: "I feel like we are co-creators with him, because he is a very creative basketball mind. Ultimately, I have the final responsibility to make calls on the roster and Luka is very clear like, 'I want you to do your job. I don't want to be the GM, I don't want to be the head coach. JJ, you are the coach, Rob, you are the GM and president. Do your jobs.' But we can co-create. Let's share ideas, let's break down pros and cons and look at all aspects of a potential decision point before we make it."
Then came some humming and hawing. A bit of honesty, A tacit acknowledgement that as of now, the Lakers are still nipping at the heels of the West’s juggernauts, ie, the Spurs and Thunder. “As [Lakers coach] JJ Redick pointed out, there’s no off-season where you can check every single box you’re hoping to check,” Rob Pelinka said. “But we felt like the major ones we did, and the work continues. But we feel like we’re on the path of being a really competitive championship-level team.” Being on the path is far from the front door. But that’s when things got interesting. Redick had a different take. He spoke into microphone, unprompted. “I’m confident we’re going to develop as a team into a championship-level team this year,” Redick said.
Even with the sale pending, and the Buss family drama surrounding their potential sale still looming, Pelinka noted nothing has tangibly changed in terms of the franchise’s day-to-day operations. “We’re operating with Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said. “We’re continuing to build out a world-class front office. Proud of the people we’ve added, incredibly proud of the energy we’ve had upstairs. We’re super excited about the people upstairs, the coaching staff, the support staff, the roster. Nothing’s changed day-to-day.”
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Dave McMenamin: Rob Pelinka says that Lakers rookie Cameron Carr is an "extraordinary talent" and has already showed some chemistry playing on the same team with Luka Doncic during pickup runs
Dave McMenamin: Rob Pelinka addresses currently having 16 players on the roster, but only being allowed to carry to 15 come opening night. He said that this could create more competition in camp and the team can still pursue 2-for-1 "consolidation" trades in the meantime
Mike Trudell: Rob Pelinka said Luka Dončić is the “world’s greatest offensive player” and cited the importance of collaborating with him to shape the roster in part on what fits well with him.
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Dave McMenamin: Rob Pelinka opens up his preseason comments by thanking LeBron James for his time with the franchise: "It was a great era and we're grateful for it." Pelinka called James' departure "amicable" and that all communication between the Lakers and James' camp were "respectful" before LAL was informed James would be leaving.
Law Murray: Pelinka: "Walker Kessler makes Luka better. He makes Austin better and vice versa. So it's just the perfect fit. And, we didn't see any opportunity like that coming down the pike anytime soon."