Lakers’ Rob Pelinka Vows to Reload Around LeBron James, Luka Doncic After Painful Exit

Lakers head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka isn’t backing down from the vision. Despite a first-round playoff exit and questions about the roster’s fit, Pelinka made it clear in his postseason address: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves remain the team’s foundation heading into next season.

“I think LeBron is going to have high expectations for the roster,” Pelinka told reporters, via Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sports. “And we’re going to do whatever we can to meet them.”

That includes shoring up a frontcourt that was left vulnerable after a bold deadline move sent Anthony Davis packing in exchange for Doncic.

“When you make a huge trade at the deadline where you trade your starting center for a point guard, of course that’s going to create significant issues with the roster,” Pelinka said. “We saw some of those play out. One of our primary goals is going to be to add size to our frontcourt at the center position.”

Pelinka acknowledged that the team felt like it was “trying to build an airplane in the sky” after the trade, and now plans to spend the offseason retooling the roster — starting with defensive help on the wings and, above all, a capable big man to anchor the paint.

And while critics have questioned Doncic’s defense — ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins went as far as calling him “the worst defensive star we’ve seen in the modern era” — Pelinka showed no signs of concern. In fact, he appeared energized about the long-term vision.

He called Doncic a centerpiece and said the Lakers are excited to “build around Luka moving forward.”

If Pelinka is right and the summer does become a whirlwind of player movement, expect the Lakers to be in the middle of it. And expect their front office to chase solutions that better complement a superstar duo that didn’t quite click in time.

Because for all the chatter, the expectations aren’t going anywhere. Not with LeBron still in the building. Not with Luka under the spotlight. And not in L.A.

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