Following a first-round playoff exit that exposed significant flaws in their roster construction, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is setting clear priorities for the offseason, starting with size in the paint and perimeter defense.
“One of our primary goals is going to be to add size in the frontcourt at the center position,” Pelinka said. “When you make a huge trade at the deadline where you trade your starting center for a point guard, of course, that’s gonna create a significant issue with the roster, and we saw some of those play out.”
The loss of a true interior anchor proved costly. Rudy Gobert dominated Game 5 of the Lakers’ series against the Timberwolves with 27 points and 24 rebounds, highlighting Los Angeles’ struggles to defend the paint and rebound effectively.
Compounding the issue was the team’s failed attempt to acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. The deal collapsed due to a failed physical, leaving Los Angeles without a viable replacement for the traded Anthony Davis heading into the postseason.
“There’s NBA rules that prohibit us from speaking to a particular transaction,” Pelinka said, “but I’ll say in general it’s very clear and it was clear then when we spoke to it that this team and this roster needs more size and needs a center position.”
When asked what traits the front office would prioritize in a new big man, Pelinka emphasized a combination of rim protection and verticality.
“I think in terms of center traits, it would be great to have a center that was a vertical threat, lob threat and someone that could protect the interior defensively,” he said. “But there’s multiple different types of centers that could be very effective in the league. There’s also spread centers that can protect the rim. We’ll look at those as well. I wouldn’t want to limit the archetype, but we know we need a big man.”
Size wasn’t the Lakers’ only problem. Pelinka also pointed to a lack of defensive depth on the wings, which limited head coach JJ Redick’s rotation in the playoffs.
“I think just solidifying our defensive core on the wings and just making sure that we have players that can defend the wing position,” he said. “That’s an essential need; we see it playing out in the playoffs.”
The Lakers relied heavily on Gabe Vincent as the only trusted backup guard or wing, but Vincent struggled to make an impact, shooting just 35.7% from the field and 30.8% from three. Jordan Goodwin showed promise in limited minutes after a G League call-up, but was too inexperienced to help in the postseason.
The challenge for Pelinka and his front office lies not just in identifying the needs but also in navigating the complex financial realities that surround the Lakers’ offseason. Los Angeles is facing a tight cap sheet and limited flexibility. The team has over $40 million in expiring contracts (including Rui Hachimura, Vincent, and Maxi Kleber) but only one future first-round pick outright (2031 or 2032), plus a 2030 pick swap.
That means free-agent signings will likely be limited to minimum or midlevel exceptions, while trades will require strategic packaging of contracts and creative structuring to bring in impactful talent.
“We have multiple free agents, too — obviously, those questions will get answered in July and August,” Pelinka said. “But we know we have a lot of work to do on the roster and it’ll look different next year, for sure.”
Reflecting on the front office’s in-season moves and the challenges of reshaping the team midflight, Pelinka offered a candid metaphor.
“It’s kind of like trying to build an airplane in the sky,” he said. “And now we get a chance to sort of land that plane, put it in the hangar and really figure out the parts of it that we need to retrofit and change — and that’s what we’ll do. Lots of things to learn.”
As the team prepares for the NBA Combine and offseason roster meetings, Pelinka knows the margin for error is small, but opportunities always exist.
“The one thing we know about the NBA is there’s always new and unexpected opportunities around the corner,” he said. “That’s just the nature of this business and my focus is going to be on that and making sure that next year we have the requisite size to compete for a championship.”
With Dončić leading the way and James still in the fold, Pelinka made clear that the Lakers will reshape the roster with toughness, size, and playoff durability in mind.
