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Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka discussed the team’s mindset while navigating through Thursday’s trade deadline.
“I would say we were aggressive,” Pelinka told reporters Saturday. “And one form of being aggressive is saying no to moves that come your way that might not be best for the short- and long-term future, that’s like being aggressive even though you end up doing nothing. Because it’s hard to say no sometimes to getting a good player that could be a quick short-term fix but could have implications for the long-term where it doesn’t fit into the overall vision you have for the team.”
The Lakers made one move at the deadline, sending guard Gabe Vincent and a second-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for sharpshooter Luke Kennard.
“We just felt like the gravity and space he could create for the group with LeBron, or with Luka or Austin,” Pelinka told reporters regarding Kennard. “Just being a reliable guy that can create space, hit big shots in big games and really help us on a playoff run. When you get to add the best shooter in the game to your group at the deadline, it’s a great opportunity. So, we seized it”
Pelinka was also excited about the versatility that Kennard should give Los Angeles’ rotation, envisioning lineups with him and Rui Hachimura alongside LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Pelinka additionally stressed the importance of staying flexible in order to potentially pursue players that could be in line for a change of scenery with their respective teams attempting to avoid apron penalties.
Los Angeles also has the opportunity to be active on the buyout market as it attempts to climb further up the Western Conference standings.
The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported Friday that wing Haywood Highsmith is a “player of interest” for the Lakers, while guard Cam Thomas is considered a “more polarizing option.”
Highsmith has yet to play during his 2025-26 campaign due to knee issues, but is a career 37.4 percent three-point shooter and has 35 playoff games under his belt.
Thomas has also been troubled by a hamstring strain, but averaged 22.9 points per game on 44.1/35.9/86.4 shooting splits across two seasons from 2023-25 and could provide more scoring off the bench.
For now, Los Angeles will move forward with Kennard in its rotation.
He projects as a strong offensive fit next to Dončić and James considering his long-distance accuracy, as he’s connected on a league-leading 49.7 percent of his triples this season.
Kennard also averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 20.5 minutes per game with the Hawks prior to the swap.
The Lakers currently own the No. 5 seed in the West, boasting a 31-19 record.