LOS ANGELES – Having already made a big move two and a half weeks before the NBA trade deadline to get through Roy Hashimura From the Washington Wizards on Monday, Los Angeles Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka continues to stress the urgency of upgrading the roster.
“[We] “I felt like it was an opportunity for us to strike early and fill a need in a market that’s proving to be a bit sluggish,” Pelinka said before the Lakers lost 133-115 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, joining Hachimura on a preseason lead. Press Conference ” [it] Not that our work is over: we will continue to monitor the situation with the other 29 teams. …
“Our job as a front office is always to look to improve our squad now and in the future, and we felt Roy was the perfect way to do that, which is why we started attacking early.”
Pelinka was asked if the Lakers’ pursuit of additional trades leading up to the February 9 trade deadline would include parting ways with the franchise’s 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks in order to complete the deal. Los Angeles was able to hang on to those two picks in the Wizards’ trade, and serve it up Kendrick Nunn And three future second-round picks for Washington.
“I think the Lakers’ calculation is whether or not they win a championship,” Pelinka said. “There is no intermediate growth or incremental increase.” “So as we analyze chances, we have to do it through that lens. And I said this at the start of the season, if there’s a chance to get to the finish line and win the championship, there’s no resource we’ll hold on to if we feel that there is.”
Part of that commitment to competition is paid LeBron Jamesnow in his 20th season, signed a two-year extension with the Lakers in the offseason – pledging the twilight of his start to the franchise while still eager to add to his four career titles.
“The thing that is totally unwise is to take a shot early and not get it later when you have a better championship move to make,” Pelinka continued. “That’s a really accurate calculation and something in the whole front office, we’re evaluating with all the moves. If we see a move that puts us ahead to get another championship here, 18th championship here, we’ll make it. And if it doesn’t show that move, we’ll be smart and do it later. “.
Pelinka has also continued to distance himself from his previous stance on front office decision-making, making it clear that responsibility for every decision rests in his lap — even as he seeks input from team leaders in James W. Anthony Davis.
“I think LeBron said that very well in the press conference last night when he said, ‘My job is to play basketball. The front office job is to do their job and build a list. And the coach [Darvin] An important task is training. I agree with that, Pelinka said. “We all have to do our jobs, do them with excellence, and be all together. This is how we work and we will continue to work.”
Hashimura, 24, has had career averages of 13.0 points on 47.9% shooting and 5.1 rebounds in four seasons with Washington since being placed ninth at Gonzaga in 2019.
Born in Toyama, Japan, Hashimura is the first Japanese-born player in Lakers history.
“I am very excited about this opportunity,” Hashimura said on Tuesday. “Of course, the Lakers are one of the greatest organizations. I’m so happy to be a part of this family, and I’m so excited to be back in Los Angeles.”
“It’s funny that when I was in college, I came here for college games…and I used to joke about how this would be my home. So, it’s cool that it’s really happening now.”
Hachimura boarded a flight to Los Angeles on Monday and began the boarding process at the Lakers’ training facility at 6 a.m. Tuesday, completing a physical and a meeting with the team’s staff and coaches.
Hamm said he will be available to play Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. He will wear number 28.
“I’ve always admired him,” Hamm said. “Just a multi-faceted, strong, athletic, skilful young player, I am really excited to have the opportunity to add him to our ball club. I think he will achieve a lot.”
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”