LOS ANGELES -- Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Thursday that the organization achieved its top three offseason goals as it transitions out of the LeBron James era and seeks to build a contender around Luka Doncic.
"We wanted to retain Austin Reaves," Pelinka said in a joint news conference with Lakers coach JJ Redick as the team prepares for the 2026-27 season. "We wanted to find a way to acquire a franchise center. And then we wanted to develop a roster of JJ Redick-[approved] dribble, pass and shoot players that were younger to add depth to our roster."
Though Pelinka and the Lakers absorbed some criticism for their willingness to part with multiple future draft picks and hand out several lucrative long-term contracts this summer, he expressed confidence that Doncic's overhauled supporting cast would be "a group of players that our fans are going to be really proud to watch."
"This is an incredibly high-character group of young players that care about each other already and care about playing the game the right way," Pelinka said.