Pelinka touts post-LeBron overhaul as Lakers reset around Luka

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.

After James ended his eight-year run in Los Angeles by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, the Lakers re-signed Reaves to a four-year, $184.7 million contract and acquired 7-foot-2 center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Utah Jazz.

To secure their starting center, the Lakers signed Kessler to a four-year, $130 million contract and sent two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Jazz. As a result, the Lakers no longer have full control of their first-round pick until 2032.

Pelinka said that Kessler, who played only five games last season because of left shoulder surgery, was worth the hefty investment in money and assets because he is a "perfect fit" with Doncic and Reaves.

"Twenty-five-year-old two-way centers that are retrofitted perfectly for our two max guys in Luka and Austin don't exist," he said. "There's a scarcity of supply. If you look at what you could potentially get in the draft, or what is potentially going to come in free agency, those centers just don't exist. When the opportunity comes and you have a superstar like Luka in your building, you have to seize it. We feel very comfortable and confident about that decision and what we put into it."

To build around their new core trio of Doncic, Reaves and Kessler, the Lakers signed Quentin Grimes (four years, $60 million), Sandro Mamukelashvili (four years, $52 million) and Collin Sexton (two years, $19 million). Grimes and Mamukelashvili were among a short list of role players who landed four-year contracts during this summer's free agency, as many teams favored shorter agreements.

"The market is the market," Redick said. "Some guys' markets are multiyear deals. Some guys' markets are short-term deals. If you want to get a player, you've got to pay the market."

With so many new faces coming in, the Lakers said goodbye to James and veterans Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes over the summer. Redick noted that two of the five spots in his starting lineup remain up for grabs after the whirlwind summer.

Pelinka said that the Lakers, who were the NBA's fifth-oldest team last season, made it a priority to reset their timeline around the 27-year-old Doncic, who is taking the reins from the 41-year-old James. Reaves is 28, while Kessler, Grimes, Mamukelashvili and Sexton are all 27 or younger. Backup center Kevon Looney is the only player on the roster who is 30 or older.

The Lakers, who won 53 games and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals last season, are seeking their seventh playoff appearance in the past eight seasons. Redick said the team held a minicamp in Las Vegas and traveled to Slovenia for a tour of Doncic's home country to help build camaraderie.

"The one thing I've seen in the last six or seven years in the NBA is that the best teams are the most connected teams," Redick said. "I really believe this group is going to be connected from Day 1, and they already are."