Rob Pelinka is the perfect example of being damned if you do and damned if you donโt.
Yesterday, @Lakers fans were saying he was asleep at the wheel, that he wasnโt aggressive enough, and that the front office had no plan. Less than 24 hours later, the #Lakers reportedly land Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili in a flurry of moves that completely reshape the roster around Luka Donฤiฤ.
Was the price for Walker Kessler steep? Absolutely. But hereโs the reality: when you identify a 24-year-old rim protector who runs the floor, rebounds, blocks shots, and fits perfectly next to Luka, you donโt get him at a discount. Utah had all the leverage, and Pelinka knew that if Kessler was his guy, it was going to cost premium assets. Thatโs the price of solving your biggest roster need.
The bigger picture matters. This wasnโt about winning the transaction. It was about building a roster that actually fits. Kessler gives Luka the vertical lob threat and defensive anchor heโs at his best with. Sexton brings downhill scoring and toughness. Grimes adds two-way versatility on the wing. Mamukelashvili gives the Lakers another skilled frontcourt player with size and shooting.
Fans wanted urgency. Pelinka showed urgency.
You can debate the cost, but you canโt debate the intent. The Lakers identified their weaknesses and attacked them immediately. Thatโs what a President of Basketball Operations is supposed to do. Now itโs on the players and coaching staff to make it work.
#LakeShow
A new big three for the L.A. ๐
Walker Kessler is being acquired by the Lakers from the Utah Jazz and will sign a four-year, $130M deal sources told @ShamsCharania.
FULL TRADE DETAILS:
Lakers receive:
Walker Kessler and are signing him to 4-year, $130M deal
Jazz receive:
2031 1st-round pick
2033 1st-round pick
Two pick swaps
No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the ๐๐ while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint. ๐๐พ๐ซก๐
LeBron came to LA when nobody would knowing the huge void that was left when Kobe retired. Then with covid, with Kobe passingโฆHe gave it his all & delivered a championship in the toughest years possible for Laker fans & I could not be more grateful for that. Thank you.
This was the moment for me that Iโll never forget. He held it down, carried the torch, and he finished the job.
No one can tell me anything about his Laker tenure. No one.
What a run The King had in L.A. ๐
๐ 8 seasons
๐ 1 NBA championship
๐ Won his 4th Finals MVP
๐ Broke the all-time scoring record
๐ Played with his son Bronny, becoming the first father-son duo to play in the NBA together
(via @ShamsCharania)
BREAKING: LeBron James will continue his NBA career for the 2026-27 season and has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN.
If it really is the end. Thank you @KingJames We won it all the year we lost Kobe. And that shit means something to me.
Would really love to see you in a Laker jersey last tho.
Emma DโArcyโs performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen this season belongs among the greatest performances in the entire Game of Thrones universe.
They deserve every bit of recognition that comes their way, this is the kind of performance that should be celebrated during awards season. Iโm so excited to see more people finally realize just how talented Emma DโArcy truly is. ๐ฅ
#HouseOfTheDragon