Rob Pelinka Said He Needed 30 Games to Evaluate the Lakers Roster. It's Now Decision Time.

Before the season started, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka discussed the team's lack of activity and noted that while they're always interested in improving at any time, at this point he'd need a little time to assess. “I think that’s really a question that I think we’ll have a better sense on after 30 games,” Pelinka said. Well, after LA's 115-113 win over Golden State on Christmas, the Lakers officially hit that 30 game threshold. And according to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Lakers are in fact open to a deal... but have some parameters in mind. "They want a player or players that they feel can get into this iteration of this team now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis but can also play for three, four, five more years under JJ Redick as the coach," Shams said. So at 17-13, does Pelinka have a good idea now of where they are and what they need? Is it any different than anything that folks noted before the start of the year? Are the chips the team has for a deal—and the impact trading certain players might have—substantively changed? Has the context around trade-making shifted in the era of a new CBA? The answer to the first probably depends on the eye of the beholder—though shifting D'Angelo Russell to the bench while inserting Max Christie is significant, as is the fact that Jarred Vanderbilt still hasn't returned, but at the same time the roster has basically been the same for two years—but hat last one might end up to be the most significant question. It's very hard to know at this point whether the trade market will be favorable to the Lakers or not. Guys like Miami's Jimmy Butler and Chicago's Zach LaVine are on the market, but will be exceedingly hard to trade in part because of how large their contracts are, and the limited number of teams that might even be interested in them to begin with. Combined with the report that the Lakers want a player/players that fit now and down the road (I mean, sure, why wouldn't they), are the Lakers setting themselves up to be players, or are they actually creating the structure by which they'll again do nothing? The most challenging moment for Pelinka won't be an opportunity that neatly fits this transactional ideal, but one that doesn't. Say the Lakers can't acquire a player who helps them down the road, but one that would definitively improve them now? What does Pelinka do? Since the Russell Westbrook deal went so wildly (and predictably) wrong, it's felt like the Lakers have been afraid to make bold and decisive moves. But the lesson of the Russ deal shouldn't have been "don't make big trades," but "don't make obviously stupid trades." The time is coming for the Lakers to fish or cut bait on the roster they have. Or, failing that, to be as good as they can be to round out the LeBron James Era, without sacrificing the future. --BK Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com . Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Skylight Frames We've got the perfect gift for you! Skylight Frame is the touchscreen digital photo frame your whole family will love. As a special, limited-time offer for our listeners, get $20 OFF your purchase of a Skylight Frame when you go to SkylightFrame.com/NBA . BILT Rewards Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/lockedonnba . Rocket RX Right now, our listeners can get 40% off your first order when you use code LOCKEDONNBA at RocketRX.com . Terms and Conditions apply. Rocket RX: Better sex, made simple. Robinhood Robinhood Gold provides the privileges of a high net worth for any net worth. These generous benefits are now available for only $5/month. The new Gold Standard is here with Robinhood Gold. Sign up at robinhood.com/gold . Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel The NFL Playoffs are almost here, but it’s not too late to get in on the regular season action with FanDuel because right now, new customers can finish the season strong with TWO HUNDRED and FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins.Visit FANDUEL.COM t o get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.