Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka expressed strong confidence in the team’s current roster ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Pelinka emphasized the importance of continuity, particularly following a season in which the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals.
“JJ and I talk a lot about the roster, and both of us in our partnership have a really strong belief in the 15 players on this team,” Pelinka said, via Dan Woike of Los Angeles Times.
Pelinka believes that maintaining core players and adding key pieces like Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt will significantly impact the Lakers.
“We didn’t have Gabe Vincent or Vando last year for whole seasons. If you add two players like that, there’s a delta there,” Pelinka remarked.
He acknowledged the challenges of overhauling a roster but stressed that continuity can lead to success.
Pelinka also highlighted the potential for internal growth among players such as Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
“There’s going to be internal growth. We’re going to see increased capacity, increased on-ball stuff from Austin Reaves. There’s going to be growth from him and Rui,” Pelinka said, confident in the young players’ abilities to step up.
Both players are expected to take on expanded roles and develop further under Redick’s leadership.
“We have a high level of confidence in this group,” Pelinka reiterated during the press conference, expressing faith in the roster’s abilities.
He mentioned that Redick would focus on developing players’ on-ball skills, particularly Reaves, who is poised for a bigger role this season.
The Lakers are coming off a 47-35 record and a second consecutive appearance in the NBA Playoffs.
Despite falling to the Denver Nuggets in the first round, Pelinka sees opportunities for improvement.
He expressed optimism about how the team would perform with a full season from Vincent and Vanderbilt, who missed significant time last year.
