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Lakers GM admits he is building the team to beat the Warriors

By Rucker Haringey

People photograph a mural of LeBron James in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey in Venice, California on July 9, 2018. - It was originally revealed July 6, 2018, and then vandalized over the weekend, and re-touched up again with the word "of" not repainted from the original words "the King of LA". Artists Jonas Never and Menso One painted the mural to welcome LeBron James to Los Angeles, outside the Baby Blues BBQ resturant in Venice, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
People photograph a mural of LeBron James in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey in Venice, California on July 9, 2018. - It was originally revealed July 6, 2018, and then vandalized over the weekend, and re-touched up again with the word "of" not repainted from the original words "the King of LA". Artists Jonas Never and Menso One painted the mural to welcome LeBron James to Los Angeles, outside the Baby Blues BBQ resturant in Venice, California. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Rob Pelinka isn’t pulling any punches on how he wants to build the Lakers. His aim is to construct a team ideally suited to take out the Warriors.

Signing LeBron James was an easy decision for Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers front office. The real challenge is building the right team around the dynamic superstar. To that end, GM Rob Pelinka and the rest of the brain trust in Los Angeles are working to build a roster to combat the Golden State Warriors.

Credit Pelinka for being so transparent. Many NBA executives would have given lip service about how they are working to build the best team they possibly can with no concerns about the competition. Instead, the GM freely admits that acquiring players who can help defeat Golden State is “part of the equation.”

That doesn’t mean the Lakers are trying to sign gunners who can outscore the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. Pelinka, James and Magic Johnson all agree that trying to outscore the Warriors is a fool’s errand. Simply put, you’re not going to beat Golden State at their own game.

Instead, the Lakers are trying to construct a team full of athletes who can guard multiple positions. Specifically, Pelinka is targeting players who can give his team a toughness advantage over the Warriors. Draymond Green likely believes that’s impossible, but he’s hardly an impartial source on the matter.

That line of thinking at least helps explain the curious moves the Lakers made after inking James to a multi-year deal. Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee all have their strengths, but none of that trio is going to help the Lakers outscore anyone. In theory, that collection of long, irritating defenders could throw the Warriors off their game in a playoff series.

Of course, what Pelinka isn’t admitting is that the Lakers are already focused on what this team can look like after next year’s free agency period. The aforementioned trio of free agent signings were all inked to one-year deals. It’s possible they can earn longer contracts, but the team is certainly keeping its options open for the summer of 2019.

Next: NBA Free Agency: 5 most overrated players

Credit the Lakers for trying to take the road less traveled this season, but all bets are off when they have a chance to add another max player next summer. Time will tell if they are still committed to defense and versatility when those big names start to visit Tinseltown.

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