There is an everyday, almost hourly topic of conversation fixated on who the purple and gold might target for a trade amid a season where the pressure is indeed on Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. He refrained from making any significant moves last season and this past offseason. There were reasons that likely led to his decision to stand pat: low trade value, for instance, regarding some of his own players. However, that can’t be an excuse this season, and Pelinka must figure out a path around that.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Has No Excuses Amid Low Trade Value Issue
Three Players Carrying Little Trade Value as February Approaches
It’s a matter of fact that the players the Lakers are dangling out there for trade consideration are low on the value spectrum. D’Angelo Russell‘s value is especially low, as it was last year when Pelinka tried to move him mid-season and then again this past summer. The attempts to trade D’Lo fell flat, obviously, but the former All-Star is back on the market with a familiar tag attached that reads “low value.” Is it entirely on Pelinka that he hasn’t successfully traded Russell? Not entirely, because Russell hasn’t helped in any way, either. If you look at his lack of production so far this season, it’s understandable why he carries such low value. His last two playoff performances add to the troubles.
It’s not only D’Lo that likely carries low trade value going into the NBA’s forthcoming trade deadline in February. Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt are not providing teams with any reason to take either back in a trade for different reasons, yes, but nevertheless. In Vincent’s case, he’s simply not playing well and underperforming significantly. His defense has, at times, been aggressive and helpful, yes. However, his offensive, specifically his three-point shooting and scoring contribution, have completely fallen off since his days with the Miami Heat. He’s averaging 3.9 points and shooting a dismal 27.9% from three. In almost 20 minutes a game, he should be scoring much more.
Vanderbilt’s situation is different, given his lengthy absence due to injury recovery in his feet. Vanderbilt hasn’t played a minute since last February, and his current timetable for return is still largely unknown. His inability to get healthy, stay healthy, and play meaningful minutes in the previous two seasons has to make other teams nervous.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Low on Assets
Overall, the trade assets Pelinka has available to him are nothing to get too excited about if you’re another team the Lakers want to negotiate with. One could argue that their two first-round draft picks (2029, 2031) carry more value than any current player on the roster. Of course, that’s leaving out LeBron James and Anthony Davis because they’re off the table. The only two players that carry value are Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, but they seem off the table due to the Lakers eyeing each player as a long-term piece. It’s also highly doubtful that the Lakers would trade away Dalton Knecht.
Pelinka also has three first-round pick swaps (2026, 2028, 2030) on top of the two first-round picks. Several second-round picks (2025, 2027, 2030, 2031) are also there.
The pressure is on the Lakers front office to pull a trigger or two in the coming weeks. Pelinka escaped last year standing still. He can’t repeat that same mistake two years in a row. Low trade value clouding his players or not, Pelinka must figure it out to improve this roster—no excuses.
