Merriam-Webster defines aggressive as “marked by driving forceful energy or initiative.” Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka defines it a bit differently.
The Lakers made just one small
move at the trade deadline by bringing in Luka Kennard. With the focus on the offseason and maximizing cap space, the Lakers balked at the idea of adding players who would eat into it.
For most, that would not be described as an aggressive approach to the deadline. Pelinka, however, is not most, to say the least. And he delivered one of the most peak-Pelinka quotes he’s ever had when discussing the deadline prior to Saturday’s game against the Warriors.
This one goes up there with finding manna with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and wearing a ridiculous leather jacket to Luka Dončić’s introductory press conference as an all-time moment for Pelinka. “Aggressive in saying no” is just a hilarious spin on doing hardly anything at the deadline.
As Pelinka confirmed, there were talks with other teams, so it’s not like the Lakers’ front office was kicking their feet as the deadline approached. And there were reports that the Lakers were, in fact, shopping Dalton Knecht.
While it might frustrate win-now Lakers fans that they didn’t make a huge splash immediately, Pelinka might’ve done the smarter thing and waited until better options are available.
However, there has to be a way to explain that where I’m not rolling my eyes. That being said, this was also the most on-brand way he could have described the situation as well.
Never change, Rob.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
