Getty Lonzo Ball during a game against the Boston Celtics in October 2025
Despite the Los Angeles Lakers long being expected to operate as buyers ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, that perception has begun to shift in recent days.
The team’s failure to land several high-profile targets is now being framed less as missed opportunity and more as a reflection of general manager Rob Pelinka’s broader philosophy, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Rather than forcing short-term upgrades, Pelinka appears increasingly wary of sacrificing long-term financial flexibility.
That caution is tied to the Lakers’ projected offseason outlook,
Our editorial team includes several staff writers, each contributing their specialized knowledge to enhance the depth and breadth of our event and story coverage.