Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka may be very busy very soon.
As his team struggles to rise in the standings, there are many people saying Pelinka needs to make a large splash and commit to a trade that turns LA’s fate around.
According to Anthony Irwin, via NBACentral, Pelinka is expected to “check on” Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards on December 15 when he becomes eligible for a trade.
Valanciunas has been on the Lakers’ radar for some time, but will Pelinka be able to get a deal done?
Rob Pelinka is expected to check on Jonas Valančiūnas in five days, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
“League sources believe Pelinka will check in on the price for Jonas Valanciunas on December 15 when he becomes trade eligible and belief around the league is that the Washington Wizards… pic.twitter.com/1EndddN4yt
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 10, 2024
Irwin says the Wizards will listen to the Lakers, but the deciding factor will be if Pelinka and his team are willing to give up what Washington wants.
They may decide to accept an offer from the Lakers or the Wizards could decide to sit and wait and see if something better comes along for Valanciunas when the trade deadline approaches in February.
On paper, Valanciunas looks like a perfect fit for the Lakers.
He is averaging 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game so far in 2024-25 and could be a huge help for the Lakers’ lacking frontcourt.
The team has been bothered by injuries to their big men since the start of the season, and Valanciunas could fill a very problematic hole.
However, Washington knows this, and they have the advantage of being a weak team with no rush.
They can sit and wait for the perfect deal in return for Valanciunas, and they won’t rush into anything unless it really sounds good to them.
The Lakers might want Valanciunas, but do they want him enough to convince the Wizards to let him go?
NEXT: Kendrick Perkins Reveals What His Sources Are Telling Him About LeBron James
