Jovan Buha: I’ve heard in my quick conversations with multiple people around the organization that a ‘small move’ is still in play. Maxi Kleber
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Rob Pelinka acknowledged the Lakers’ need for a big man yesterday morning.
Nearly 36 hours later, the Lakers filled that need, trading for Mark Williams to fortify their interior presence:
ocregister.com/2025/02/05/lak… – 1:00 AM
Rob Pelinka acknowledged the Lakers’ need for a big man yesterday morning.
Nearly 36 hours later, the Lakers filled that need, trading for Mark Williams to fortify their interior presence:
ocregister.com/2025/02/05/lak… – 1:00 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’ve been among Rob Pelinka’s most vocal critics over the years. He’s had a hell of a deadline.
Would love to see them turn a bit more of their offense into defense. Rui is the obvious guy that comes to mind here, given his salary. But they’re moving in the right direction. – 12:45 AM
I’ve been among Rob Pelinka’s most vocal critics over the years. He’s had a hell of a deadline.
Would love to see them turn a bit more of their offense into defense. Rui is the obvious guy that comes to mind here, given his salary. But they’re moving in the right direction. – 12:45 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
The Lakers welcoming Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris at their practice facility pic.x.com/XwgR7pXk50 – 5:21 PM
The Lakers welcoming Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris at their practice facility pic.x.com/XwgR7pXk50 – 5:21 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
The Los Angeles Lakers are optimistic about Luka Doncic being cleared to debut on Saturday
Fellow European arrival from the blockbuster trade, Maxi Kleber to be re-evaluated in eight weeks
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:56 AM
The Los Angeles Lakers are optimistic about Luka Doncic being cleared to debut on Saturday
Fellow European arrival from the blockbuster trade, Maxi Kleber to be re-evaluated in eight weeks
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/17… – 3:56 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Here’s a summary of the massive acquisition of Luka Doncic, with quotes from Luka, Rob Pelinka and LeBron/Luka teammate Markieff Morris from this morning’s presser:
nba.com/lakers/news/lu… – 4:57 PM
Here’s a summary of the massive acquisition of Luka Doncic, with quotes from Luka, Rob Pelinka and LeBron/Luka teammate Markieff Morris from this morning’s presser:
nba.com/lakers/news/lu… – 4:57 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Rob Pelinka says L.A.’s urgency to win now is abundant. But the roster needs an upgrade at center. “If there’s not a championship big on the market, I can’t wave a wand and create that opportunity” es.pn/410GSHO – 3:42 PM
New story: Rob Pelinka says L.A.’s urgency to win now is abundant. But the roster needs an upgrade at center. “If there’s not a championship big on the market, I can’t wave a wand and create that opportunity” es.pn/410GSHO – 3:42 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Rob Pelinka comments on Lakers’ trade plans at center following Luka Doncic trade
clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-ro… – 1:52 PM
Rob Pelinka comments on Lakers’ trade plans at center following Luka Doncic trade
clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-ro… – 1:52 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
I asked Rob Pelinka what it means to have Luka Doncic in the fold at 25, and for (hopefully) the next decade, from a long-term planning and roster-building perspective. Here was his response. AK (@LockedOnLakers @ESPNLosAngeles) pic.x.com/mEQdnEm5Xm – 1:20 PM
I asked Rob Pelinka what it means to have Luka Doncic in the fold at 25, and for (hopefully) the next decade, from a long-term planning and roster-building perspective. Here was his response. AK (@LockedOnLakers @ESPNLosAngeles) pic.x.com/mEQdnEm5Xm – 1:20 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Rob Pelinka on what the Lakers are looking for in a center:
“Versatility, mobility, a vertical lob threat, I think that’s a key to the spacing that Luka likes to play with, competitive… Those players are hard to find… But we’ll find a way.”
Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe, Rob – 1:16 PM
Rob Pelinka on what the Lakers are looking for in a center:
“Versatility, mobility, a vertical lob threat, I think that’s a key to the spacing that Luka likes to play with, competitive… Those players are hard to find… But we’ll find a way.”
Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe, Rob – 1:16 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: Anthony Davis was about to watch a movie with his wife Saturday night when he took a call from Rob Pelinka & J.J. Redick, the contents of which stunned him as much as everyone else:
He was being traded for Luka Doncic.
“I was shocked.”
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 1:01 PM
New ESPN story: Anthony Davis was about to watch a movie with his wife Saturday night when he took a call from Rob Pelinka & J.J. Redick, the contents of which stunned him as much as everyone else:
He was being traded for Luka Doncic.
“I was shocked.”
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 1:01 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Rob Pelinka: “I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history … we have a 25-year-old global superstar that is going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe.” – 1:01 PM
Rob Pelinka: “I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history … we have a 25-year-old global superstar that is going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball brand on the globe.” – 1:01 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Maxi Kleber describes his emotions when he learned he and Doncic and Morris were traded. pic.x.com/hzLSqqL2MV – 12:55 PM
Maxi Kleber describes his emotions when he learned he and Doncic and Morris were traded. pic.x.com/hzLSqqL2MV – 12:55 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Rob Pelinka described Luka as a “top 3 player in the universe.” Bold praise indeed. AK – 12:42 PM
Rob Pelinka described Luka as a “top 3 player in the universe.” Bold praise indeed. AK – 12:42 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Rob Pelinka acknowledges the need for a big right now, but also that the current market is “dry” for bigs. It could lead to more of a move around the margins. But either way, they’re thinking about the big picture, and JJ Redick’s vision for how he wants the Lakers to play. AK – 12:28 PM
Rob Pelinka acknowledges the need for a big right now, but also that the current market is “dry” for bigs. It could lead to more of a move around the margins. But either way, they’re thinking about the big picture, and JJ Redick’s vision for how he wants the Lakers to play. AK – 12:28 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Lakers’ Rob Pelinka: “We know our roster has continued work to do to be become complete. … We know we have a need for a big. The market [before the deadline] for a big is very dry.” – 12:27 PM
Lakers’ Rob Pelinka: “We know our roster has continued work to do to be become complete. … We know we have a need for a big. The market [before the deadline] for a big is very dry.” – 12:27 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Rob Pelinka acknowledges the Lakers’ need for a big man, but says the market for one is “dry” right now. – 12:27 PM
Rob Pelinka acknowledges the Lakers’ need for a big man, but says the market for one is “dry” right now. – 12:27 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Rob Pelinka called the market for a big very dry, but added he’s hoping to do something around the margins – 12:27 PM
Rob Pelinka called the market for a big very dry, but added he’s hoping to do something around the margins – 12:27 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Rob Pelinka: “We know our roster has continued work to do to become complete” – 12:26 PM
Rob Pelinka: “We know our roster has continued work to do to become complete” – 12:26 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Rob Pelinka says that the Lakers are incorporating Luka Doncic’s sports performance team into the Lakers’ training staff. Pelinka says Doncic will practice 5-on-5 on Wednesday and he expects him to return from his calf strain in the near future. – 12:25 PM
Rob Pelinka says that the Lakers are incorporating Luka Doncic’s sports performance team into the Lakers’ training staff. Pelinka says Doncic will practice 5-on-5 on Wednesday and he expects him to return from his calf strain in the near future. – 12:25 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Rob Pelinka says the Lakers’ medical staff is working on a return-to-play plan for Luka Doncic.
They have 5-on-5 planned for him tomorrow and his status is considered day-to-day. – 12:24 PM
Rob Pelinka says the Lakers’ medical staff is working on a return-to-play plan for Luka Doncic.
They have 5-on-5 planned for him tomorrow and his status is considered day-to-day. – 12:24 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Rob Pelinka said there is “five on five scheduled for tomorrow” and they’re going to take it one day at a time regarding his calf for return-to-play protocol. – 12:24 PM
Rob Pelinka said there is “five on five scheduled for tomorrow” and they’re going to take it one day at a time regarding his calf for return-to-play protocol. – 12:24 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Luka Doncic has a five-on-five session scheduled for tomorrow and he’s considered day-to-day, per Rob Pelinka – 12:24 PM
Luka Doncic has a five-on-five session scheduled for tomorrow and he’s considered day-to-day, per Rob Pelinka – 12:24 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Luka was asked if he has something to prove.
Rob Pelinka, not so subtly, looks up: “championship.”
Luka: “Yeah, win the championship.” – 12:23 PM
Luka was asked if he has something to prove.
Rob Pelinka, not so subtly, looks up: “championship.”
Luka: “Yeah, win the championship.” – 12:23 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Rob Pelinka says that Luka Doncic has a combination of “basketball joy and killer instinct, which is really rare.” (He also notes that Kobe had the same trait.) AK – 12:17 PM
Rob Pelinka says that Luka Doncic has a combination of “basketball joy and killer instinct, which is really rare.” (He also notes that Kobe had the same trait.) AK – 12:17 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Rob Pelinka said that Luka has a rare “Combination of basketball joy and killer instinct,” which makes him think of “No. 8 and No. 24.” – 12:17 PM
Rob Pelinka said that Luka has a rare “Combination of basketball joy and killer instinct,” which makes him think of “No. 8 and No. 24.” – 12:17 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Rob Pelinka said he brought Lakers owner Jeanie Buss immediately after the initial conversation with Nico Harrison. Said the deal was between GM and GM, owner and owner – 12:17 PM
Rob Pelinka said he brought Lakers owner Jeanie Buss immediately after the initial conversation with Nico Harrison. Said the deal was between GM and GM, owner and owner – 12:17 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Rob Pelinka says that his negotiations with Nico Harrison lasted nearly three weeks and he looped in Jeanie Buss from the very start. Harrison/Pelinka kept the discussions in a tight a GM/ownership loop until the very end. – 12:16 PM
Rob Pelinka says that his negotiations with Nico Harrison lasted nearly three weeks and he looped in Jeanie Buss from the very start. Harrison/Pelinka kept the discussions in a tight a GM/ownership loop until the very end. – 12:16 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Rob Pelinka confirms that Dallas approached the Lakers about a Doncic trade. Says there was a “fabric of trust” between him and Nico Harrison because of the shared relationship they had with Kobe Bryant. Says there were many issues that came up the last few weeks. – 12:15 PM
Rob Pelinka confirms that Dallas approached the Lakers about a Doncic trade. Says there was a “fabric of trust” between him and Nico Harrison because of the shared relationship they had with Kobe Bryant. Says there were many issues that came up the last few weeks. – 12:15 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Lmao Rob Pelinka is literally out here thanking Nico Harrison by name for helping make the Luka Doncic trade happen.
Always a sign of a good deal! – 12:10 PM
Lmao Rob Pelinka is literally out here thanking Nico Harrison by name for helping make the Luka Doncic trade happen.
Always a sign of a good deal! – 12:10 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
“A seismic event in NBA history.” — Rob Pelinka on Luka Doncic as a Laker. pic.x.com/GpGdX6nKoC – 12:09 PM
“A seismic event in NBA history.” — Rob Pelinka on Luka Doncic as a Laker. pic.x.com/GpGdX6nKoC – 12:09 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Rob Pelinka’s opening comments this morning focused on Luka Doncic’s journey from Europe to the NBA and his international appeal as a global superstar – 12:09 PM
Rob Pelinka’s opening comments this morning focused on Luka Doncic’s journey from Europe to the NBA and his international appeal as a global superstar – 12:09 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Rob Pelinka called Luka Doncic coming to the Lakers “a seismic event in NBA history.” – 12:09 PM
Rob Pelinka called Luka Doncic coming to the Lakers “a seismic event in NBA history.” – 12:09 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Rob Pelinka: “I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history” pic.x.com/t4w3rwHIPB – 12:08 PM
Rob Pelinka: “I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history” pic.x.com/t4w3rwHIPB – 12:08 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Rob Pelinka: “Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history … we have a 25-year-old global superstar that is going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball force in the globe.” – 12:08 PM
Rob Pelinka: “Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history … we have a 25-year-old global superstar that is going to get on the stage of the most popular and influential basketball force in the globe.” – 12:08 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Rob Pelinka: “Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic moment in NBA history.” Cites Doncic’s star power and the Lakers global brand. – 12:07 PM
Rob Pelinka: “Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic moment in NBA history.” Cites Doncic’s star power and the Lakers global brand. – 12:07 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Rob Pelinka describes Luka Doncic joining the Lakers as “seismic.” AK – 12:07 PM
Rob Pelinka describes Luka Doncic joining the Lakers as “seismic.” AK – 12:07 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Josh Hart on the Luka Doncic trade: “Gotta give credit to Rob Pelinka, man. Highway robbery.” pic.x.com/9NHhZN0aEX – 9:18 AM
Josh Hart on the Luka Doncic trade: “Gotta give credit to Rob Pelinka, man. Highway robbery.” pic.x.com/9NHhZN0aEX – 9:18 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Jimmy Conway, explaining how Rob Pelinka pulled off the Luka Doncic trade… AK pic.x.com/pdV0nKt7se – 5:49 PM
Jimmy Conway, explaining how Rob Pelinka pulled off the Luka Doncic trade… AK pic.x.com/pdV0nKt7se – 5:49 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
My guess is Danny Ainge was one of the first calls Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison made to take 2023 first round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 Clippers second-round pick and a 2025 Mavericks second-round pick for $110,000. If he didn’t take the giveaway, another team would have. – 3:20 PM
My guess is Danny Ainge was one of the first calls Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison made to take 2023 first round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 Clippers second-round pick and a 2025 Mavericks second-round pick for $110,000. If he didn’t take the giveaway, another team would have. – 3:20 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
The Lakers announced that they’ll introduce Luka Doncic at a press conference tomorrow at 9 a.m. alongside Rob Pelinka. – 1:04 PM
The Lakers announced that they’ll introduce Luka Doncic at a press conference tomorrow at 9 a.m. alongside Rob Pelinka. – 1:04 PM
More on this storyline
Jovan Buha: Maxi Kleber says that he’ll be re-evaluated in eight weeks, which will determine if he’s able to return this season. -via x.com / February 4, 2025
League sources say the Lakers have been attempting to use the contracts of Gabe Vincent ($11 million this season, $11.5 million next) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million this season; $11 million next season) in this pursuit. One significant hurdle, however, is that Kleber (who came to the Lakers in the Dončić deal) can only be traded in a one-for-one deal rather than being aggregated. Conceivably, that takes options like Atlanta big man Clint Capela (who is on an expiring deal worth $22.2 million) off the board. -via New York Times / February 4, 2025
Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team deal that includes Utah. Jorge Sierra: Further proof of what a big deal this was… This is now the most retweeted and liked tweet ever from Shams. -via x.com / February 3, 2025
