It was revealed that the Lakers are negotiating with multiple teams! Plans to bring in a number of centre-forwards Hayes Leine is likely to leave

On May 29, Beijing time, Lakers reporter Anthony Irwin reported that with only a few weeks left in the 2024-25 season, communication between NBA teams has entered the "high potential" stage. According to league sources, one executive is particularly active — Pelinka, the Lakers' president of basketball operations. Since the Lakers' dismal first-round exit, Pelinka's priority has been clear: they need multiple centers.

Obviously, the previously collapsed Mark Williams deal is enough to show Pelinka's sober perception of the status quo. It's an indisputable fact that when Marvey failed his medical exam, the Lakers had to play in the playoffs with Hayes as the only barely available center, and the team's season came to an end.

In the season-wrapping interview, Pelinka looked rather unhappy when asked about the decision not to make Koloko and Jamieson. But the harsh reality: Redick needed a rotation option, and Ryan simply couldn't play – a decision that had clearly become a miserable mistake.

Now, less than a month away from the NBA draft,Sources say Pelinka has been in talks with multiple teams and has even repeatedly thrown out a framework of trade chips that had been used to chase Ma Wei in an attempt to stock up as much information as possible for the official operation period。

An Eastern Conference executive said: "The problem Pelinka faces is thatAny team with a big man who 'can play normally' will start with Kneckert and a first-round pick, if their center is stronger, the chips will be increased. ”

Historically, Pelinka has been accustomed to waiting if prices don't meet expectations. But according to Lakers sources, things could be different this year — after all,He still needs to convince Doncic to stay with the team for the long term。

Although the league generally believes that Doncic wants to stay with the Lakers for the rest of his life and has a championship in Los Angeles as his top goal, the Lakers clearly don't take it lightly.

"Pelinka is crazy," a league source said during the Chicago Draft tryout, "and he says you need a big man, but that's no secret — you need centers with different skill traits." He may not be able to fully assemble the ideal rotation this summer, but he's definitely giving it his all. ”

In terms of potential targets, there are names we've heard of before (like Claxton for the Nets, Gaford for the Mavericks, etc.) as well as new faces on the trade market and free agency. The Lakers need to find open picks for Doncic, James and Reaves, but sources say Redick is also hoping for a big man who can open up space for his "five-out system." However, Redick is willing to adapt the tactical system to the existing roster, so the final balance is worth looking forward to.

In terms of free agency, the Lakers' strategy is to complement the players they signed with the centers they get in trade。 For example, if they get an empty center through a trade, they will sign a space or meat shield interior with a mini mid-range or base salary; Vice versa.

Regarding the departure and retention of existing players,Sources say there is a very unlikely chance that Hayes will stay on the team, who was unhappy with his marginalized role in the playoffs and whose salary expectations were hampered by the reduced minutes he played. From the Lakers' perspective, they are weighing whether Redick has lost trust in Hayes and the potential for him to be relegated if he brings in a new center.

In addition, the Lakers will need to carefully consider the public opinion implications of Hayes' contract extension, which the league has been investigating since last November after TMZ exposed a video of his 2021 domestic violence incident.

Koloko is loved by many within the team and is likely to return next season; Jamieson is also likely to stay, but the former is seen as closer to the NBA rotation, while the latter is more positioned as a two-way contract player.As for Ryan, his career with the Lakers is almost certain to end.

In her season-wrapping interview, Pelinka mentioned that the league is having "the craziest offseason in years." He and the Lakers undoubtedly want to capitalize on the chaos — after all, the market impasse last summer caused the Lakers a headache, and the turmoil may be able to break it.

One thing is certain: the Lakers desperately need to add complementary depth at the center position. The whole league knows this. To a large extent, the success or failure of this offseason will depend on how well the Lakers address this pressing need and whether they will be reactive in negotiations as a result.