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Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
As tradition would have it, the Lakers are fuelling a number of rumours at the start of the off-season. The latest one, however, came as a surprise to many fans… but could be part of a devious strategy being implemented by the franchise.
Not a summer goes by without the Lakers finding themselves at the heart of the rumor mill. The franchise is actually one of the most notorious in the NBA, which explains the attention that surrounds each of its off-seasons. The 2025 vintage is no exception, as Rob Pelinka and his assistants continue their search for a starting center for next year. But they’re also exploring other avenues.
The alleged scheme devised by the Lakers on the trade market
For a few hours now, the Lakers have been concentrating their efforts on a secondary issue to that of the center position. Discussions are said to be taking place with the Heat’s staff concerning… Andrew Wiggins, whose profile would not leave the Angelinos unmoved. So why make him a priority? Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints put forward an initial explanation:
Anthony Irwin: “Their fans might wonder why the Lakers are considering this kind of deal when they need a center so badly. Nonetheless, league sources indicate that Rob Pelinka is struggling with the high demands he must meet to attract a big man. If they were to close on Wiggins, then expect the Lakers to recruit a starting center via their mid-level exception.”
Not willing to pay top dollar for an interior on the transfer market, the Purple & Gold could turn their attention to the free agent market. As it stands, they will after all have the taxpayer mid-level exception, worth $5.7 million, and could use it that way. Unless the Wiggins rumor is just a lie cleverly put together by the franchise to serve its interests:
Anthony Irwin: “It’s also possible that a rumor like this is being spread so that the teams the Lakers are negotiating with for a starting center fear that they’ll use their assets in another deal. This could then have the effect of reducing the price of the centers they covet. After all, such a smokescreen would come as no surprise at this time of the season.”
A connoisseur of the merciless environment in which he has been operating for many years, would Pelinka be capable of using such a ruse to achieve his ends? The hypothesis can’t be ruled out, as he knows that his team will need to recruit a talented center in the coming weeks. Without one, JJ Redick and his men will probably have to put their title aspirations on hold.
