The Beat Writes the Post-LeBron Chapter, and Pelinka Picks…

By the Lakers Nightly Desk · Friday, September 25

Media day sent the Los Angeles beat in four directions, and all of them point back to Doncic now that LeBron James has moved on to Philadelphia. Lakers Nation reported that Rob Pelinka compared the season ahead to Homer's Odyssey, and ESPN ranked Doncic fourth in its preseason listing, a marker of what the league expects with the season still at 0-0.

Luka Doncic of the Lakers — Luka Doncic. Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Grateful, Not Grieving

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that Rob Pelinka called the LeBron James exit 'done amicably,' and ESPN's Ben Golliver wrote that the offseason marks a reset centered on Doncic. The Los Angeles Times wrote that the new era opens with a thanks for the old one. Lakers Nation reported Pelinka calling the offseason plan achieved and the roster 'grateful' for the LeBron era, the same message repeated across three outlets in one day. None of it changes the roster: James signed with the 76ers, and the twenty-one names now on the Lakers' depth chart make no mention of him.

Pieces That Fit

Silver Screen and Roll reported that JJ Redick called this the first time in his Lakers tenure the roster 'actually fits together,' a line Lakers Nation caught him repeating while joking about his starting five. Silver Screen and Roll also reported Redick calling Adou Thiero's summer development 'unbelievable,' and Lakers Nation reported him praising the Walker Kessler addition, a center who averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in five games last season. The words are easy in September; the record is still 0-0.

The Price of Fit

Silver Screen and Roll reported that Marcus Smart turned down more money from the Lakers to sign with the Rockets, calling the offer 'disrespectful.' The number fits what Pelinka is building: payroll already sits at $201.3 million, above the $200.4 million luxury tax line, leaving little room to outbid Houston for a rotation guard. Cross the $209.0 million first apron and moves get harder still, a threshold Pelinka is watching as closely as the beat is watching him.

Did the Lakers and LeBron James really part on good terms?

Rob Pelinka told ESPN's Dave McMenamin the exit was 'done amicably,' and James signed with the 76ers as a free agent this offseason.

Why did Marcus Smart sign with the Rockets instead of the Lakers?

Silver Screen and Roll reported that Smart turned down more Lakers money, calling the offer disrespectful, with the Lakers already above the $200.4 million luxury tax line.

By the Lakers Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.