The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the 2019-20 season with sky-high expectations. By acquiring Anthony Davis and other talented players like Danny Green and DeMarcus Cousins, the team has set itself up to contend for a championship this season and beyond.
Similarly, there will be several teams vying for the title this year in an NBA environment that seems to have more parity than ever before. Many consider the Clippers to be the title favorites after signing reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George but teams like the Rockets, Bucks, Nuggets, Blazers and 76ers will all have their eyes on the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Regardless of the state of the league, the Lakers set their own expectations and if general manager Rob Pelinka is to be believed, the standards are unquestionably high.
"For us anything short of a championship is not success," Rob Pelinka says on a conference call.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) July 12, 2019
Of course, the Lakers brand will always follow the championship or bust model. This year, however, they will have a legitimate chance at bringing home the 17th championship for the franchise so long as LeBron James and Davis remain healthy.
Pelinka is the lead architect of building a roster around those two to compete against the very best teams in the league, most of whom have much more continuity to their advantage. To that point, Pelinka made sure to credit both James and Davis for their assistance in doing just that. The two stars recruited several of the players that the team ultimately signed.
Rob Pelinka on how much he consulted with LeBron and AD in free agency
"We view our relationships with star players as partnerships… Both of their input has been incredibly valuable to me."
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) July 12, 2019
Pelinka also just thanked Anthony Davis for waiving his trade-kicker, and praised the commitment to the team it showed because they were able to find helpful players with that space.
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) July 12, 2019
Pelinka later spoke at length about each of the Lakers’ free agent signings while pointing out that they may keep their final roster spot open through training camp in the event that top buyout candidates become available:
Rob Pelinka was asked by @kylegoon if he was aware at the time of the AD trade if the trade would have to be expanded, or if they had to re-work it on the fly. Rob's response was five full minutes and 705 words. pic.twitter.com/JtpPTFwH8K
— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) July 12, 2019
The Lakers will have their work cut out for them if they wish to win a title. But they have the makings of a team that can do just that. With two superstars and a roster built to fit in with their strengths and weaknesses, it’s no wonder why the franchise’s expectations are so high.
