Rob Pelinka talks about the Lakers' offseason additions

Rob Pelinka talks about the Lakers' offseason additions

The Los Angeles Lakers achieved their most important objective this offseason when they got Luka Doncic to agree to a three-year contract extension on Saturday. Saturday was the first day he was eligible to sign an extension, and this move will ensure that he will remain a member of the team past this coming season.

One can now say the Lakers have had a very solid and successful offseason. They previously addressed their gaping hole at the center position by signing Deandre Ayton, and they also brought in young and promising forward Jake LaRavia and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.

At Saturday's press conference to announce Doncic's extension, general manager Rob Pelinka implied that the Lakers would like to make at least one more move. However, he seemed pleased with the moves that have been made.

“It’s the centerpiece of the foundation piece,” Pelinka said of building around Doncic. “I think in conversations with Luka, it was really important for us to get a rim, lob-catching center and we feel like getting Deandre Ayton was huge. It’s gonna unlock so much in Luka’s game, as you can tell with pick-and-roll reads, he’s the best in the world and I think Deandre is gonna help. Our thesis for our roster was to get younger, and I think getting some 3-and-D players like a Jake LaRavia who we could add, at his age, 42% 3-point shooter and having wings that can shoot and play both sides of the ball I think is also important. And then being able to add Marcus Smart, Defensive Player of the Year a couple years ago, I think he has a chip on his shoulder to get back to that level and put the league on notice.

“I think having players like that surrounding both Luka and LeBron, guys that can defend multiple positions, is really important. So we like the upgrades we were able to make to the roster, but by no means are we gonna be satisfied. I think every year, we’re on an infinite cycle to try to improve this team to win championships and we’ll stay committed to that work.”

Ayton could be close to the ideal center to pair with Doncic, at least offensively. He's a definite lob threat who has a nice touch around the basket, as well as a low-post game and the ability to hit jumpers out to just beyond 15 feet or so. Ayton is also a good rebounder who will help Los Angeles on the boards, an area in which it has been weak for the last couple of seasons.

LaRavia is a dead-eye 3-point shooter who seems to have some upward potential on the defensive end. Speaking of the defensive end, Smart has been one of the NBA's best in that department for years, and he could be poised for a return to form after a couple of injury-riddled seasons.

The team has the expiring contracts of Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber, as well as one future first-round draft to offer in a trade between now and the February trade deadline. It could also look to flip forward Rui Hachimura or even guard Austin Reaves if it chooses to do so.

The Lakers may not be true championship contenders, but they're close, and they could surprise people this season.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Rob Pelinka talks about the Lakers' offseason additions