It is well-known that recently, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a very important major trade this season. They reached a deal with the Brooklyn Nets in the East, with the Lakers acquiring Finney-Smith and Milton in exchange for Russell, Lewis, and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2031). This trade marks the Lakers' call to arms before the trade deadline this season, as they will go all out for the second half of the season.
After completing this trade, the Lakers will not stop there, because there is still a huge weakness that has not been addressed by the Lakers, which is the lack of a center. This season, the Lakers' three main rotation frontcourt players, Vanderbilt, Wood, and Hayes, have all been plagued by long-term injuries, leaving the Lakers' center position in a vacuum. After obtaining Smith, the Lakers must make another trade to bring in a center player to fill the last piece of the puzzle for the team.
The Lakers have been trying to trade for a center, and they previously engaged in trade talks with the Wizards regarding center Valanciunas. According to media reports, both sides have reached a preliminary framework, with only some details left to be finalized. However, as time progressed, the Lakers completed the trade involving Finney-Smith first but failed to reach an agreement on Valanciunas. Today, according to media reports, the trade between the Lakers and the Wizards regarding Valanciunas has basically fallen through.
According to Lakers beat reporter Anthony Irwin, sources within the league revealed that the Lakers are still seen as the more advantageous party to obtain Valanciunas. However, the Wizards are asking for more draft picks than the Lakers are willing to give, and they were previously seeking Russell's expiring contract. The Wizards are exploring throughout the league, looking for a better offer than the Lakers', but other teams are quite cautious about Valanciunas' contract. His contract extends until the 2026-27 season, but the last year is not guaranteed.
The reason this trade did not go through is mainly because the Wizards raised their price. The Wizards believe that since the Lakers do not have a center, they will agree to pay a high price. They want to exchange Valanciunas for a first-round draft pick. However, the Lakers will absolutely not agree to send out a first-round draft pick, because even for a top-tier 3D wing like Finney-Smith, they did not spend a first-round draft pick. Why would they give up a first-round pick for Valanciunas?
Pelinka's rejection of this trade was wise. Because the Lakers' first-round draft pick is very precious, and they cannot abuse it. In fact, the Lakers can contact the Rockets, who have three centers: Shen Jing, Adams, and Landale, with a surplus of personnel, to the point where Landale is not even getting playing time. The Rockets have recently suffered two consecutive losses and also have a certain need for trades. If the Lakers try to pursue Adams or Landale, it is believed to be feasible. It remains to be seen what Pelinka thinks about this.
Let's pay attention to when the Lakers' second major trade will happen!