For now, Lakers content to roll with current roster

The Lakers have been in the rumor mill all summer. First it was Austin Reaves. Then it was LeBron James. When you’re the Lakers, every player is trade bait if it helps fuel the gossip machine.

But here’s the reality: despite all the noise, the Lakers aren’t planning to make a move before camp. That’s the word from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who reports that Rob Pelinka and company want to see this roster in action before deciding whether to shake it up. Translation: they’ll let the season breathe before even considering pulling a trigger.

Yes, the front office sniffed around for more size and defensive help before settling on Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. No deal worth the hassle popped up, so patience won the day. And that patience isn’t just about this season.

Pelinka has an eye on the books. The Lakers are determined to preserve max cap space over the next two summers, meaning any trade before the deadline has to fit within that long-term plan.

So what does it all mean? For now, the Lakers will roll with what they’ve got. LeBron, Reaves, Rui Hachimura and whoever else. (Obviously, we didn’t include Luka Doncic, but he’s never in trade rumors, so …)

But if things don’t click? The Lakers have never been shy about changing scripts midseason.