Kendrick Perkins ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ to see the LA Lakers do something for the first time in five seasons

Kendrick Perkins anticipating LA Lakers reaching first NBA Finals since 2020

Kendrick Perkins spoke on NBA Today to discuss what he saw from the Los Angeles Lakers at their media day obligations.

Perkins noted that Luka Doncic being locked in is a good sign, and he likes what the Lakers have done in free agency to improve their roster. So much so that he can see them reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in five years.

“The most important thing is that he’s excited; he’s motivated. That means that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office did their job this offseason.

“If he’s coming into training camp and he’s happy and he’s excited about this season, [then] he’s excited about the moves that they made. And I’m excited as well.

“I’m very high on the Los Angeles Lakers. I have them right up there with OKC and Houston. And I wouldn’t be surprised if this team makes it to the NBA Finals.

“They have a lot of young veteran guys. I love what Rui Hachimura brings to the game. Austin Reaves, we saw flashes of what he could be last year in the strides he took offensively.

“Luka is in great shape. They got a point-of-attack defender and Marcus Smart on the perimeter. And Deandre Ayton, I believe, we’re going to see the best version of him.

“Something that we haven’t seen in a long time. His mental is going to be there. So, I’m high on this Los Angeles Lakers team.”

LA Lakers could improve even further with roster moves

As strong as the LA Lakers roster is right now, there is a chance they could even get better during the regular season.

The LA Lakers are open to using their current assets in trades if it means they can land a star player going forward.

While the Lakers have had their eye on Andrew Wiggins for quite some time, the star won’t be moving any time soon, as the Miami Heat repeat their Jimmy Butler approach.

Perhaps the Lakers try and land Walker Kessler, who expressed frustration in his most recent public appearance with the Utah Jazz.

Regardless, expect the Lakers to be linked to several players ahead of the February trade deadline next season.