Apr 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka walks on the couet prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Lakers Earn Praise For ‘Underrated’ Offseason Additions

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 8:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers are not afraid to make big moves. GM Rob Pelinka proved that last season when the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic a couple of weeks before the trade deadline.

Pelinka made a bold move this offseason as well, signing Deandre Ayton after he was bought out by the Trail Blazers. He also decided to sign oft-injured guard Marcus Smart.

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Those moves could make or break this year for the Lakers. NBA general managers actually seem to like the moves that Pelinka ended up making.

NBA General Managers Applaud the Lakers for Their Offseason

In the annual preseason poll sent to GMs, executives around the league like what the Lakers were able to do, specifically with the signing of Ayton.

When asking which player was the most underrated acquisition, GMs gave a vote for Deandre Ayton. He was in the others receiving votes category, not getting a large enough number of votes to get an actual percentage.

Signing Ayton is an upgrade at the center position if he plays with some motivation. His issue in Portland was that he played like he didn't really care to be out on the court.

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Now that he's on a team that has championship aspirations, perhaps he is able to keep his motivation level higher. He hasn't played on a team this good since he was with the Suns.

This will be Ayton's last chance to play for a team that has a real shot to win a championship, so he needs to play well this season.

The Lakers Are Hoping Deandre Ayton is the Future at the Center Spot

Pelinka gave Ayton a two-year contract, so they are giving him a short trial period. They are hoping that he can prove in those two seasons that he is worthy of being invested in as the center of the future.

There's no denying that Ayton is very talented, but he has to show that he cares to get better. That will be the biggest issue that Pelinka will be watching this year.

Last year with the Trail Blazers, Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.