Opposing Teams Making Lakers Pay More in Potential Trades, Says ESPN Insider

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a historic heist when they were able to trade for Luka Doncic a couple of weeks before the trade deadline. They paid an incredibly low price for him.

In order to bring him to Los Angeles, the Lakers parted ways with Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. That was all it took to get Doncic and Maxi Kleber from the Mavericks.

That was a fantastic trade facilitated by Rob Pelinka, but now other teams are holding it against them. In fact, the Lakers seem to have a higher price for other trades they are trying to make.

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It seems that the price they were willing to pay for Mark Williams is now being used against them. According to ESPN, teams were making the Lakers pay a higher price as they searched for a trade involving a center.

The Lakers sent a younger player, Dalton Knecht, an unprotected first-round pick, and a first-round pick swap to the Hornets for Williams. They decided to rescind that trade after looking at Williams' physical, though.

Because they established that price as what they were willing to pay for a center, other teams were holding them to that as they were enthralled in negotiations around the league.

Eventually, the Lakers wound up signing Deandre Ayton to a two-year deal worth $16 million, which was much cheaper than any trade they would have had to make.

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The Lakers might have to deal with the same problem if Ayton isn't working out around the trade deadline. They might shop around to try to find another center if he continues to have work ethic issues.

Rob Pelinka could find that the market isn't very kind to him when it comes to looking for another big man. They still might be looking for a forward who is defensive-minded, as well.

Pelinka has to be careful making trades from now on. Other teams are going to be less willing to deal with them after they stole Doncic away from Dallas. He has to navigate those waters with some expertise.

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