Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Perinka talks about his focus during negotiations with Luka Donsic.
La Lakers’ GM was surprised when Nico Harrison approached counterpart Rob Perinka on the trade between Luka Donsic and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers continued to negotiate with the best secrets and managed to stop Luka Donsic’s stunning contract. Luka Donsic has shown his talent again by dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a recent matchup.
The partnership between Luka Doncic and Lebron James is wrapped in a spell, but there was another player in Pelinka’s mind throughout the discussion.
Rob Perinka talks about Lakers star Austin Raves, who is enjoying his fifth year in the franchise.
Reaves took a step forward from a promising star to a key player. Derek Fisher recently expressed his praise for his increased efficiency.
This season, the Reaves have enjoyed stretching historic shootings, and LeBron James also praised him for “unlocking” the new level.
Speaking to Lakers media, Rob Perinka praised Reeves.
“You bet on the fact that he is the ultimate competitor. He absolutely loves basketball and always wants to get better.
He didn’t like to predict how good Reaves would be. “I don’t like putting ceilings on such players.
And, needless to say, while he was negotiating with the Dallas Mavericks, Perinka said he was excited to use Reeve with his new star.
“But even if we had a massive deal we made and brought in Luka (Don Chic) and I had Austin in my head for the month, I was going through that trade.
“He’s a Swiss Army knife so he can really play with any player in any environment.
“He thinks about the game, he looks at the game at a high level and makes sure he plays very well with Luka and LeBron.”
A big belief around the league is that the Dallas Mavericks have not returned enough for what they gave up for Luka Donsic.
The Lakers traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie, but the Mavericks probably should have issued an ultimatum for Austin Reeves to be put into the deal.
Brian Windhorst told the Hoop Collective that he deemed it “cheating” from the Mavericks and did not land Austin Reeves in the trade that left Luka Donsic.
Pelinka’s comments suggest that he determined this was a deal that had struggled with sanctions, and may have made it very clear that Austin Reaves was off limits.
Now Perinka enjoys watching it all unfold, and Reeve is hit to a new level.