Lakers GM Gets Honest About Nuggets Matchup

The Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in last year's Western Conference Finals, and it further illuminated their need for more size. A matchup with Nikola Jokic is a nightmare for any team, but teams lacking front court and wing depth can really get in trouble. Speaking with the media on Sunday, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka spoke on this dynamic:

Rob Pelinka: "Denver's size I think was something that really was apparent to us that we wanted to upgrade
our wing depth."
— Melissa Rohlin (@melissarohlin) July 9, 2023

The Lakers have a unique situation in their front court, because while they have one of the best bigs in the NBA in Anthony Davis, and one of the best overall players in LeBron James, their depth behind those two can get shaky at times. Finding reliable wings is always difficult, because they can come at a premium. When looking for players who can thrive in a playoff setting, this can be even more difficult. That said, the Lakers know they need some help in that category.

This is likely just the first of many instances this offseason where teams will have the Nuggets in mind when making roster decisions. It seems likely that the Nuggets will be the team to beat again next season, which means any team with championship aspirations will have to go through them. For a team like the Lakers who were eliminated by the Nuggets last season, they saw up close exactly what areas they were lacking in.

Understanding this, Pelinka is looking for wing help.

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