It was official on July 9, 2018. LeBron James became a Laker, following the long list of NBA legends in the flagship franchise of the West. The then 3-time NBA champion was ready to move to the most successful Western team for $153 million after conquering the East. Now all they needed was to bag championship titles to level up with their rivals, the Boston Celtics. However, that was not the mindset of the Los Angeles side. That’s certainly hard to believe. Playing for the Lakers means chasing championships. Anything less than that is an utter failure. Seemingly, Rob Pelinka settled for the latter as the ex-Laker finally unearthed the truth.

Kyle Kuzma, who spent four seasons with the Purple and Gold, revealed the shocking facts. During an exclusive interview with The Athletic, the Wizards’ forward was told about the common narrative surrounding him—how he maintains such patience despite being accustomed to competing for titles with the Lakers.

Bursting the bubble, Kuzma said, “I wouldn’t say I’m used to playing for titles. There was really two years where it was, ‘We’re going to play for a title.'” At this point, even Josh Robbins must have been taken aback. He further disclosed that only in his third and fourth years at the franchise, there were discussions about chasing the title. The 29-year-old added, “The first year in L.A., there wasn’t really title talk. The second year, when (LeBron James) first came to the Lakers, there wasn’t really title talk. Then I went here, and there hasn’t been title talk.”

Following their 2020 championship victory, the Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka decided to part ways with Kuzma instead of continuing with the existing team, which raised many eyebrows. As per the deal, Russell Westbrook joined the squad but couldn’t support LeBron and Co. to another title.

For the past four seasons, there have not been any outstanding trades or strategies that could guarantee the Lakers’ 18th title. And with LeBron James having limited time on the hardwood, there still appears to be a lack of serious consideration regarding the championship victory. Even Pelinka didn’t seem optimistic about the new season.

Rob Pelinka discusses the championship prospects of the LeBron James-led Lakers

The Lakers faced significant criticism over their front-office decisions in recent years. Despite LeBron James’ desire for a top-tier veteran, the organization couldn’t secure one. Heading into the 2024-25 season with an inexperienced head coach, JJ Redick, an unproven rookie in Bronny James, and a thin roster, Rob Pelinka expresses uncertainty about achieving a positive outcome.

During their presser just before the media day, the GM talked about whether the Lakers could win the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the upcoming season. Pelinka responded, “I think we’ll have a better sense after 30 games.”

“But we believe in this group,” he added, saying that the 15 players would determine the ultimate wins and losses on the court. “We can’t guarantee wins or losses, but we can guarantee that these guys will give their all. Our confidence is high, but we’re always looking for ways to improve the roster. If we stay healthy and things go our way, I really like our chances,” Pelinka stated.

Well, before heading into the regular season, the Lakers had already tasted two preseason losses. When LeBron didn’t appear in the first game against the Timberwolves, many fans believed that his presence in the following game against the Suns would make a difference. However, the team would need a lot of improvement if they truly want another championship title.