After starting dull, the Los Angeles Lakers have made moves like bringing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart besides locking the King in a spot, all to improve their roster from last season. But they’re still a move or two away from being true title contenders. Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office’s biggest task this summer was to add a center, and they’ve done that. Meanwhile, they’ve also added a few other rotational pieces. However, they still need someone on their wings who could defend. That’s why the Purple & Gold set their eyes on Josh Okogie. 

The former Charlotte Hornets star is exactly the piece that LA might’ve been missing. However, before Rob Pelinka could start negotiations with the free agent, he’s gone. The 26-year-old wing had been on the radar of many teams after he was bought out of his contract with the Hornets. This included the likes of the Lakers and a few others. However, the free agent has stunned everyone with a move.

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news to the world through a social media post. “Free agent forward Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN.” While this is great news for the Rockets, who’ve now strengthened their roster even further after landing Kevin Durant earlier, for the Lakers, it’s another missed chance. Okogie joins the list of several players that the Purple & Gold have failed to land this summer.

Rob Pelinka and Co. have now failed to land Brook Lopez, Myles Turner, Bradley Beal, and several others alongside Okogie. Not just that, this miss has now boosted the ranks of their Conference rivals. This should be concerning news for Los Angeles Lakers supporters, as the time to sign free agents is running out.

Moreover, if they are not able to land any other free agents, it’s hard to imagine them making any other significant moves given the financial implications looming over them. However, it seems this has put Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office in panic mode as they held talks with two guards.

Rob Pelinka and Co. eye two stars after missing out on Josh Okogie

The Lakers were at the forefront of the NBA trade news this past week as they made a flurry of moves. One of the most notable ones was the Purple & Gold signing former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. While that move will certainly improve their defensive abilities massively, there’s still a lot of work to be done. It is clear that Rob Pelinka is looking to make a couple more moves before the season tips off, and he even has his eyes set on two star players.

Any guesses who? Well, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, the Lakers are eyeing former guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Donte DiVincenzo. “The Lakers discussed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Donte DiVincenzo as potential trade targets with the Grizzlies and Timberwolves, sources told @ClutchPoints.” Siegel wrote on X. “KCP talks happened after he was included in the Bane-ORL trade. MIN immediately turned down DiVincenzo talks.“

It seems like Rob Pelinka is planning to go big this summer. That’s the only way to describe these talks with Minnesota and Memphis. While KCP is still on the table for LA, the Timberwolves had shut down DiVincenzo talks. Caldwell-Pope is heading into the second year of his three-year $66 million deal that he signed last offseason with the Magic. So, it won’t be easy to lure away the veteran guard. However, there’s no doubt that he’ll be a valuable addition to the roster for LA.

Last season, KCP averaged 8.7 points along with 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Magic. Moreover, he’s already spent four seasons with the Purple & Gold and even won a chip, which further makes him a more tempting candidate. However, before you get too excited, let us remind you that signing him won’t come without a cost. LA will have to give up a few of its assets to land the veteran star. Now, will they be ready to give up assets to land him? We’ll have to wait and watch.