Lakers GM Rob Pelinka: We Can't Lose for Years Like Thunder, Spurs

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said the club cannot copy the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs by losing for years to collect high draft picks.

This summer the Lakers gave several players long-term deals, where in the past they usually handed veterans two-year contracts. Pelinka added to that, turning to the question of building through the draft.

"If you look at the teams we want to compete with on equal terms – perhaps that is the Thunder and the Spurs in the West – those clubs went through prolonged crises. They had to lose a lot over many seasons to get high picks in the draft. We simply do not have that luxury. Again, expectations of us are the same year after year: win, reach the playoffs, compete for the title. And we feel we are managing to do that. As I said, since I took the leadership post, we have consistently been a playoff team, and we must keep going in the same way," Pelinka said.

Los Angeles lost to Oklahoma City 0-4 in the second round last season.

If the long contracts are the club's answer to that sweep, this may mean the Lakers intend to close the gap with the Thunder through continuity rather than a rebuild.