LOS ANGELES _ Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called LeBron James' choice to sign with the Lakers the "ultimate validation" of the work he and president of basketball operations Magic Johnson have been doing since they took over.
Pelinka, addressing the media Wednesday for the first time since James decided to sign with the Lakers on July 1, compared the decision of Lance Stephenson to join James and the Lakers to that of Dennis Rodman joining Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls team and Metta World Peace coming to the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers.
Pelinka said that Lonzo Ball would be ready for training camp, although his management team is evaluating options for treating his left knee. Ball had a platelet-rich plasma injection in the knee in early May and resumed some basketball activities in early June.
When asked about consideration given to re-signing Julius Randle, Pelinka noted that the Lakers did not sign any other players to multiyear contracts other than the $153.3 million, four-year deal with James.
"We did identify going into this offseason to keep cap flexibility going into 2019," he said.
Pelinka said he did not focus early during the free-agency period on Paul George's decision to return to Oklahoma City.
"I don't think any of us are counting losses," he said. "We feel incredibly fortunate and grateful."
