Don't Blame The Lakers If They Can't Pull Off Any Trades, Other Teams Are Just Jealous

(ESPN) – EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a potentially NBA-altering free agency, general manager Rob Pelinka fully understands that opposing teams will not be eager to help the Lakers build a potential super team.

“It’s interesting because we knew we wanted to try to acquire another pick in the beginning of the second round, and as I said, we’re in discussions on that, [but] we feel like we’re going to be able to accomplish that,” Pelinka said when asked whether the Lakers are encountering resistance from other teams in doing business during this pivotal offseason for the franchise. “So it’s not like teams are saying, ‘Oh, I’m not going to do a deal with the Lakers,’ but I do think when you have 16 banners, there’s going to be a natural envy from your competitors because you’re sitting at the top of the food chain, but that’s just life in general.”

On Thursday, one Lakers source told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that the San Antonio Spurs “basically shut the door on us” when the Lakers contacted the Spurs following multiple reports last week that Kawhi Leonard wants to be traded. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that no players were discussed and that there was no further dialogue between the two teams with talks not going far.

Pelinka did not want to address the talks, saying he wanted to respect other teams with which he has discussions. But the Lakers’ GM did say that because of the franchise’s past success, opposing teams won’t be so quick to help the Lakers restore their glory.

Oh this is rich. You would think that quote was all that was said, but there’s more

If you have success in any walk of life, you’re going to face that,” Pelinka said. “We don’t really see that as a challenge, we just see it as a reality, but we also feel like because of the DNA shift here and because of the energy around our team and our young core and our cap flexibility, that players want to be here. So whether other teams want to participate in that or not, we can’t control [that].

This is the prototypical Lakers cockiness we all know and love. I respect this move for a couple reasons. First, after more and more rumors are coming out about Paul George and Kawhi staying put, it’s only natural that the Lakers GM comes out and tries to lay the groundwork for an out. Things sound a little different than just a few weeks ago when Jeanie Buss was basically telling the world they were pulling off something special. Now it’s “well, it’s not like we could even do anything, everyone is just so jealous of us that nobody wants to trade with us”. My question is, who the fuck is jealous of the Lakers banners? I say this only because I don’t think any team that doesn’t trade with the Celtics makes that decision because they are jealous of their league leading 17 banners. I think teams don’t want trade with the Celtics because Ainge is a motherfucking beast and they don’t want to get taken for everything they have. It also doesn’t make much sense, if people don’t want to help the Lakers because of their past, how has Ainge gotten so many teams to give him all their best players and picks? Shouldn’t the same logic apply in Boston? Oh right, that’s because it’s complete bullshit.

I mean this is the most classic rejection tactic in the book. It has nothing to do with you, the other person is just jealous of how awesome you are and they can’t handle it. Forget the fact that maybe other teams don’t want your young talent, or the fact nobody on this planet wants Loul Deng’s contract. If only the Lakers had let’s say, 7 banners, then maybe they’d already have pulled off these trades because other teams wouldn’t be blinded by envy.

So while I respect Pelinka for at least tossing this out there to potentially cover what might be a disappointing summer, it’s just so fucking smug it reminds me why we can all hate the Lakers even if they continue to stink.