Podcast: Should the Lakers run it back or adjust after their first-round exit?

Rob Pelinka has some tough questions to ask and answer this summer. Which direction he’ll go in remains a mystery.

With the Lakers officially in “next year” mode, one of the best learning practices ahead of the offseason is to scout the teams still within the playoffs — or whatever is left of said teams after this brutal season.

Although there is a very valid argument that a fully healthy Lakers’ squad would still be in the postseason, there is no denying that other teams have gotten better, are on the verge of improving and that the Lakers themselves, should look to do the same if given the chance.

Due to this, Rob Pelinka, Rich Paul, and the rest of the team’s front office face the question of “running it back” versus turning to a new direction, which will be a delicate balancing act that may prove challenging. Which brings us to today’s episode.

All the while, any decision will be largely affected by the resources (or lack thereof) at hand. The Lakers are mostly tapped out from a cap perspective because of the contracts already given out to LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and, to a lesser extent, Kyle Kuzma. So, in some cases, the Lakers might have no choice but to run back some of the role players from last year, as frustrating as their postseasons might have been.

On this week’s edition of “Talk-O Tuesday,” our hosts Alex Padilla and Alex Regla discuss both the pros and cons of running it back next season, and why the front office’s history usually leans to be more aggressive than not.

You can listen to the full episode below, and to make sure you never miss a show, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.

And for a short-form recap pod, check out Lakers Lowdown, in which Anthony Irwin recaps the previous day’s news and gets you ready for the day ahead in LakerLand, every weekday morning on the Silver Screen & Roll Podcast feed.