Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Lakers Fans Slam Rob Pelinka For Creating Excuses While Not Making Any Moves
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a wave of backlash from their fanbase following the revelation in an ESPN report by Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin about Jarred Vanderbilt’s injury. A single line in the report ignited a storm of criticism:
"His absence has also prevented the Lakers' front office from fully evaluating the needs of its roster as trade season approaches."
Many fans on platforms like Reddit were quick to interpret this as an excuse planted by Rob Pelinka to justify inaction in improving the team. The reaction was harsh and pointed, as fans called out Pelinka’s perceived shortcomings and the front office's lack of urgency.
Lakers fans wasted no time expressing their dissatisfaction, labeling Pelinka as ineffective and unwilling to take risks. One fan remarked, "If you can’t do an evaluation of this team, then you are bad at your job straight up."
The sentiment was echoed widely, with others accusing the Lakers’ front office of being indecisive and hesitant to make moves. One particularly stinging comment read, “Rob has more excuses than LeBron’s total career points.”
This frustration stems from the Lakers’ lack of roster moves over the past two seasons. Despite sitting at 12-9 and 9th in the Western Conference, the team has struggled recently, going 2-5 in their last seven games. The lack of meaningful changes to the roster—aside from drafting rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James—has left fans questioning the direction and ambition of the front office.
Fans have pointed to Pelinka’s history as evidence of a larger issue. One fan noted, “I have never seen a GM outlast three coaching changes in such a short period of time.”
Others accused the Lakers’ management of pushing blame onto external factors like injuries or shifting the narrative to deflect accountability.
“This totally reeks of upper management,” one fan wrote.
“No accountability, constantly pushing blame onto others for their inadequacy.”
The comparison to missed opportunities from the past has further fueled the ire. Fans have repeatedly lamented the decision not to trade for players like Myles Turner and Buddy Hield two seasons ago, a move that could have significantly bolstered the team’s chances.
“The reason is that they don’t want a bare cupboard once LeBron has retired,” one fan speculated. “But they should’ve pulled the trigger two seasons ago.”
The current state of the roster has exacerbated the anger. The Lakers have assets, including two first-round picks, that they can use to acquire a star player or much-needed reinforcements. Yet, the front office has failed to make significant moves. The defense, a glaring weakness with the team ranked 24th in defensive rating, desperately needs addressing, especially given Vanderbilt’s prolonged absence.
Fans are tired of waiting, with one noting sarcastically, “Remember when Pelinka said, ‘Wait till the summer for a star?’”
Another commented, “They are fence straddlers. It’s been clear as day that they don’t want to make any moves for whatever reasons they might have.”
The frustration surrounding Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' front office is reaching a boiling point. While injuries to key players like Vanderbilt are valid challenges, fans are unwilling to accept them as excuses for inaction. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis still performing at a high level, the Lakers’ championship window is narrow. The call for bold moves is louder than ever, and Pelinka’s ability to navigate this pressure will likely define the Lakers’ season—and his legacy as GM.
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