The Los Angeles Lakers might be riding the high of their incredible 115-113 Christmas Day win over the Golden State Warriors. But in the long run, their team needs to improve. And if there are no improvements, there will be consequences for GM Rob Pelinka, as The Athletic’s Jovan Buha suggested that Pelinka could take the fall should the Lakers have yet another mediocre season.
“Last season, all the fingers got pointed at Darvin Ham for everything that went wrong. This year, it’s not as clear of a scapegoat, and I think ultimately what they do over the next… I think it is going to be Pelinka, that’s the way this is trending.”
Pelinka has come under fire from Lakers fans for not being active in trying to improve the team. He was passive in free agency this summer, making just a single free-agent signing, making the Lakers one of the most inactive teams during the summer. And it’s not like the Lakers’ roster was beyond improving, as the previous season had shown just how top-heavy they were with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
In fact, since 2021, Pelinka has made just three major trades, which included both the arrival(s) and departure of Russell Westbrook, landing Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The latter of those arrivals occurred in February of 2023.
We are now fast approaching the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, which means Pelinka has done precisely nothing in the time since then to improve the roster, despite being shown time and again that the Lakers desperately need reinforcements. If he stays inactive during this trade window, the Lakers will suffer greatly, as their roster as presently constructed is just not good enough to compete.
Pelinka Still Eyeing Post-LeBron James Lakers
One of the biggest complaints surrounding Pelinka’s stint with the Lakers is his overcautious nature. Pelinka has refused to add draft assets to trades that were on the table and could improve the team as he doesn’t want to risk going all-in on LeBron James and risking the future of the franchise beyond the King’s tenure.
As a result, teams have also altered their negotiation strategy, attempting to coax Pelinka into giving up some draft capital. Pelinka seems to have been scared ever since the 2021 trade for Russell Westbrook backfired massively on him and the franchise. But as a GM, he cannot let a bad decision adversely impact the immediate and long-term future of his team.
Pelinka is so concerned about safeguarding the Lakers’ future that he is absolutely neglecting their present. Despite turning 40 in less than a week’s time, LeBron James is still one of the best players in the league and can play a massive role in bringing a championship to the Lakers.
But he cannot do that if he doesn’t have the right players around him. The Lakers’ roster needs an overhaul at the end of this season. But for now, Pelinka must bring in a few key pieces to improve the team and give LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and JJ Redick a fighting chance.
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