The Lakers’ first quarter of the season has come with mixed results. They are currently 16-12 and sixth in the Western Conference, riding a three-game win streak after several ugly losses. As with this season, they’re expected to be in the contention conversation, but a string of events has put a key member of their front office into question.
Lakers Exec Trending Toward “Scapegoat” Status, Per Insider
Buha: Pelinka May Be Fall Guy at Season’s End
In a recent episode of his podcast “Buha’s Block,” The Athletic’s Jovan Buha discussed the narrative of a scapegoat for the Lakers’ miscues over the last few seasons, mentioning how Russell Westbrook and Darvin Ham had taken the fall for the team’s previous shortcomings. Now, if the Lakers fall out of contention once again, Buha believes the next scapegoat may come from the top of the organization.
“Last season, all the fingers got pointed at Darvin Ham, basically, for everything that went wrong. And this year, … it’s not really as clear of a scapegoat, and I think, depending on what they do over the next … I think it is going to be [Rob] Pelinka, that’s the way this is trending.”
“It was understandable, maybe a year or two post-Russ, kind of not having the best roster, not getting out of that mess. But, it’s taken several years now.”
The Lakers have been on a rollercoaster ever since reaching the pinnacle of NBA glory in 2020, from being bounced in the first-round the following season due to injuries to making the Western Conference Finals after a 2-10 start in 2023. Pelinka, the Lakers’ General Manager since March of 2017, has seen it all while leading the purple and gold. Fans did not expect the Lakers’ title luck to run out after 2020, which is part of why the years since have been disappointing for many.
“Scapegoat” Argument Holds Up
Pelinka has embarked on several bold ventures to improve the Lakers, from the failed Westbrook experiment to hiring first-time head coaches in consecutive appointments. He seemingly believed all of these avenues would lead to sustained Laker excellence, but so far, that has not been the case.
Former Lakers have expressed time and again that, if the 2019-20 team stuck together, fans would see more than 17 banners hanging from Crypto.com Arena. And to an extent, they’re correct. Pelinka’s roster construction has come under fire for that reason, among others. Since 2020, he has been unable to assemble a solid supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis—let alone one that can legitimately contend in a crowded Western Conference. His choices have also led to the Lakers losing young players and watching them flourish on other teams (e.g. letting Alex Caruso walk in free agency or waiving former two-way players Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff—who are now thriving with the Grizzlies). And where rival teams appear to be moving the needle with trades, the Lakers have stayed pat, with Pelinka claiming, “You can’t buy a house that’s not for sale,” among other sayings.
The agent-turned-exec has had many chances to prove himself in the driver’s seat of the Lakers’ decisions. Aside from the 2020 championship, he has fallen short in several respects, making this season arguably the most important one of his GM career. With James set to turn 40 in a week and a 31-year-old Davis playing at an award-winning level, Pelinka has all the motivation he needs to truly maximize their championship window. Even with some players proving to be pivotal pieces under Redick, there’s always room for improvement, which Pelinka and the Lakers brass must capitalize on in the coming months.
The Last Word on Rob Pelinka
The Lakers staying dormant at this year’s deadline may be costly for them, but particularly Pelinka, whose actions (and, at times, lack thereof) have put him into these conversations in the first place. As he goes through his eighth year as LA’s GM, Pelinka must prove he can steer the Lakers towards the league’s biggest stage once again—especially if he doesn’t want this season to, potentially, be his last.
