Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers news and rumors, Lakers mock draft, JT Toppin
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General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently trying to find a realistic path towards competing for an NBA Championship. Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves make up an impressive trio that could dominate offensively on any given night. However, defensive woes and a lack of overall depth have seen the Lakers criticized for needing a couple more moves before they can provide a real threat to opposing Western Conference favorites.
A former Lakers scout anonymously revealed to Lakers Daily that they think General Manager Rob Pelinka is the biggest problem:
“This year’s roster is so poorly constructed around Luka, LeBron, and Austin. It makes my eyes hurt. Rob just doesn’t know how to build a contender. And he’s saving cap space and draft picks for 2026 and 2027 instead of trying to trade for two-way guys this season when Luka, LeBron, and Austin are playing so well? Sounds like the Rob I know.”
The scout believes that Pelinka is going to stand pat and refuse to make any big moves ahead of the trade deadline. Any team with the fire power the Lakers currently have would typically be active at the market. However, rumors have indicated that Pelinka is expected to be conservative this season and build the future roster construction around Luka.
Scout Lacks Confidence In Rob Pelinka
The quotes from the scout claim that Pelinka is the problem and that he often makes the wrong move. Magic Johnson was even named by the scout as someone that should advise the Lakers to find a new basketball executive to lead them through this new era with Doncic as the face of the franchise.
“Having worked with Rob before, I just don’t trust him at all to build a team that can win a championship in the Luka era,” the former Lakers scout bluntly shared. “They have to find a new basketball exec if they want to win a ring with Luka. I hope Magic [Johnson] has told Mark [Walter] that.”
In fairness to Pelinka, there are major limitations for the Lakers on the trade market. Opposing teams must settle for Dalton Knecht as the only real young piece they can offer, along with flawed veterans. The Lakers can trade some distant first round draft picks, but Pelinka is playing it safe to avoid losing their other future assets.
Should The Lakers Keep Rob Pelinka?
Pelinka initially got his Lakers executive job by growing closer to the franchise as one of Kobe Bryant’s closest confidants. Other NBA minds have criticized Pelinka’s background in agenting as not worthy of making basketball decisions.
Some credit does go Pelinka’s way since the Lakers 2020 NBA Championship came under his regime. However, many would say that LeBron and Anthony Davis as the top two players would lead many flawed rosters to a title.
The Lakers have made one Western Conference Finals since then, but they’ve been unable to reach the NBA Finals. Pelinka lucked into the Luka trade, so the clock may be ticking. Los Angeles must contend in the next few years or Pelinka’s job may be in jeopardy.