Lakers urged to fire general manager Rob Pelinka after flawed trade season

The Los Angeles Lakers got better on Thursday. 

By swapping disappointing veteran guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick for proven Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Luke Kennard, the organization filled its perimeter shooting void. 

However, the Lakers’ roster is still flawed, and because Los Angeles failed to address its other needs, Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes it’s time for the franchise to move on from general manager Rob Pelinka.

“The Los Angeles Lakers must move on from Rob Pelinka after he traded Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick for Luke Kennard ahead of the deadline,” Watts wrote Thursday.

“He failed to address his team's two biggest needs. They sit 25th in defensive rating. The purple and gold desperately needed a perimeter defensive stopper and a rim protector. Instead, they got a shooter known for his subpar defense and struggles to impact winning in the playoffs.”

“Luka Doncic has thrived playing with floor spacers. Kennard is an elite shooter, but his volume was down in Atlanta. Fans are glad to see Gabe Vincent go after a disastrous tenure in LA. The Lakers hope Kennard shoots more in a new uniform, but this continues a troubling trend for Pelinka.”

Whether Lakers fans like it or not, Watts does make a compelling argument. While acquiring Leonard was a must-have move from a three-point shooting standpoint, it won’t magically help Los Angeles tighten up their on-ball and low-post defense. 

We all witnessed what happened to the Lakers in last year’s postseason, with no defense to speak of. For those who need a refresher, Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves got paint touches whenever they wanted, and Rudy Gobert was dominant in the franchise’s first-round win over the Lakers. 

History could easily repeat itself this postseason, which explains why Watts is frustrated with Pelinka following the end of the trade season. 

Time will tell if landing Kennard will be enough to help the Lakers advance further in the playoffs come April.

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