Anthony Davis Shades Rob Pelinka After Lakers Finally Land Center He Asked For Years

Anthony Davis had been asking Rob Pelinka to give him a true center to play alongside throughout the former's time with the Lakers.

Anthony Davis Shades Rob Pelinka After Lakers Finally Land Center He Asked For Years

Anthony Davis and Rob Pelinka (Image via FirstSportz)

Once LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers, it became clear that GM Rob Pelinka was now going to get to use the $50+ million in cap space the 41-year-old was leaving behind.

In the past few years, both the King and his former running mate, Anthony Davis, had been constantly asking the top brass to bring in reinforcements.

That did not happen, and the duo was left to play alongside budget acquisitions, which left both the superstars unhappy. James had indirectly taken shots at Pelinka and his team for not being able to bring in quality players.

They lost a chance to bring in Klay Thompson, and also could not lure other top free agents in the past. Sure, they did bring Russell Westbrook. But even though the blame was mostly on James, Pelinka did not do enough to fix it.

The most common complaint Davis had in his last two years with the franchise was that he preferred to play the four. After the 2020 championship, Rob Pelinka never truly got him a good five to play with.

Anthony Davis practically begged Rob Pelinka to get him a CENTER alongside him for YEARS… Rob didn’t budge. AD got back doored… Bron lowkey got back doored.. and NOW he wanna be a competent GM now that the duo that won you a championship is gone… You can’t make this s**t up LOL.

73-9 and They Lied wrote on X

Anthony Davis noticed this fan post on X and promptly replied to it with laughing emoticons. This definitely was some shade throwin in Rob Pelinka’s direction after finally landing a top-tier center.

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Rob Pelinka signs Walker Kessler to a $130 million contract

This fan post was not the only one shading Rob Pelinka. After he traded with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler, there were quite a few reactions of this kind.

Lakers finally land Walker Kessler
Lakers finally land Walker Kessler (Image via Lakers Daily/X)

It was not surprising, considering the Lakers were linked to the Auburn alum for the past three seasons. Yet, for various reasons, Pelinka never pulled the trigger.

Now, the former Nike executive sent the Jazz two unprotected first-round picks and two more first-round pick swaps. Along with that, he gave the center a four-year, $130 million contract.

Handing a player who has not averaged more than 14.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks a season in his career, $32.5 million in annual salary was eyebrow-raising.

Anthony Davis trolled Rob Pelinka as the GM could have done this when he was there. With that combination, the Lakers could have won another title or two.

But now, the 56-year-old has landed the former Utah Jazz star when both Davis and LeBron James are long gone. No wonder the former decided to shade his former boss.

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Rob Pelinka’s moves leave Lakers without a first-round pick for seven years

After adding Walker Kessler, Rob Pelinka went on to add a few more players to the roster, handing out rich contracts to lure them. After all those moves, this is what is left of them.

The Lakers now have no tradeable first-round draft picks over the next 7 years after this sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler. Los Angeles is now also committed to $475 million between Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler.

Brett Siegel wrote on X

This means that until 2033, the franchise will not be able to draft another first-round talent, something other teams routinely do to keep replenishing their roster with young legs.

Therefore, the GM is gambling on all of this to eventually win him titles. Or, this could become an expensive offseason that would have a lasting impact on the organization. If history repeats itself, as every franchise has faced since LeBron James left, this could likely turn into a disaster.

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