Lakers GM Rob Pelinka gets SLAMMED by Nick Wright for denying LeBron James star free agents

Los Angeles Lakers have not signed any player amongst their list of potential fits.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka gets SLAMMED by Nick Wright for denying LeBron James star free agents

Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka gets SLAMMED by Nick Wright for not signing star free agents to help LeBron James

Ever since the free agency period officially opened, the first thoughts were who the Los Angeles Lakers would target. Their leading superstar LeBron James was willing to take a pay cut so that a top free agent could be signed. However, once the dominoes started falling, it was clear that none of the superstars the Lakers were targeting were going to wear the purple and gold jersey. That led analyst, Nick Wright to take a shot at GM Rob Pelinka.

Klay Thompson, with whom LeBron James recruited personally, signed with the Dallas Mavericks. To this, Nick Wright on a segment of First Things First on FS1 said:

I am baffled at the total inability of Rob Pelinka to get anything done, ever. You have a scenario where the greatest player of this generation says, 'I'll take a pay cut'.
Nick Wright on First Things First on FS1

Wright was clear when saying that GM Rob Pelinka has been unable to bring what James has wanted. Something that was also evident in the previous trade deadline.

FS Video

The Lakers had 3 primary targets heading into free agency. All 3 of them have signed with other teams. However, out of them, Klay Thompson was the one that was considered to be the best, fit-wise, for James.

Yes, being with the Mavericks means the 3-and-D specialist can avoid paying taxes. But he took less money to play for the Dallas Mavericks. Suggesting that Pelinka has some blame in this entire matter.

Rob Pelinka needs to pull some magic before free agency ends

With the way free agency is going, all other teams in the East and West have leapfrogged the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA Finalist Dallas Mavericks have become better with Thompson’s addition. The Minnesota Timberwolves have used the draft to get better. Then the Oklahoma City Thunder added two important pieces that will elevate their game.

All in all, the leading teams in the West have improved. But so have teams in the East, with major trades and signings ensuring the quality of competition improves drastically. That leaves the Los Angeles Lakers lagging behind. They are looking far less as championship contenders compared to last season.

Suggesting, that Rob Pelinka may have to salvage the situation and get quality players in to complement LeBron James. If not, they will be wasting their leading superstar’s final years battling in the 1st or 2nd rounds.

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