Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Accused of Scapegoating Russell Westbrook and Wasting LeBron James? Prime by Sharp Tongued Celtics Legend

Rob Pelinka recently signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers that would keep him with the team until the 2025-26 season. After one of the most underwhelming seasons in Lakers history, the franchise reaffirmed its trust in the 52-year-old.

With Darvin Ham taking over the helm and some newly added pieces, the Lakers hope for a bounce-back season. Lakers fans are anticipating that the team’s trust in its vice president of basketball operations and general manager will pay off. However, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce is still attempting to decipher how Pelinka secured a contract extension.

Pierce appears to be disgruntled with the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to tie Pelinka to a contract extension. He rushed to Twitter to vent his displeasure and went on to smother him under a torrent of accusations.

“And I?m still trying to figure out how did Rob Pelinka warrant an extension based on that roster he put together,” Pierce tweeted. The 10-time NBA All-Star is plainly dissatisfied with the team Pelinka put together in the off-season.

He then accused Pelinka of scapegoating Frank Vogel and Russell Westbrook for last season’s shortcomings. Pierce also claimed that the Lakers’ GM has been wasting LeBron James‘ remaining productive years.

In his debut season as a Laker, Westbrook struggled to find his footing. He couldn’t mesh into Vogel’s game plan for his squad. As a result, both were thrown under the bus for the Lakers’ disappointing campaign, whereas James continued to impress and lead by example. However, Pierce feels that Pelinka has failed to surround the four-time champion with the right pieces and hence, has been wasting what he has left in the tank.

The Celtics legend is undoubtedly disappointed by the team’s decision. However, Lakers’ owner and president Jeanie Buss addressed why the team decided to renew Pelinka’s contract.

Jeanie Buss explains why the Lakers renewed Rob Pelinka’s contract

Many were left scratching their heads as the Lakers extended Rob Pelinka’s contract. This came in as a major shocker given the failures of the 2021-22 campaign. In fact, the Lakers’ GM even took the blame for the poor roster construction that wrecked the Lake Show last season.

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Jeanie Buss recently appeared on the ‘Rich Eisen Show’. She explained why they had committed Pelinka to a contract extension there. She claimed that it was to ensure that the new coach, Darvin Ham, will have complete backing from the front office.

Buss added that the goal was to establish a collaboration between the front office and the new head coach. She also stated that this occurred so that the coach knows that there will be a long-term opportunity for success and that it will not be about who is on the hot seat next.

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As the Lakers begin the 2022-23 season, supporters hope that they can rebound from last season’s misery.

How do you think the Lakers will fare this season? Do express your thoughts in the comments section?below.