Lakers Rumors: Rob Pelinka to run head coach search for Luke Walton replacement
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors will frustrate some fans, as Rob Pelinka will reportedly lead the search for a new head coach to replace Luke Walton.
There have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors involving the future of the coaching staff. Those rumors became a reality, as head coach Luke Walton and the organization agreed to part ways.
This is the second change the Lakers will have in a leadership position this week. Right before the Lakers played their regular season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers, president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, resigned from his position.
As a result, there have been plenty of Lakers rumors about the direction of the team. The only person left standing from this, so far, is general manager, Rob Pelinka.
Pelinka is someone that should be lucky to have a job. Had Magic have had his way, Pelinka would be on the unemployment line along with Walton. Instead, Pelinka has remained in the front office and reportedly has the backing of Jeanie Buss and the organization. His power within the organization could also increase as a result of Johnson stepping down.
Keeping Pelinka in the fold looks to be a bad decision based on things people around the league have said. According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, no one trusts Pelinka, making him difficult to work with.
Letting Pelinka go would be the first step, according to anonymous general managers, to turning the team around. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the route that the Lakers will be taking.
Not only does Pelinka have the backing of Jeanie Buss, but he will also reportedly be leading the search for a new head coach to replace Walton.
If there were any plans to actually remove Pelinka from the general manager position, he would not be put in charge of something as important as the head coaching search.
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The only team who operates in such a backward manner is the New York Knicks, who allowed Phil Jackson to run the 2018 NBA Draft before firing him days later. Even now, the Knicks look like a more competent, well-run organization than the Lakers with their cap space and unity in the front office and coaching staff.
As for the Lakers, it looks like they will be holding onto Pelinka. That should take high-ranking front office options to potentially replace Johnson off the board.
It is unlikely someone of the caliber of Bob Myers, who reportedly interested the Lakers, would leave the Golden State Warriors to join an organization with a general manager and head coach already in place that he did not have the opportunity to choose.
This will be something to keep an eye on in the coming days. Right now, former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue is a reported front runner for the Lakers’ job. Former New Orleans Pelicans head coach and current Philadelphia 76ers assistant, Monty Williams, is also expected to be in the running.
Whoever the Lakers choose will have to be someone that can control LeBron James, which gives Lue the edge, as he was the head coach when the Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016.
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However, whoever is chosen, having Pelinka as the one leading the way is the wrong decision for the organization. He has done nothing to assume more power, and if the Lakers want to turn things around quickly. parting ways with Pelinka would be a good first step.