The Los Angeles Lakers front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, is under scrutiny after Bleacher Report named two of his trades among the five worst of the 2020s. This evaluation comes as the team's recent form has slumped, highlighted by a 110-115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 12, 2026, part of a 1-4 stretch where they lost their last four games. Pelinka's tenure, marked by a championship in 2020 and controversial roster moves, faces fresh questions with new ownership entering the picture.
What were the Lakers' worst trades?
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report specifically pointed to the 2021 trade for Russell Westbrook. The Lakers sent out Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and the No. 22 pick in the 2021 draft. Westbrook's fit was problematic from the start. His lack of reliable outside shooting clogged the offense, and the team's net rating was better when he was on the bench. He was traded away less than two years later, making the original deal difficult to justify.
However, Hughes also credited Pelinka with orchestrating what he called the "good side" of a disastrous trade for another team: acquiring Luka Doncic. The Lakers reportedly gave up only Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick. Doncic has become the franchise cornerstone. Davis, meanwhile, has been traded again and continues to struggle with injuries. This move is widely seen as Pelinka's masterstroke.
Why does this matter for the Los Angeles Lakers now?
Pelinka's job security appears shaky despite the Doncic heist. The impending sale of the franchise to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner could lead to a front-office overhaul. The Buss family, who hired Pelinka, is likely to be phased out. Performance will be a major factor. After letting LeBron James walk in free agency and overhauling the roster, Pelinka needs results. The team's 11th-worst defense last season must improve.
If the Lakers aren't in the top six of the Western Conference by the next trade deadline, and if the sale is finalized, Pelinka could be in trouble. The recent 110-115 loss to Oklahoma City and the 1-4 skid underscore the pressure. Fans can track the team's progress in the [standings](/standings) as the season unfolds.
What comes next for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers?
It's likely Pelinka survives the entirety of the upcoming season. The real danger may come in the 2027-28 offseason if the new ownership wants its own people in place. His legacy is a paradox: an Executive of the Year award and a title balanced against what analysts call one of the worst trades of the era.
The roster he built now faces a critical test. Improving perimeter defense and finding consistent scoring beyond Doncic are immediate needs. The front office's decisions will be watched closely, especially with new owners observing. You can follow the roster's composition and any changes on the official [squad](/squad) page. For Pelinka, the next few months are about winning games and, perhaps, saving his job.
