Lakers fans FURIOUS as big Jeanie Buss decision made in search for Luke Walton replacement

The Lakers organisation has overseen a disastrous year in which the team dropped from fourth in the Western Conference to 10th and missed out on the 2019 playoffs.

That was despite adding LeBron James to the roster last summer in a move that they hoped would end a five-year post-season drought and help them make major progress with their young core.

The four-time MVP had not missed the playoffs since his rookie year back in 2005.

But the longest injury of LeBron’s career and the fall-out of the team’s failure to agree a trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis were among the many issues that saw Los Angeles drop off after a promising first few months of the year.

In the latest development, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson abruptly resigned while addressing reporters this week without even informing owner Jeanie Buss of his decision.

Since then, the Lakers have fired head coach Luke Walton as they look to move on from an underwhelming year.

But much to the disappointment of Lakers fans, general manager Pelinka will hold on to his position. 

A recent LA Times report indicated that Pelinka is not respected around the league, with one agent telling Matthew Broderick: “I just don’t see how they do anything going forward with Rob in place. No one trusts him.”

Fans have previously been keen for a big-name executive and the revelation from Tania Gangulia that Pelinka – previously the agent of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant – is the man in charge of their head coach recruitment has not gone down well.

One wrote on Twitter: “@JeanieBuss as long as we fire pelinka we will be happy. Even if you think he isn’t getting a fair wrap there are others who are qualified to run the lakers and IMMEDIATELY around the narrative.”

Another mused: “This franchise just keeps going lower…and lower.”

One NBA fan said: “Holy shit @JeanieBuss this is a all time low smh.”

“Complete disaster,” another one reacted.

One demanded owner Buss take action and said simply: “@JeanieBuss fire Rob! He’s the problem.”

“So the Agent-GM is hiring our futute coach and we may or may not hire another GM/exec to go with/above/below pelinka? Wtf even is this team?” asked one disgruntled fan.

The Lakers are only keeping Pelinka to please Kobe, according to another member of the Laker Nation.

He said: “Seriously, only keeping pelinka so it doesn’t hurt Kobe’s feelings???? I love Kobe but news flash, he doesn’t play for the Lakers anymore so it shouldn’t matter to fire pelinka @JeanieBuss.”

One warned: “Pelinka needs to be gone also. Going nowhere with that guy at the top.”

Another said: “If pelinka is in charge the lakers really need to sit out the top of free agency literally shouldn’t even try ! Just seek out some role players who fit.”

Ty Lue, Monty Williams, Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson are among the names reportedly in the running to replace Walton.