‘Rob Pelinka Is Awful’ — Lakers Fans Furious as Clippers Steal Top Free-Agent Center Brook Lopez on $18 Million Deal

After the Mark Williams fiasco, the Los Angeles Lakers failed to pick a center in the 2025 NBA Draft and were put into a corner heading into free agency. The whole league knew they were desperate for a center, and there were reports that some teams were even taking advantage of that.

While Pelinka hasn’t given in to any trade yet, the chances of him doing so are increasing as one of the Lakers’ top free-agent targets has been stolen by the Los Angeles Clippers in the early hours of free agency. Brook Lopez was linked with a move to Los Angeles all through the offseason, but as the Clippers come out on top, the Lakers’ fanbase is fuming on the internet.

Rob Pelinka Faces Heat as Brook Lopez Agrees To Sign With Clippers Instead of Lakers

With two generational ball handlers and playmakers in Luka Dončić and LeBron James, a rim-running center like Lopez was deemed the ideal play for the Lakers. ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst recently reported that the former Milwaukee Bucks star was the top priority free agent for the Lakers, and it is no surprise the fans are fuming now over the missed opportunity.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Lopez and the Clippers agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract, which was absolutely affordable for the Lakers as well. A couple of million more could have swayed Lopez to the other side of Los Angeles, and the fans are now blaming Pelinka.

“Oh my…. Rob Pelinka is awful,” one fan declared.

Oh my….

Rob Pelinka is awful.

— Jake Hurricane (@BigJakeCLE) June 30, 2025

“Pelinka fell asleep again 😭😭😭,” another fan joked.

pelinka fell asleep again 😭😭😭

— 🇦🇺 | 🐺 (@HoodieNaz_) June 30, 2025

Adding Lopez would have given the Lakers much-needed rim protection, floor spacing, and veteran leadership after the Lakers were left without a true big man last season, which hindered Dončić and James from playing to the best of their abilities. With Pelinka yet to find any answers, one fan couldn’t help but write,  “LAKERS IN SHAMBLES.”

Here are some other reactions from dejected Lakers fans:

“Rob made that Luka trade and now he think he is safe,” wrote one fan.

“LAKERS AINT GETTING A CENTER IM CRYING,” a second wrote

“I don’t even have a bull**it tweet for this I’m just sad,” a third wrote.

While Lopez was a top free-agent target for the Lakers, it’s worth noting that he wouldn’t have been a perfect fit with Dončić, who needs a young lob threat. Additionally, the Lakers could be trying to build around Dončić, and if that’s the case, signing a 37-year-old Lopez doesn’t make much sense then.

We are still early in the free agency, and there’s every chance Pelinka will be negotiating with multiple candidates at the moment. In terms of who they are most likely to sign after Lopez, Deandre Ayton, who was bought out yesterday by the Portland Trail Blazers, stands out as a likely candidate.