LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers impressed during the opening round of the playoffs, advancing despite missing Luka Dončić entirely and Austin Reaves for large stretches of the series.
But after being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, questions surrounding James’ future have once again intensified.
Former NFL star and analyst Shannon Sharpe, however, believes the scrutiny is being directed at the wrong person.
Shannon Sharpe Questions Rob Pelinka’s Job Security Over Kobe Bryant Ties
Following the Lakers’ second-round exit, much of the conversation has centered on whether the franchise should move forward without James next season. With Dončić sidelined throughout the postseason, criticism quickly shifted toward the 41-year-old superstar.
Instead of blaming James, Sharpe openly questioned the job security of Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
“If Rob Pelinka wasn’t Kobe Bryant’s agent. Would he have that job?” Sharpe asked. “But y’all don’t want to talk about that. All you want to talk about is LeBron got his son on the team. Lebron handpicked this.”
Sharpe also questioned several of Pelinka’s roster decisions over the years, including the Lakers’ draft selections and the lack of defensive depth surrounding the team’s core.
“What about the picks? What about Jalen Hood-Schifino? Where is he? He was your first-round pick a couple of years ago,” he added.
Shannon Sharpe says he can’t wait for LeBron James to leave the Lakers. They’re always quick to blame him for everything, but look at Rob Pelinka and how badly he’s mismanaged the franchise . He only got the job because he’s Kobe Bryant former agent pic.twitter.com/ov2TrV0J59
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Thechat101) May 13, 2026
Pelinka, who served as Bryant’s longtime agent, became the Lakers’ general manager in 2017. He had built close relationships within the organization, including with former president Magic Johnson.
Pelinka later played a key role in bringing James to Los Angeles, though Johnson famously resigned in 2019 and later publicly blamed Pelinka.
Criticizing his roster decisions over the years, Sharpe singled out the Lakers’ defensive shortcomings this season.
While the trio of James, Dončić, and Reaves formed one of the league’s most explosive offensive groups when healthy, the team consistently struggled defensively.
“You’d better get some guys that could defend him (Dončić), whether LeBron is there or not. I’m ready for Lebron to leave, cause all they do is blame him…Nobody was talking about the Lakers till LeBron went there, and he went on his own,” Sharpe said.
Dončić’s acquisition was meant to extend the championship window and ease the burden on James.
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However, injuries derailed that plan completely before the postseason even began, and for the limited time the trio played together, the defensive flaws were evident.
“I’m a Luka fan, I am a Austin Reaves fan… but I’m gonna be watching. I want to see some championships in the next five years,” Sharpe concluded.
James, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has remained quiet about his future. Pelinka recently stated that the organization is giving the superstar time and space to discuss his next move with his family.
It remains to be seen what the Lakers will do if James returns for a 24th season, but several contenders will likely be interested in his services, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who will always linger as a romantic option for a farewell tour for the King.
