In the Lakers vs. Rockets, LA trails thanks to rookie Pelinka pass on picking

The Los Angeles Lakers are having a disastrous first half, but the end of the first quarter was especially a nightmare, as the lineup of D'Angelo Russell, Max Christie, Rui Hachimura, Jarrend Vanderbilt and Christian Wood weren't able to stop the Houston Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore.

At the end of the first quarter the Rockets 42, Lakers 31 as LA had a strong start to the quarter before rookie Cam Whitmore took over. Whitmore, who the Lakers passed on drafting at No. 17, scored the final 12 points of the quarter for Houston to propel them to a double-digit lead.

The Lakers front office led by GM Rob Pelinka passed on the great opportunity of having a player like Whitmore, a rookie the Lakers Nation wanted to be part of a group that is looking to win this year's NBA title. Pelinka went with Jalen Hood-Schifino instead.

The second quarter hasn't been a big improvement for the purple and gold, as the team keeps trailing with 2:32 minutes left in the clock with Houston 71, and Lakers 55, the rookie Whitmore has now scored 16 points in total.

The Lakers also passed on Jaime Jaquez Jr. a RPOY runner-up

Not only did the Lakers pass on selecting Cam Whitmore for JHS, but Pelinka also passed on the No. 18 selection, the Miami Heat's rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. who is a serious contender to win the RPOY alongside Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama.