Lakers reportedly sign general manager Rob Pelinka to extension
The Los Angeles Lakers feel good about the team's direction moving forward. The team reportedly agreed to a contract extension and new job title with general manager Rob Pelinka on Friday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The move comes months after Pelinka, now the team's president of basketball operations, pulled off a trade for Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić. With Dončić — and LeBron James — in tow, the Lakers went 19-13 down the stretch to secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
Pelinka was originally hired by the team in 2017 and has served as its general manager since that season. His hiring proved beneficial immediately, as Pelinka and Magic Johnson were able to persuade James to sign with the Lakers as a free agent ahead of the 2018-19 NBA season. After missing the playoffs that season, Pelinka pulled off a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis. With Davis and James, the Lakers finished 52-19 the next year and won the NBA championship in the Bubble.
In 2020, the team also named Pelinka its vice president of basketball operations. He's filled that role — along with remaining the team's general manager — since 2020.
Since persuading James to sign with the Lakers in free agency, most of Pelinka's moves have revolved around keeping the superstar happy while trying to keep the team in contention. The Davis and Dončić trades accomplished that, as did hiring James' former podcast co-host, JJ Redick, to be the team's head coach. Redick got the job despite having no professional coaching experience. A former player, Redick went into broadcasting following his career and worked with James on the "Mind the Game" podcast before being hired by the Lakers.
Redick signed a multi-year deal to join the Lakers at the time. Pelinka's new deal opens the possibility he and Redick will continue to lead the team for years to come.
Pelinka also drafted James' son, Bronny James, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Bronny has shown flashes as a professional but has struggled to see significant time on the court.
Prior to joining the Lakers, Pelinka served as an agent. Some of his top clients included Lakers star Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady.
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