Latest news with #Pelinka
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Fans Upset Over Rob Pelinka News on Tuesday
On Tuesday, the NBA announced that Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti was named the 2024-25 Executive of the Year. Presti received 10 first-place votes, totaling 74 points, and appeared on 22 of the 30 ballots. His strategic moves, including the acquisition of key players like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, contributed to the Thunder's impressive 68-14 record, securing the best record in the NBA and the top seed in the Western Conference. Advertisement However, the announcement sparked frustration among Los Angeles Lakers fans, as their general manager, Rob Pelinka, finished sixth in the voting with just one first-place vote. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) with general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ A. Vasquez-Imagn Images This outcome was particularly surprising given Pelinka's midseason blockbuster trade that brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, a move widely regarded as one of the most impactful in recent NBA history. Per the NBA, Pelinka finished behind Presti, Koby Altman, Trajan Langdon, Rafael Stone and Lawrence Frank. Lakers fans took to social media to express their discontent. One commented, "Lakers will always be hated on!" Another questioned, "Everyone said that Luka was the steal of the century and Pelinka doesn't win this? How? ... These voters are a joke." Advertisement Yet another added, "How does Rob get only ONE first-place vote when he pulled off the biggest trade in NBA history? Make that make sense." "ROB PELINKA AT 6?!?! THE NBA NEEDS TO FIX THIS," exclaimed another. The Lakers concluded the 2024-25 regular season with a 50-32 record, clinching the Pacific Division title. However, their postseason run was cut short with a first-round playoff exit, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. LA aims to build a more cohesive team around Doncic and LeBron James, striving to return to championship contention in the upcoming season. Related: Luka Doncic Makes Major Decision After Lakers' Loss to Timberwolves Related: Lakers Fans React to Giannis Antetokounmpo's First Post After Bucks' Loss
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rob Pelinka Reveals What Type Of Center The Lakers Will Look For This Offseason
Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka acknowledged the team's dire need of a center heading into the offseason. While speaking at the Lakers' end-of-season press conference, Pelinka outlined the type of center the team would be looking to acquire. "In terms of center traits, it would be great to have a center that was a vertical threat, a lob threat, and someone that can protect the interior defensively. I think those would be keys." Advertisement "But there are multiple types of centers that could be effective in the league. There's also spread centers that can protect the rim, we'll look at those as well. So I wouldn't want to limit the archetype, but we know we need a big man." Pelinka's comments point to an obvious flaw in the Lakers' roster that needs to be addressed. The lack of a functional big man was made glaringly apparent in the Lakers-Wolves series as Minnesota's size and length proved to be too much for the Purple and Gold to overcome. The Lakers' lack of size was something that was called out by their star LeBron James at the end of Game 5 as well. James avoided blatantly speaking about the Lakers' roster issues but pointed to how their former big man, Anthony Davis, was traded the moment he addressed the team's need for a center. In some capacity, the Lakers had attempted to bring in a center around the time of the Davis trade. The Purple and Gold almost completed a trade to see Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams join the side. However, they rescinded the trade shortly after. Advertisement Although it was claimed to be due to medical issues, recent claims suggested that the Lakers felt like they were overpaying for Williams. Left without a functional big man in their rotation, the Purple and Gold proceeded to adapt to playing with Jaxson Hayes as the starting center. As things stand, the Lakers have been linked to a lot of centers who could potentially bolster their rotation. Pelinka's statement presents the template for two very different types of centers - a stretch big man, who can provide floor spacing, and an athletic big man, who can act as a lob threat. However, the most important detail that the team is likely to be on the lookout for is a center who can also act as a rim protector. Trading Davis had a massive impact on the Lakers' internal defense. As one of the premier defensive players in the league, the former Lakers center used to shut down the basket for opposing teams. The team has currently been tied to players such as Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, and Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, among others. Advertisement Replicating Davis' defensive work is going to prove to be a challenge. However, this offseason will require the front office to put in this kind of work if they hope to be contenders next season. With Luka Doncic's contract extension due in August and LeBron James' tentative future in the NBA emerging as pressing matters to be addressed, the Purple and Gold will have their hands full. Related: Brook Lopez Is Favorite To Become The Lakers' Starting Center Next Season
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers prepare for offseason rebuild after playoff exit
Down and out: the Los Angeles Lakers are set for a roster rebuild after their disappointing NBA playoff exit (Harry How) Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said Thursday the franchise is preparing for a busy summer as the club looks to rebuild its roster after a bitterly disappointing first round exit in the NBA playoffs. The Lakers bowed out of the postseason in front of their home fans on Wednesday, losing 103-96 as the Minnesota Timberwolves wrapped up an emphatic 4-1 series victory. Advertisement The manner of the series defeat -- the second year running the Lakers have exited in the first round -- highlighted the flaws in a squad which had arguably flattered to deceive by finishing third in the Western Conference behind the offensive potency of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The arrival in Doncic in February in a jaw-dropping trade from Dallas breathed new life into the Lakers' regular season campaign. But the departure of Anthony Davis in the same deal left the Lakers desperately short of physical heft at both ends of the court, a weakness that was ruthlessly exposed by the Timberwolves and their giant French center Rudy Gobert. Pelinka said Thursday the Lakers had been forced to improvise their roster construction after Doncic's arrival, but now planned to spend the offseason taking a more considered approach to the rebuild -- with the acquisition of a big man the top priority. Advertisement "When you make a seismic trade at the deadline, it's kind of like trying to build an airplane in the sky," Pelinka told reporters. "Now we have a chance to land the plane, put it in the hangar and really try and figure out what we need to retrofit and change, and that's what we'll do. "It's very clear that this team and this roster needs more size and needs a center position. That's a very clear and obvious byproduct of trading potentially the best big in the league to Dallas to get a point guard. "Of course, that's going to open up a huge hole. And as I said before, the trade deadline and the moments up to it don't allow you the requisite time to explore every single unturned stone to add a big to our roster. Advertisement "We just didn't have the time after the Luka trade. But now we do." - 'Incredible promise' - While the 40-year-old James would not confirm on Wednesday how much longer he plans to play in the NBA, Pelinka indicated that he expects the veteran superstar to be part of the Lakers' plans in future alongside Doncic and Reaves. "I think those three guys have incredible promise playing together," Pelinka said. "And we will collectively do a better job to make sure they're surrounded with the right pieces to have ultimate success. We're going to put in the work to allow that group of guys to win a championship." Advertisement While some of the tactical and personnel decisions made by the Lakers' rookie head coach JJ Redick in the Timberwolves series have come under scrutiny, Pelinka said the organization continued to have full confidence in the 40-year-old. "He's a great partner to work with, and he has an incredible basketball mind," Pelinka said of Redick. "That's exciting for the Lakers and our fanbase for the future." Redick meanwhile hinted he plans to put the Lakers through a grueling offseason fitness regime, stating the squad needed to be in "championship shape." "I'll start with the offseason and the work that's required in an offseason to be in championship shape," Redick said. "And we have a ways to go as a roster. Certainly, there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape. "There's certainly other ones that could have been in better shape. That's where my mind goes immediately is we have to get in championship shape." rcw/bb
