Rumors

The plan, according to Pelinka and sources, is for the Lakers to expand its front office around the president of basketball operations by reforming its college scouting staff, building a modern pro scouting department and adding to its existing analytics department. The goal is to mirror the Los Angeles Dodgers’ successful front office, which has mastered player identification and development, in addition to working with a seemingly unlimited payroll.

New York Times

Michael Scotto: The Los Angeles Lakers have named Tony Bennett as NBA Draft advisor to President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. Bennett, a three-time national coach of the year recipient (2007, 2015, 2018), was the University of Virginia’s head coach from 2009-2024.

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Khobi Price: The Lakers have announced the hiring of former Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor to president of basketball operations/GM Rob Pelinka.

Twitter

Benjamin Royer: Says Tony Bennett: “When Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization. The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.”

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Benjamin Royer: Lakers GM/PoBo Rob Pelinka on why the Lakers hired Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft Advisor: “As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource,” Pelinka said. “Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. Tony will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, to our scouts and to our draft department as a whole.”

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Dan Woike: In a conversation with reporters, new Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen says the plan is for Rob Pelinka, with input from Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi, will continue to handle basketball operations. Pelinka told reporters the plan is to have an expanded front office this summer.

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Dave McMenamin: The Lakers continued their “Genius Talks” series with a field trip to Riviera Country Club on Saturday for the Genesis Invitational, with Rob Pelinka arranging a visit and address from Tiger Woods for the team (📸: @Lakers)

Twitter

Pelinka declared before the start of this season that he would love it if James retired a Laker, and, sources told ESPN, that sentiment was meant to reflect a 2026 retirement or a 2027 retirement, if James intends to extend his career. If James were to return, his salary would be a major factor in determining exactly what kind of team L.A. could build.

ESPN

Khobi Price: Referencing Mark Walter and the Lakers' new majority ownership group, Rob Pelinka said, "there is no expense they'll spare in being the best sort of front office in the world...I think now we'll have an opportunity just with extra resources that Mark brings to build it out and become even better. So that's going to be an exciting thing for us in the offseason that Jeanie and I will lead."

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So, Lakers coach JJ Redick and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka were asked if Luka Doncic would be able to play in the All-Star Game or if it would be best for him to rest. “I’ve been around him as a teammate and as a coach and I know he plays. If he’s able to play, he plays. I think he wants to be in the All-Star Game,” Redick said. “I know he wants to play against Dallas, the game before the All-Star Game. He has his team working on him day and night. So again, it’s day-to-day and when he’s ready to play, we’ll get him out there.”

Los Angeles Times

“Luka, one of his greatest qualities is when he has an injury or he’s unavailable for a game, he is deeply upset,” said Pelinka, who spoke to the media for the first time since September. “He just can’t stand not playing basketball. He loves the game so much and wants to play every night. And that’s an incredible quality. Just a player who’s like fighting and clawing to play versus looking for a reason maybe not to. So we commend Luka for that. In terms of this injury, the good news is it doesn’t appear to be anything serious. It was a mild hamstring strain and he is truly day-to-day.”

Los Angeles Times

Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' president of basketball operations and general manager, detailed the working relationship before the Lakers played the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Pelinka was speaking to reporters for the first time since Dodgers owner Mark Walter's purchase of the Lakers at a $10 billion valuation became official in late October. "[It's] been great to have sort of outside allies and advocates looking at the Dodgers and the success they've had and what they've built over there, and being able to tap into a person like Andrew Friedman for best practices," Pelinka said.

ESPN

Pelinka said the Lakers would follow the Dodgers' lead, and he plans to hire executives around him. "[The Dodgers], just the way they've sort of built out their front office, how deep it is -- there is no expense they'll spare in being the best sort of front office in the world," Pelinka said.

ESPN

Dave McMenamin: Rob Pelinka on the trade deadline: “I would say we were aggressive. And one form of being aggressive is saying no to moves that come your way that might not be best for the short- and long-term future.”

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