All articles tagged with #rob pelinka
The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Rohan Ramadas as the first of two assistant general managers, placing him on the strategy/analytics side under president Rob Pelinka as the front office expands. Ramadas comes from the New Orleans Pelicans with a background in analytics and operations (and aerospace engineering), and the team plans a second assistant GM to handle player/draft evaluation.
LeBron James spent a season as a third option behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, missed Opening Night due to injury, and felt undervalued when Rob Pelinka handed the game ball to JJ Redick after a milestone win. Despite the tension, there’s mutual interest in his return next season, and the Lakers showed they can contend when he embraced the third-option role, leaving a pivotal offseason with several moving parts.
At Lakers exit interviews, the team signaled it wants LeBron James and Austin Reaves to return next season to team up with Luka Dončić, with James weighing whether to play another year or retire and Reaves opting out of his $14.8 million contract; Pelinka said the organization intends to honor James and keep Reaves, while continuing to build around Dončić, who led the league in scoring and signed a three-year, $165 million extension last summer.
The Los Angeles Lakers hired former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as a draft advisor to GM Rob Pelinka; Bennett will not run the draft room but will bring his experience spotting players with toughness, energy, and IQ to help the Lakers rebuild their young core.
Rob Pelinka is expected to remain Lakers GM as long as Jeanie Buss is in charge, with his future tied to her leadership and the team's ongoing management stability, especially following recent ownership and roster developments.
The Los Angeles Lakers met with Luka Doncic and his manager to discuss building a team around him, including strategies for navigating the NBA's new collective bargaining rules and potential contract extensions, signaling their commitment to making him the centerpiece of their future roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Adou Thiero, a promising defensive and athletic forward, in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, trading up to secure him and expressing high expectations for his potential to contribute to the team's success, drawing comparisons to OG Anunoby and emphasizing patience for his development.
The Los Angeles Lakers are intensifying their search for a new head coach, with New Orleans assistant coach James Borrego scheduled for in-person interviews. Borrego, who has a strong reputation for his offensive strategies, is among several candidates being considered, including former NBA player JJ Redick and assistants Sam Cassell and Jared Dudley. The search, led by Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, is crucial as the team looks to fill the vacancy following the firing of Darvin Ham.
The Philadelphia 76ers inquired about LeBron James' availability with the Lakers, to which Rob Pelinka responded by asking if Joel Embiid was available in return. Despite speculation about his future, LeBron has expressed focus on the Lakers and is expected to return in the offseason, although other teams may still pursue him.
Spencer Dinwiddie chose to join the Los Angeles Lakers over the Dallas Mavericks after being traded to the Toronto Raptors and subsequently waived. He cited the Lakers' winning mentality and the pressure to perform for his hometown team as reasons for his decision. Dinwiddie was impressed by Lakers' vice president Rob Pelinka and felt the vibe was right with the team. He will be available to play against the Detroit Pistons and is expected to acclimate quickly with the help of coach Darvin Ham.
The Lakers chose not to make any trades at the NBA deadline, a decision that pleased the team's management but left LeBron James disappointed. By refusing to trade valuable assets for marginal improvements, the Lakers signaled a shift away from prioritizing immediate success over long-term sustainability. This decision could potentially lead to James leaving the team after this season, as he seeks another championship opportunity elsewhere. The team's future now hinges on building around younger stars and maintaining financial flexibility, while James faces the challenge of leading a team that may not meet his championship aspirations.
Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie is set to join the Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers, following his trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the Toronto Raptors and subsequent release. The 10-year veteran, who attended the Lakers' recent game, is expected to provide playmaking and depth to the team, reuniting with former teammate D'Angelo Russell. Dinwiddie, a Los Angeles native, chose the Lakers over the Mavericks and will make approximately $1.5 million for the remainder of the season.
Despite rumors and speculation, the Los Angeles Lakers chose not to make any moves at the NBA trade deadline, with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka explaining that they were confident in the current roster and didn't find any deals that would significantly upgrade the team. Pelinka emphasized the importance of continuity and hinted at potential moves in the upcoming draft, expressing confidence in the team's ability to compete and citing their strong performance in the In-Season Tournament as evidence.
The Los Angeles Lakers chose to stay put at the NBA trade deadline, despite fielding numerous offers and seeking ways to upgrade their roster. The team was cautious about emptying its asset cupboard and faced limited interest in their players during trade talks. Now, the Lakers plan to be aggressive in the buyout market and are eyeing Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Lowry as potential backup point guard options. Looking ahead, the Lakers aim to use their three available first-round picks this summer to pursue a star via trade, with Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, and Kyrie Irving being potential targets.
Los Angeles Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka explained the team's inactivity at the trade deadline, stating that the right move wasn't available despite efforts to improve the team. The Lakers opted not to trade their only movable future draft pick for a "marginal" improvement and plan to fill their open roster spot through the buyout market. They are considered front-runners to sign guard Spencer Dinwiddie and are focused on getting healthy before making a playoff push, with LeBron James emphasizing his commitment to lead the team regardless of the roster.