Los Angeles Lakers front office underwent a major shakeup today, a few months before some expected it to happen. The team fired general manager Mitch Kupchak and also relieved Jim Buss of his duties as executive vice president, but he remains an owner of the team. Team owner Jeanie Buss made the move and declared that it was something they absolutely needed to do.
But the Lakers also said in their announcement that they would be looking for a new general manager. It appears the man for that job is super agent Rob Pelinka. He the representative for many NBA stars including Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Chris Bosh, Eric Gordon, Andre Iguodala, Avery Bradley, Shabazz Muhammad, Marquese Chriss and Buddy Hield just to name a few.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports detailed the rumored Pelinka move and also included that the Lakers had their eye on Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers.
After sweeping front-office changes to hire Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise is strongly considering agent Rob Pelinka to become general manager, league sources told The Vertical.
Pelinka has been one of the NBA’s top player agents and has strong ties to the franchise through his relationship with longtime client Kobe Bryant and owner Jeanie Buss. Pelinka is at the top of a short list of candidates to become the top day-to-day executive, sources said.
Before the Lakers fired Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss on Tuesday, the franchise had already moved away from trying to pursue the Golden State Warriors’ Bob Myers, the franchise’s original top target for general manager, league sources told The Vertical.
After Myers signed a recent contract extension, it became clear to Lakers brass that it would be unable to lure Myers, league sources said.
Lakers assistant general manager Ryan West has a strong relationship and history with Pelinka, and would likely be considered a significant part of a new front-office regime, league sources said.
Woj then shortly followed up his original story with the report that the two sides were agreeing to a deal to name Pelinka their new general manager.
Lakers are finalizing a multi-year agreement with agent Rob Pelinka as general manager, league sources tell @TheVertical. He'll start soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 21, 2017
Pelinka's been prominent agent for years, holds strong relationships w/ league execs, engineered deals, recruiting in deep '17 draft class.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 21, 2017
Pelinka's history repping Lakers – including Kobe – offers him knowledge of unique Lakerland/Buss family dynamics. Lakers a different beast.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 21, 2017
Eric Gordon also confirmed his agent was going to be named Lakers GM at practice earlier today.
Eric Gordon on his agent Rob Pelinka: "He is going to be the GM of the @Lakers. I think he's going to be good." pic.twitter.com/WM7nxzc5q8
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 21, 2017
Pelinka still needs to go through the formalities of moving away from being an agent into a role of general manager. Another superstar agent, Arn Tellem, also underwent the same process not too long ago when he joined the Detroit Pistons front office. Woj also reports that Pelinka is in the process of turning over his agency.
Sources: Pelinka turning his agency — Landmark Sports — over to his employees, including Brandon Rosenthal, Diana Day and Erika Williams.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 22, 2017
Pelinka turning Landmark Sports to employees in short-term – and sale could come in longer-term. Staff will handle players in short-term.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 22, 2017
