A year ago, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka found himself in the limelight when he helped orchestrate the trade that brought Luka Doncic to the purple and gold squad. Now, it appears that not even this blockbuster deal makes Pelinka immune to major changes in the Lakers organization.
According to Lakers beat writer Dan Woike, the Lakers are expected to “start building the necessary components of a modern front office and reap early benefits.” Woike explained that the Lakers’ plan to add “significant hires to a wide range of front-office positions” is inspired by the LA Dodgers’ framework in the MLB.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of Woike’s report was the sound bite offered by a “rival executive” when describing the potential moves by the Lakers franchise, which was acquired by new majority owner Mark Walter for a $10 billion valuation last year. “It’s going to be scary,” this rival executive reportedly said.
Pelinka, of course, is the most prominent figure of the Lakers front office. It’s possible, then, that the 56-year-old former agent of the late Kobe Bryant could find himself in a difficult situation after the 2025-26 campaign.
To Pelinka’s credit, he has made some interesting roster tweaks this season, bringing in Deandre Ayton to shore up the frontcourt and trading Gabe Vincent for Luke Kennard. The postseason performance of his current Lakers squad (bannered by Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves) could very well determine whether Pelinka keeps his job as GM.
“He’s Underachieving”: Podcaster Takes Shots at Lakers HC for Coming Up Short in the Playoffs
Meanwhile, player-turned-podcaster Rashad McCants recently took shots at another key Lakers figure.
According to McCants, the Lakers’ ceiling is not where it needs to be with JJ Redick as head coach.
“When Darvin Ham left, [the Lakers] were in the Western Conference finals,” McCants said last week on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast. “JJ [came and took over, they haven’t been back… He’s underachieving.”
In Redick’s second season with the Lakers, his team has a chance to once again clinch homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Whether or not they can capitalize this time is another matter altogether.
