The Los Angeles Lakers are set to extend Robert Pelinka’s tenure until 2026.
The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history last season. The storied NBA franchise failed to qualify for the Play-Offs, a season which has caused them to hire a new head coach and look to make the most of LeBron James’ twilight years of his career. They have chosen Rob Pelinka to help them through this transitional phase.
Pelinka, the Lakers’ vice president of basketball operations and general manager, signed a contract extension in the offseason that will take him through the 2025-26 season, league sources confirmed to ESPN. According to sources, the contract was agreed around the time Darvin Ham was hired as the Lakers’ new coach in June – making him the 28th Lakers coach in history.
Pelinka joined the Lakers in 2017 after having represented Kobe Bryant as his agent for most of his career until then. His agenda upon joining was to undo some mistakes made by the previous regime and he undid a majority of them – and he also was the General Manager when the Lakers signed LeBron James as a free agent.
Even though there have been highs in Pelinka’s reign, not everything has been picture perfect.
The tenure under Rob Pelinka has had its fair share of highs and lows.
He was promoted from GM and given the title of VP of basketball operations in January 2020 after he presided over the team’s free agent signing of James in July 2018 and trade for Anthony Davis in June 2019. The Lakers won the championship that season, amidst franchise legend Kobe Bryant dying in a tragic car crash and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, not everything in Pelinka’s reign has been smooth sailing. The Lakers have failed to make the playoffs in four out of six seasons since Pelinka joined the front office, including twice since signing James.
Pelinka’s reign has also been plagued by several head coaches being shown the door and legend Magic Johnson’s abrupt resignation from the front office.
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