The Lakers are finalizing a multiyear deal that will see Rob Pelinka assume the role of general manger, says Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. With the February 23 trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the player agent will necessarily “start soon.”
[RELATED: Lakers restructure front office; Mitch Kupchak, Jim Buss out]
Citing a need for an individual with a comprehensive understanding of the CBA, salary cap and modern NBA, newly hired president of basketball operations Magic Johnson made the decision to bring Pelinka aboard to fill the vacancy opened up when Mitch Kupchak was relieved of his duties earlier today.
While Pelinka is expected to handle day-to-day matters for the Lakers, Johnson figures to retain the final say on roster moves and other major decisions.
As we discussed in a post earlier today when Pelinka was being floated as the frontrunner for the job, the long-time agent will need to divest himself from the representation business. While Pelinka represents many current NBA players, including MVP candidate James Harden, his most notable client in relation to his new role is former Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. Such familiarity with the Lakers enterprise will suit Pelinka well in his new role, tweets Wojnarowski.
Pelinka has no previous front office experience but that didn’t dissuade Johnson from making the decision. Per Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, Johnson referenced the recent success of Bob Myers and the Warriors when asked if such a dearth of experience could be an issue.
I don’t know how to feel about this, he’s an agent. Both my football and basketball teams have new GMs with no experience.
Let me guess, lakers and 9ers
The magic hiring is what you should be worried about. Agents are usually very knowledgeable about Basketball as it is their job to know. Plus this dude is a very well respected guy who has been doing this for 20+ years
Your teams? So local teams? At the YMCA? I didn’t know YMCA teams had General Managers.
Maybe he fired his fantasy team GMs
Good one
Agents are hardly something to worry about. Its an unorthodox move, but they technically have a leg up in terms of the relationships they built with players (as well as a disadvantage if they ever rubbed a potential client the wrong way) and they know what other agents think. It’s definitely a bold move, but not necessarily one I would be too worried about.
Magic + Pelinka is a good match. Put their experience and qualities together and you have a super GM.
Magic and his aids will help Lakers