LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers announced a major move to their front office one day before Game 1 tip-off against the Timberwolves, signing general manager Rob Pelinka to a long-term contract extension on Friday afternoon.
Los Angeles made the extension official moments after ESPN's Shams Charania announced the news.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Rob Pelinka to a contract extension, with his new title as president of basketball operations along with general manager, sources tell ESPN. Lakers leadership is now signed long-term with Pelinka and coach JJ Redick. pic.twitter.com/BCpZNgxCzE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 18, 2025
The extension also comes with a promotion. The Lakers promoted Pelinka to president of basketball operations, dropping the "vice" title he's held since 2020.
"For eight seasons, I have relied on Rob's vision and leadership to do what's best for the Lakers organization," Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in the presser. "I value his partnership and professionalism and believe in his ability to deliver championship-caliber basketball for Los Angeles and Lakers fans everywhere."
As the front office's shot caller since 2017, Pelinka has helped orchestrate a championship in 2020 and has turned around a disappointing Russell Westbrook back in 2021 by slowly (and carefully with lots of patience) putting together a championship team under first-year head coach JJ Redick.
That championship aspiration ignited when Pelinka pulled off a trade in bringing perennial superstar Luka Dončić to L.A. for Anthony Davis back in February. Since joining, Dončić and LeBron James have slowly built a cohesiveness on the floor, alongside Austin Reaves, who has been one of, if not the NBA's third-best option.
The Lakers (50-32) finished third in the West with a 50-32 record, their highest seeding since hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in 2020. Now, their journey starts on Saturday with home court advantage and a huge championship buzz.
