Rob Pelinka Articles - Page 6

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2019-20 NBA hiatus in March as the top-seeded team in the Western Conference with a 49-14 record. However, heading into the season restart in Orlando, the will not get, as of now, any home-court advantage or benefits that come with being the conference’s best team come playoffs. According to […]

During a conference call with reporters, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka downplayed concerns of photos showing LeBron James and Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons playing pickup basketball without any masks. Pelinka stressed that the NBA’s protocol doesn’t require players wearing masks during games. They are required to wear them once they’re off the […]

Robert Todd Pelinka Jr. was born on December 23, 1969. Many know him as the man at the helm for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving as the organization’s Vice President of Basketball Operations and general manager. There is much more to Rob Pelinka, however, and today we try to shed some light on the life […]

It has been over 50 days without NBA basketball, so Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka is trying to do something about it. Per Sam Amick and Joe Vardon of The Athletic (first reported by ESPN), Pelinka has actively been trying to get the help of Los Angeles health officials in order to help […]

During a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka spoke about Kobe Bryant’s Hall of Fame nod. Pelinka, who was essentially Bryant’s best friend, says the Lakers icon will be with us in spirit when it’s time to present Kobe: Rob Pelinka on Kobe Bryant officially getting the Hall […]

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. It’s just two months after his tragic passing in a helicopter crash. With that being said, few people around the NBA know Bryant as well as Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. Pelinka served as Bryant’s agent throughout the shooting […]

Los Angeles Lakers president and general manager Rob Pelinka revealed he received a text minutes before Kobe Bryant died in a tragic helicopter crash on Jan. 26. Pelinka, who was Bryant’s longtime agent, shared this anecdote during a Celebration of Life for him and his daughter Gianna, 13, who died along with seven other passengers […]

Friday night started off with an emotional tribute to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Numerous homages were made from his jerseys to an introduction of him in every starting position. His name was chanted every thirty seconds, as well as his daughter Gianna’s nickname “GiGi.” The pre-game ceremony eventually concluded with a heartfelt speech from his […]

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka issued an official statement on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, calling Bryant his “best friend” and Kobe’s daughter Gianna–who also perished in Sunday’s helicopter accident–his “goddaughter:” Rob Pelinka released a very beautiful statement just now. It begins: “On Sunday, I lost my best friend and my sweet […]

Magic Johnson wants to make sure Los Angeles Lakers fans are keeping general manager Rob Pelinka in their prayers following the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. Pelinka was Bryant’s agent during Kobe’s playing days. The two were very close: Laker Nation, praying for Laker VP & GM Rob Pelinka; Kobe’s agent for 20 years, best […]

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka traveled to Kobe Bryant’s Orange County home to be with Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Bryant passed away on Sunday in a terrible helicopter crash. Eight other people died in the crash, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Jeanie Buss, Rob […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a multiyear contract extension with Rob Pelinka. The franchise also promoted Pelinka to the title of vice president of basketball operations and general manager, something star LeBron James says Pelinka “earned.” Yes he ABSOLUTELY has Earned it!! Congrats RP! 🙏🏾 https://t.co/KQ4gIPiBYY — LeBron James (@KingJames) January 11, 2020 […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are rumored to be looking to trade Kyle Kuzma, with multiple teams reportedly inquiring about the third-year forward. According to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, general manager and new vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka “has had conversations with multiple teams in which Kuzma was discussed.” The reporting […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have named executive Rob Pelinka as both vice president of basketball operations and team general manager. Following Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson’s resignation as the team’s president in April 2019, Pelinka became the chief decision-maker in Los Angeles’ front office. However, there was no clear distinction in title for […]

The Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for ways to improve their roster ahead of the second half of the season, including drumming up a market for third-year forward Kyle Kuzma. According to Tania Ganguli and Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times, it was general manager Rob Pelinka who called the Sacramento Kings to […]

After losing four games in a row, it’s clear the Los Angeles Lakers need a third dynamic scorer next to superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While small forward Kyle Kuzma had a great game on Christmas Day against the Los Angeles Clippers by scoring 25 points, LA general manager Rob Pelinka is still interested […]

After a not so amicable parting of ways last season, it seems that Los Angeles Lakers Ggeneral Manager Rob Pelinka and former Team President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson have mended fences. In a brave tell-all for Bill Plaschke’s column for the LA Times, the NBA All-Time great recently opened up about a myriad of […]

Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka gave his players a treat by allowing them to meet world-renowned magician David Blaine. The Lakers canceled today’s practice. The team came in this morning for one of Rob Pelinka’s “Genius Talks.” Today’s guest: David Blaine. After his talk, Frank Vogel brought team together and, following a nice win […]

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka believes NBA front offices should treat “superstars like partners.” This summer, Pelinka closely worked with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis during the free agency process, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Pelinka, who says that treating “superstars like partners” is a mentality that front offices must […]

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made the satisfaction of his star players his biggest priority upon acquiring Anthony Davis in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans and being left with a hollowed-out roster left to fill. Davis admits Pelinka was in touch, perhaps a little too in touch, comparing him to a […]

Despite Los Angeles Lakers manifesting an Anthony Davis trade to their beloved purple and gold, general manager Rob Pelinka had his share of roller-coaster moments trying to bring that dream into a reality. The Lakers executive explained how the coin almost turned on the wrong end during negotiations: “Major NBA trades live on the edge […]

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka insists there’s plenty of optimism regarding small forward Kyle Kuzma’s foot injury. Kuzma will miss the start of training camp as he continues to recover from a stress injury in his lower left leg. #Lakers' Rob Pelinka on Kyle Kuzma's stress reaction in his left foot – "There's […]

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka believes superstar LeBron James is “locked in even more.” Last season, James missed the playoffs for the first time since his second year in the league. As a result, LeBron is hungry to get back to the postseason and remind everyone he’s still the best player in the […]

The Los Angeles Lakers signed DeMarcus Cousins back in July, but after Cousins tore his ACL during an offseason workout in August, the Lakers found themselves very thin up front. To address that problem, Los Angeles decided to bring back an old friend in Dwight Howard, who spent one season with the Lakers in 2012-13 […]

The Los Angeles Lakers signed DeMarcus Cousins in July as a part of their offseason makeover, but just over a month after signing with the club, Cousins tore his ACL in an offseason workout, likely knocking him out for the 2019-20 campaign. Then, shortly after his injury, a video leaked on TMZ that appeared to […]

The NBA rivalry between the two Los Angeles teams has never been greater, as both the Lakers and Clippers are viewed as title contenders heading into the 2019-20 campaign, something that has never happened before. But Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka insists that the rivalry with the Clippers is not that big of a deal: […]

Rob Pelinka survived LeBron James’ first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, but not without the drama that’s now become commonplace for anyone involved with the league’s glamor franchise. While most attention paid to the many conflicts swirling within the organization were related to Magic Johnson, perhaps the most headline-grabbing tidbit involving Pelinka was a […]

Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka maintain a really close relationship, but the NBA legend knows better to distance himself from the team’s affairs. In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Lakers icon stressed confidence in his former agent’s capability to handle business for the purple and gold. “No, […]

The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans infamously pulled off one of the most memorable trades in recent memory earlier in the offseason. Unless you have been living under a rock for the better portion of the last few months, you know that All-Star big man Anthony Davis has officially made his way from […]

The Los Angeles Lakers know they have a season-long job to do to convince Anthony Davis to stay during free agency, and general manager Rob Pelinka started quite early, checking in with Davis and LeBron James for confirmation on free-agent signings. Davis told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols the communication between him and the general manager was […]

Rob Pelinka is trying to create a culture. The Los Angeles Lakers’ newly assembled roster is expected to contend for a championship next season. Not only do they have two All-NBA team members in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they also have a rising star in Kyle Kuzma. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka knows […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster for next season is almost set. They already have 14 players under contract, and with one spot still available, they can add another veteran or a young prospect to the team. There are still several decent free agents available at the moment, but Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said that […]

For the majority of his 16-year career, LeBron James has been considered the most well-rounded player in basketball. He’s always been among the league’s best playmakers, became an ultra-impactful defender over the final years of his initial stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and developed into a dangerous three-point shooter off the catch and the dribble […]

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Pelicans last month, and on Saturday, Davis was officially introduced as a member of the Lakers. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called it “a history-shifting day” for the franchise, also calling Davis the “most dominant young basketball player in the […]

Rob Pelinka loves telling a story. The penchant for flowery hyperbole that helped him emerge as one of the sports world’s most high-profile agents has carried over to his role as general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, but at least for now, to a more humorous effect than impactful one. The outright fabrication he […]

The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster for next season is almost set. They already have 14 players under contract and they could stick with this group or add a couple more free agents depending on who’s available. Unlike last season, the Lakers had a clear goal during free agency: land 3-point shooters and experienced veterans to […]

The Los Angeles Lakers missed out on free agency’s biggest name, costing them the chance to bring in so many helpful smaller ones. Now that the dust has settled with the Lakers’ roster mostly set and the cross-arena LA Clippers having emerged as his team’s chief competition in the Western Conference, Los Angeles general manager […]

Although Magic Johnson stepped down as the Los Angeles Lakers’ President of Basketball Operations back in April, he still showed tremendous support for the team, particularly to acting PBO and general manager Rob Pelinka. Pelinka is grateful for the vote of confidence coming from Magic. He told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk that despite what happened with […]

It’s been an uphill climb this summer for the Los Angeles Lakers, but team executive Rob Pelinka believes he pulled off a solid offseason haul for the Purple and Gold. Pelinka was hired as general manager but stepped up into the critical decision-making position following the sudden resignation of former team president Magic Johnson. In […]