After a few years of ups and downs, the Lakers are surging back toward the top of the NBA ecosystem. As such, the man who has orchestrated it all has been rewarded.
Ahead of its first-round playoff series with the Timberwolves, Los Angeles announced it had extended the contract and promoted general manager Rob Pelinka. With the promotion, Pelinka is now the franchise's president of basketball operations and GM.
Pelinka's extension and promotion are a product of a series of savvy moves made over the past year. As noted by ESPN's Shams Charania, L.A. will have continuity moving forward with both Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick under contract for years to come.
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After hiring Redick and trading for Luka Doncic, the Lakers are set for the present and the future. Here's more on Pelinka's contract and his savvy moves in 2024-25.
Rob Pelinka contract extension, explained
The Lakers did not disclose the terms of Pelinka's extension, but it should ensure his time with the franchise will extend beyond 10 years.
"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 an official release. "I value his partnership and professionalism and believe in his ability to deliver championship-caliber basketball for Los Angeles and Lakers fans everywhere."
Pelinka, a former sports agent, joined the franchise as GM in 2017 and added vice president of basketball operations to his title after the team's championship in 2020. Within his first three years at the helm, Pelinka helped bring LeBron James and Anthony Davis to L.A., the pairing that led to the title at the NBA Bubble in Orlando.
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In the last year, Pelinka hired Redick as the franchise's head coach and, in February, stunned the basketball world by pulling off the deal that sent Davis to the Mavericks in exchange for Doncic.
As Redick's contract runs through the 2028-29 season, Pelinka's extension is believed to run through at least the next three seasons, if not more.
After the trade deadline, Pelinka indicated that the Lakers will be looking to upgrade their roster again during the 2025 offseason. With stability in the front office and stars on the roster, L.A. will again be a major destination for free agents and disgruntled stars seeking a move.
The franchise has Pelinka to thank for the position that it's in.