Lakers: Rob Pelinka announced as new GM

Next The Los Angeles Lakers officially announced the hiring of the team’s new general manager.

The Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday announced the hiring of Rob Pelinka as the team’s new general manger, according to a press released sent by the team.

“Rob’s knowledge of the NBA landscape and the CBA, as well as his relationships with GMs around the league, are invaluable,” Ervin “Magic” Johnson said in the release. “After running a successful sports agency and as someone who truly understands the inner workings of salary caps and player negotiations, he will bring the additional skills and experience needed in the Lakers executive office. Rob is a winner and the Lakers are fortunate to have him.”

Pelinka is Kobe Bryant’s former agent, and will start his first-ever job as general manager of an NBA franchise. Some of his now former clients include James Harden, Erid Gordon and Buddy Hield.

Pelinka’s official hiring was known to be on its way, as several sources reported that he would be the choice after the Lakers hired Johnson as president of basketball operations soon after the firings of Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss.

“I am beyond grateful to join the Lakers front office,” Pelinka said in the statement. “The Lakers are a gold standard for sports franchises in the world, so we all share a responsibility to pursue excellence in everything we do. Excellence is what the Lakers stands for, what Jeanie Buss and Earvin Johnson embody, and what Coach Walton demands from our players. That obsession for greatness is what will bring Lakers basketball back to a championship level. With Jeanie and Magic guiding the vision, I am thrilled to help architect the future. I am really excited to get to work.”

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