Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is approaching one of the most pivotal offseasons of his career, but he might have some serious help on the way. According to a new report from HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Lakers are considering adding front office staff to work under Pelinka.
"The Los Angeles Lakers are considering multiple front office staff additions looking ahead to next season," Scotto wrote on Wednesday, "including at least one assistant general manager and another potential high-ranking role, league sources told HoopsHype."
Lakers' front office might be adding key members this offseason
Pelinka, a former high-profile agent who famously represented Kobe Bryant, has been the Lakers' general manager since 2017. He was promoted to president of basketball operations in 2020 while retaining his role as GM.
The Lakers won their 17th NBA championship in 2020 under Pelinka's watch, but his tenure has also overseen three missed playoffs and three first-round exits.
Pelinka's work of late has been satisfactory. He was somehow able to pull off the heist of the century in poaching Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, and since Luka has arrived, Pelinka has made some nice additions without much cap space to work with, most notably Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard (via trade).
The 2026 offseason is gut check time for Rob Pelinka
Pelinka is now on the verge of a summer when a lack of cap space will no longer be a viable excuse. With LeBron James' max deal coming off the books, Pelinka will be tasked with negotiating a new, cheaper deal with LeBron (or otherwise letting him walk), re-signing Austin Reaves to a max contract, and filling out the Lakers' roster with at least a couple of rotation-worthy depth pieces to help a Luka-centric Lakers squad contend in 2027 and beyond.
One target of particular note for Pelinka and the Lakers is Peyton Watson of the Denver Nuggets, who is about to enter restricted free agency. But free agency isn't just a clean and easy landscape where Pelinka will be able to point to a player he wants and magically acquire him. There will be plenty of competition for Watson, as well as other targets, and there will also be tempting targets with the potential to ruin Pelinka's offseason if he fails to avoid them.
The Lakers cannot afford to waste Luka Doncic's prime
Doncic is 27 years old. Now is the time for Pelinka to strike and create a sustainable contender around Luka for the entirety of the Slovenian superstar's prime. Anything short of this would represent a shameful showing from an executive in Pelinka who is far too talented and experienced to blow this can't-miss opportunity.
The idea of Pelinka adding new front office personnel at such a crucial time is a bit curious. While reinforcements are always welcome, it seems like an odd time to be adding fresh perspectives to a Lakers executive corps that's just about to enter its most important few months in a long time. That being said, if LA starts the 2026-27 season with a contending roster on paper, no one will be asking any questions.
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