Rob Pelinka does not make his decisions without input from the key figureheads around him. The Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations made that perfectly clear on Thursday. That includes head coach JJ Redick, but it also factors in franchise superstar Luka Doncic.
At the start of season press conference, Pelinka was asked by reporters about the value of working together with both of them on the offseason plans in 2026. The Lakers general manager introduced what he called a new term to the room: co-creating.
"We love those roundtable discussions where ideas are shared. Ultimately, I'll do my job and make the final decision, but to get the input of a basketball savant like [Luka] who sees the game at such a high level, ... it requires us to do special things to build the team around him."
There are layers as to why this is a wise approach for Pelinka. For one, it is just a genuinely good idea to 'retrofit' the team as best you can to both Redick's coaching style and Doncic's playing style. It also quietly absolves him from just a little bit of responsibility for any shortcomings they may have.
Rob Pelinka partnering with JJ Redick and Luka Doncic to build the Lakers is just common sense
Let us start with the more positive level of why this could just be handled in good faith. Yes, fine-tuning a roster to the preferences of your head coach and superstar should theoretically allow both a chance to be at their best.
Pelinka mentioned that one of the pillars of the offseason after LeBron James gave them his notice was getting players who fit Redick's dribble, pass, shoot style. Listening to JJ throughout the press conference offered insight on just how much the Lakers coach had been doing to appease the roster at hand, rather than deploying his own preferred tactics. Rob has given him a chance to change that.
Asking your superstar what type of players fit around him is never a bad idea either. Pelinka called Doncic the best offensive player in the world. When you have someone in the building of that caliber, getting the most out of them involves putting the right kind of support on the court.
Rob Pelinka also quietly protected himself from a bigger share of the blame game in Los Angeles
There is also the more cynical interpretation of Pelinka openly working together with Doncic and Redick. Rob did admit the last call is ultimately his. However, working in tandem with JJ and Luka does take some of the heat off him in the worst of circumstances.
With an incoming ownership change, nothing is truly off the table. Pelinka has earned the benefit of the doubt, but now the responsibility of any hiccups is shared (even if it is not evenly distributed).
It is a bit of a "have your cake and eat it too" type of moment for Pelinka. Naturally, everyone will hope the Lakers continue pushing closer to establishing themselves as a real contender. Multiple people offering input on how to lead that push does mean more than one face is attached to the results — for better or for worse.
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