Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said the franchise will add two assistant general managers during the upcoming offseason, expanding a front-office overhaul that began after Mark Walter became controlling owner.
Speaking at an end-of-season news conference with head coach JJ Redick, Pelinka confirmed that interviews are underway but no offers have been made. “We will hire two assistant general managers, that’s the plan,” he said.
Distinct Roles Planned
According to Pelinka, one assistant GM will oversee player evaluation, pro and draft scouting, and player development. The second will concentrate on salary-cap strategy, analytics and data.
Pelinka noted the Lakers have already bolstered departments such as data, strategy, analytics and medical scouting without public announcements. The additional executives, he said, will “add more” to an already “great team of people.”
Broader Rebuild Under New Ownership
The hiring push is part of a larger modernization effort. Pelinka detailed plans to update the club’s practice facility in El Segundo, including the installation of a biomechanics lab, movement lab and recovery lab. Court refurbishments are also scheduled.
The overhaul follows the decision to relocate the organization’s G League affiliate to a new 10,000-seat arena in Coachella Valley, freeing space at the main training center.
Busy Offseason Ahead
The new executives will help navigate a summer in which several key players—Austin Reaves, LeBron James (if he returns for a 24th season), Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart among them—may enter free agency.
Pelinka said he will attend the NBA Draft Combine while the front office continues interviews for the assistant GM roles, aiming to finalize the hires before Summer League in Las Vegas.
Source: Lakers Nation
