The Los Angeles Lakers have apparently agreed to an early contract extension with general manager Rob Pelinka. According to media reports, the boss of the front office is said to have signed until 2026.
This was initially reported by Chris Haynes (Yahoo Sports) and has since been replaced by ESPN approved. It gives the 52-year-old a vote of confidence as the team look to put an end to a hugely disappointing 2021/22 season.
After missing the postseason last season, Pelinka hired a new head coach in Darvin Ham and reshuffled the team around LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. The Lakers are not among the title contenders, but Pelinka recently emphasized that he wanted to do everything in his power to provide LeBron with a strong team.
The former player agent for Kobe Bryant, among others, has been General Manager of the Lakers since 2017. In 2020, the title of Vice President of Basketball Operations was added, and in the same year LA also won the championship after Pelinka arranged the trade for Anthony Davis, among other things.
However, the storied franchise has missed the playoffs in three of the five seasons since Pelinka’s arrival and the team, led by Pelinka, fired two coaches (Luke Walton and Frank Vogel). Former team president Magic Johnson complained of “betrayal” in the front office when he resigned in 2019.
The trade for Westbrook in summer 2021 did not have the desired effect either, quite the opposite. So far, Pelinka hasn’t gotten rid of the point guard, despite persistent trade rumors over the summer. In return, Pelinka managed to convince James of another contract extension. The King is tied to the Lakers until 2025.
