Rob Pelinka has remained a key figure for the Lakers since the Kobe Bryant era, starting as Bryant’s agent and eventually ascending to general manager and vice president of basketball operations. He now serves as the president of basketball operations for the legendary franchise, while continuing to oversee general manager duties.
With significant movement in the Lakers front office lately, Pelinka could have been viewed as being in a precarious position. However, new Lakers President of Business Operations Lon Rosen recently confirmed that Pelinka will remain in his role.
“I just run the business side, Rob’s empowered to do what he does,” Rosen said. “Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi, they have involvement helping Rob a bit. It gives you a deeper bench, and I think Rob appreciates that. And it is unique. But they have a skill set that they can transfer some of it here. And that’s really how we look at it.
“Look, I have a really good relationship with Rob. I’ve known Rob Pelinka from when he was representing Kobe [Bryant]. I met him many, many years ago.”
Friedman and Zaidi are top executives for the Dodgers (Friedman is the president of baseball operations and Zaidi has served as a special advisor since 2025). They came into the picture after the Lakers were sold to the Dodgers’ owner Mark Walter in 2025 for $10 billion. Pelinka, Friedman and Zaidi are going to be assisted by another experienced voice, as the Lakers expand their staff.
Lakers announce they have named former University of Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor pic.twitter.com/LzwgnddYDs
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 25, 2026
The Lakers are now equipping Pelinka with an NBA Draft advisor, with Tony Bennett being announced as part of the team. Bennett coached Virginia from 2009 to 2024, retiring in October 2024. He won NCAA National Coach of the Year three times, compiling a record of 364-136 at Virginia.
Bennett-coached teams have produced 13 NBA draftees, with notable names including Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, De’Andre Hunter and Trey Murphy III.
Related: Lakers President Lon Rosen Makes Rob Pelinka Decision Amid NBA Season