Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > New Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Is Already Creating A Strategy For Future Free Agents
Lakers News

New Lakers GM Rob Pelinka Is Already Creating A Strategy For Future Free Agents

Trevor Lane
Published: 03/11/2017
3 Min Read
New Lakers Gm Rob Pelinka Is Already Creating A Strategy For Future Free Agents
AP Photo/Nick Ut
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t had much success on the free agent market in recent years, missing out on superstar targets and ultimately signing Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng to questionable deals. If they hope to reclaim their spot on top of the NBA, failing to land talent in free agency is a trend that will have to change quickly.

New general manager Rob Pelinka aims to do just that. During Pelinka’s introductory press conference, President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson shared that the new GM is already plotting strategy for not just this summer’s free agent class, but the next five years as well (via Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times):

Rob Pelinka charted out potential free agents for the next 5 years, Johnson says. Who would be available, how much they could make.

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) March 10, 2017

Pelinka, who formerly was an agent, hopes that the relationships that he has built around the league will help him in his efforts to bring the club back from the brink. While many saw the hiring of head coach Luke Walton last summer as a sign that the Lakers want to mimic the success of his previous employer, the Golden State Warriors, Pelinka asserted that he wants the team to forge their own identity (via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters):

Pelinka: "We’re not trying to replicate anything, we’re trying to create our own identity here."

— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 10, 2017

Pelinka has some young building blocks to work with, including Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, and Ivica Zubac, but the Lakers will still need plenty of help if they are going to return to the top of the NBA mountain.

Pelinka and Johnson certainly have their work cut out for them, but so far they have said and done the right things. The real test will begin this summer when they will have to navigate the always-tricky NBA Draft and free agency period.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles LakersRob Pelinka
ByTrevor Lane
Trevor Lane is a longtime NBA and Los Angeles Lakers fan who had the good fortune to grow up during the glory days of the Showtime Lakers, when Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and the rest ruled the Great Western Forum. He has written about basketball, soccer, fantasy sports, MMA, and even pro wrestling over the course of his career, but the spectacle that is the Lakers is his true passion. He made the leap into podcasting for Lakers Nation and provides voice-over analysis for our YouTube channel. With a who's who of stars gracing the Lakers lineup over the years, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and many others, the Lakers always provide plenty to talk about. When he isn't writing or recording, Trevor can be found spending time with his wife and daughter or on the sidelines for one of the youth teams he coaches. Outside of the Lakers, Trevor is a supporter of the LA Galaxy, US Soccer, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Contact: trevor@mediumlargela.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?