The Los Angeles Lakers’ future front office structure seems largely consistent with its past, though new influences from the Los Angeles Dodgers are anticipated.
Lon Rosen, recently appointed as the Lakers’ president of business operations, informed reporters on Tuesday that general manager Rob Pelinka is expected to maintain control over basketball operations, as reported by Dan Woike of The Athletic.
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Pelinka secured an extension with the Lakers last April, at which time he also assumed the title of president of basketball operations.
Furthermore, Magic Johnson, a minority owner of the Dodgers and an NBA icon, is set to rejoin the franchise’s operations, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. While Johnson previously served as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations alongside Pelinka, reports indicate he will not hold an official title in his new role.
Rosen, who joined the Lakers after an extensive period as the Dodgers’ chief marketing officer, also verified that Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, and Farhan Zaidi, a special adviser, will offer their insights to Pelinka. These organizational changes come after Dodgers principal owner Mark Walter acquired the Lakers.
Magic Johnson is rejoining the Lakers in a yet-to-be-defined role. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
(Miami Herald via Getty Images)
Earlier this month, Pelinka stated that the Lakers’ front office would expand, drawing inspiration from the Dodgers’ structure, as reported via the California Post:
“Following Mark’s acquisition of the team, Jeanie and I extensively discussed with him the areas he aims to develop, expand into, and pursue assertively,” Pelinka told several beat reporters before Saturday’s home game versus the Golden State Warriors. “Once more, observing the Dodgers and their organizational development has served as an excellent model and guiding principle. Therefore, we are currently assessing how we will appear in the offseason and what enhancements we will implement. However, there will be beneficial adjustments, and we will construct our operations, guided by myself and Jeanie, and with Mark’s backing.”
Walter’s decision to integrate members of his Dodgers leadership into the Lakers’ operations following his takeover is unsurprising. Since 2017, under Friedman’s leadership, the Dodgers have consistently achieved either 100 wins or a World Series appearance each season, culminating in three championships. While the Lakers also secured a title under Pelinka in 2020, they have only progressed beyond the first round once since that victory.
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While baseball strategies may not perfectly transfer to basketball, certain aspects of organizational management are likely adaptable.
These developments precede what could shape up to be a dynamic summer for the Lakers, as LeBron James enters free agency and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade availability looms.