Changes Ahead for the Los Angeles Lakers
Things are shifting quickly for the Los Angeles Lakers, especially since the team’s recent sale from Mark Walter to Bob Iger, former CEO of Disney, along with venture capitalist Josh Kushner.
With so much going on, prominent sports personalities like Stephen A. Smith aren’t holding back their opinions. He seems especially convinced that Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, might be on his way out.
On “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” he stated, “I don’t think Rob Pelinka, who runs basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, is going to be there.” Smith suggested that the organization may increase the involvement of minority owner Jeanie Buss while possibly seeking to hire Bob Myers, a former NBA executive and two-time Executive of the Year.
Interestingly, Iger confirmed in an interview that the new ownership is keen on retaining Buss in her capacity, but any similar assurances for Pelinka haven’t surfaced yet.
As for Myers, the situation is a bit complicated. Currently, he oversees operations for both the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils as president. Smith mentioned, “So Bob Myers came along and a month later we had Jaylen Brown and LeBron James,” implying that if there’s a chance to acquire him, it should be pursued. He added, “That’s my belief. I haven’t told anyone about it.”
It’s worth noting that Smith is convinced the Lakers should part ways with Pelinka and make a move for Myers, although such shifts in management typically accompany new ownership.
During Walter’s brief ownership, Pelinka’s role seemed stable, but the future is always uncertain in sports management.
Pelinka has been in the Lakers’ front office since his appointment as general manager in March 2017 and later became president in April 2025. In that time, he facilitated the signing of LeBron James and arranged the trade for Anthony Davis in 2019, though Davis was subsequently traded to the Dallas Mavericks in early 2025 for Luka Dončić.
During Pelinka’s tenure, the Lakers won one NBA championship in 2020 and maintained a consistent playoff presence. Still, Myers is viewed as a high-profile front office talent, having orchestrated the Golden State Warriors’ success over the last decade.
Myers became the general manager of the Warriors in 2012, contributing to four NBA titles from 2015 to 2022 before stepping down. He announced his departure in 2023 with the remark that “the time has come.”
After that, Myers took on an advisory role with the Washington Commanders, assisting in revamping their front office. Last year, he was involved in the committee that helped UCLA football select head coach Bob Chesney.
