Stephen A. Smith believes Rob Pelinka’s tenure working basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers may finish after Josh Kushner and Bob Iger take management of the franchise. Smith additionally recognized former Golden State Warriors president Bob Myers as the manager he would pursue to switch Pelinka.
“I feel Rob Pelinka is not going to be there working basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers. I don’t consider that may occur transferring ahead,” Smith mentioned. “If there’s a option to get [Bob Myers], I feel you go get him. That is my perception.”
Pelinka’s future has turn into a serious query because the Lakers transition towards a new ownership group led by Kushner and Iger. The proposed sale, reported at roughly $12.5 billion, nonetheless requires approval from the NBA Board of Governors, which means the possession change will not be but full.
The Lakers are coming into the 2026-27 season after a big roster overhaul underneath Pelinka. Los Angeles completed 53-29 in 2025-26, good for fourth within the Western Convention, earlier than being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals.
Luka Doncic was the centerpiece of that staff, averaging 33.5 factors, 8.3 assists and seven.7 rebounds in 64 video games whereas capturing 47.6% from the sector and 36.6% from three-point vary. Austin Reaves averaged 23.3 factors and 5.5 assists in 51 video games whereas capturing 49.0% from the sector and 87.1% from the free-throw line.
The offseason technique then shifted towards constructing a longer-term core round Doncic, Reaves and Walker Kessler. The Lakers acquired Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade and gave him a four-year, $130 million contract, whereas Reaves received a four-year, $185 million extension.
These commitments go away the Lakers with roughly $475 million tied to the three-player core, whereas the group additionally surrendered two unprotected first-round picks and two decide swaps within the Kessler transaction.
The roster adjustments additionally included the departures of LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. Los Angeles added Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Matisse Thybulle, Kevon Looney and Ziaire Williams as a part of the restructuring.
That places substantial significance on the choices made by the entrance workplace, notably with the Lakers having restricted draft capital and wage flexibility accessible for future strikes. Kessler is anticipated to anchor the protection behind a projected lineup constructed round Doncic and Reaves.
Myers would deliver a championship résumé to any potential Lakers front-office search. Throughout his time with Golden State, he was a part of a company that gained 4 NBA championships, though Smith’s feedback signify his personal perception about what the Lakers ought to do fairly than affirmation of an impending government change.
