Incoming Lakers GM Rob Pelinka seemed to be a "natural choice" for the franchise, and as a person who is "young, shrewd and deeply connected, he made for an outside-the-box but logical option," according to Bill Oram of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Pelinka is "expected to be introduced" in the coming days. An official announcement has been "delayed while he goes through the process of divesting himself from his clients at Landmark Sports Agency." Pelinka represents a "new wave, sporting hip cardigans and skinny jeans complementing film star good looks, perfect for Hollywood’s team." There were "questions about what a Pelinka front office would mean" for former NBAer Kobe Bryant, who has "personally recruited prospective clients to Pelinka’s agency." Oram: "The question that is most important for the Lakers and their fans, however, is simple: Will Pelinka be able to do the job?" By now transitioning from agent to team exec, Pelinka joins not only Warriors GM & President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers and Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Arn Tellem in "making the jump," but he also joins former Kings and Grizzlies exec Jason Levien, Bucks Assistant GM Justin Zanik and former Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. Pelinka’s success will "largely depend" on his relationship with new Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson, and their "collaborative ability to overcome hurdles like the mammoth contracts" for F Luol Deng and C Timofey Mozgov. They must "determine how to build around their crop of talented young players, and which ones to invest in." It is easy to imagine Pelinka as the "right man for the moment." Johnson brings the "flamboyance and credibility, while Pelinka has the experience in the trenches, albeit on the other side of the negotiating table" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 3/2).
