Stephen A. Smith, a prominent media personality, has predicted that Rob Pelinka may not continue as the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations following the team's recent sale. The Lakers were sold by Mark Walter to a group led by former Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner.
"I think Rob Pelinka will not be there, running basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers," Smith stated on "The Stephen A. Smith Show." Smith suggested that majority owner Jeanie Buss might become more involved in the team's operations and that the new ownership could pursue Bob Myers, currently President of Sports for Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment and a former two-time NBA executive of the year.
Iger confirmed in an exclusive with the Post that the new ownership group intends to keep Buss in her role. However, no specific announcement was made regarding Pelinka's future.
Smith's speculation about Myers involves complexities due to Myers' current oversight of operations for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. "If there is a way to get that man, I think you go get him. This is my belief; I haven’t spoken to anybody about it," Smith said, referencing Myers' past successes.
Pelinka has been part of the Lakers' front office since March 2017, initially hired as general manager and later promoted to his current role in April 2025. During his time with the team, he was instrumental in signing LeBron James as a free agent and trading for Anthony Davis in 2019. In February 2025, Davis was reportedly traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Under Pelinka's leadership, the Lakers won an NBA title in 2020 and have consistently been a playoff team.
Meyers, meanwhile, is recognized as one of the top front-office executives in basketball. He was a key figure in the Golden State Warriors' dominance over the past decade. Myers joined the Warriors' front office in 2011, became general manager in 2012, and was instrumental in the team winning four NBA championships between 2015 and 2022. He stepped down as general manager in 2023, stating, "It’s just time." In 2024, Myers advised the NFL's Washington Commanders on front-office restructuring and was part of the search committee that hired Bob Chesney as head coach for UCLA Football.