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Rob Pelinka

Rob Pelinka is an American basketball executive, lawyer, and former sports agent who serves as Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rob Pelinka is an American basketball executive, lawyer, and former sports agent who serves as Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. Before joining the Lakers front office in 2017, he worked as an agent for several NBA players, including Kobe Bryant. He also played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines.

Early life and education

Pelinka was born in Chicago and grew up in the Lake Forest, Illinois area. He attended the University of Michigan, where he played basketball and later earned both a business degree and a law degree.

Sports agent career

After law school, Pelinka became a sports agent and represented several prominent NBA players. His work included representing Kobe Bryant and operating his own agency, Landmark Sports Agency.

Los Angeles Lakers executive

Pelinka joined the Lakers front office in 2017 and became one of the team’s top decision-makers. His responsibilities have included personnel moves, contract negotiations, salary cap planning, and scouting.

College basketball career

At Michigan, Pelinka played guard and was part of the Wolverines’ 1989 NCAA national championship team. He also appeared in multiple NCAA Final Fours during his college career.

Key facts

  • Pelinka has served as the Lakers’ Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager since 2017.
  • He previously spent nearly two decades as a basketball agent, representing Kobe Bryant among others.
  • He played college basketball at the University of Michigan and was part of its 1989 national championship team.
  • He earned a business degree in 1993 and a law degree in 1996 from the University of Michigan.
  • He is widely identified with the Lakers’ roster-building that helped produce the team’s 2020 NBA championship.
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Canadian context

No direct Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rob Pelinka?
He is an American basketball executive, lawyer, and former sports agent who is the Lakers’ Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager.
Did Rob Pelinka play basketball?
Yes. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines.
What team does Rob Pelinka work for?
He works for the Los Angeles Lakers.
What did Rob Pelinka do before becoming an NBA executive?
He spent nearly two decades as a sports agent representing NBA players.
Who did Rob Pelinka represent as an agent?
He is especially known for representing Kobe Bryant.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Pelinka
    Supports: Basic biographical details, college basketball career, and Lakers role.
  2. Sports Agent Hall of Famehttps://www.sportsagenthof.com/rob-pelinka
    Supports: Biography, agency career, Lakers executive role, and representation of Kobe Bryant.
  3. University of Michigan Ross School of Businesshttps://michiganross.umich.edu/alumni/alumni-news/class-notes/rob-pelinka/17127
    Supports: Education, Michigan basketball career, and appointment as Lakers general manager.
  4. Los Angeles Sentinelhttps://lasentinel.net/lakers-name-rob-pelinka-vice-president-basketball-operations-and-general-manager.html
    Supports: Lakers appointment and front-office responsibilities.