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LeBron James Is Gone, but Lakers GM Pelinka and Coach Redick Are Excited About the Future
Pelinka said the Lakers added more than 15 front-office staffers and will build around Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and a deeper, younger roster.
On Thursday, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick held a season-opening news conference, marking a new chapter following LeBron James' departure to Philadelphia as a free agent.
Pelinka opened by expressing "gratitude" for LeBron's eight seasons in Los Angeles, which included the franchise's 17th championship in 2020, though he declined to discuss details of the partnership's dissolution.
To align with 26-year-old star Luka Doncic, the team re-signed Austin Reaves to a $180 million deal and acquired center Walker Kessler for $130 million, with Pelinka calling Luka "the world's greatest offensive player."
Redick plans to deepen the bench by playing more players this season while shifting defensive schemes to leverage Kessler as a rim protector rather than relying on copious switching.
Under new owners Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner, who purchased the franchise for $12.5 billion, Pelinka has expanded his front office by adding more than 15 personnel to prioritize scouting and development.