Lakers Aim to Emulate Dodgers' Front Office Success

Lakers president Rob Pelinka says team will look to model Dodgers' robust front office under new owner Mark Walter.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Los Angeles Lakers, under new owner Mark Walter, are planning to follow the example set by the successful front office of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka praised the Dodgers' approach and said the Lakers will look to build out a similarly deep and well-resourced front office as they aim to turn the team around.

Why it matters

The Lakers have struggled in recent years despite having star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. By modeling their front office after the Dodgers, who have found sustained success under Guggenheim Baseball Management's ownership, the Lakers hope to restore the franchise to its former glory and compete for championships again.

The details

Pelinka said the Lakers will look to add more executives to their front office, similar to the Dodgers' approach. He noted that the Dodgers have spared no expense in building out their front office to be "the best in the world." While current Lakers governor Jeanie Buss and Pelinka are expected to remain in their roles, the new ownership could still make changes if they feel it's necessary to improve the team's performance.

  • The Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025.
  • Mark Walter purchased the Lakers in 2026.

The players

Rob Pelinka

The president of basketball operations and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mark Walter

The new owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, who also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jeanie Buss

The current governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, who will remain in her role for multiple seasons under the new ownership.

Andrew Friedman

The president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Farhan Zaidi

The special advisor for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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What they’re saying

“When Mark bought the team, Jeanie and I did a really deep dive with him on sort of the areas he wants to grow and move into and get aggressive. Looking at the Dodgers and how they built it out has been a great sort of example and North Star. And so we're still going through that process of how we'll look in the offseason and what additions we'll make. But there will be some positive changes, and we will build things out.”

— Rob Pelinka, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN)

“[The Dodgers], just the way they've sort of built out their front office, how deep it is -- there is no expense they'll spare in being the best sort of front office in the world.”

— Rob Pelinka, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN)

What’s next

The Lakers will continue to evaluate their front office structure and make additions in the offseason as they look to emulate the Dodgers' successful approach.

The takeaway

By modeling their front office after the Dodgers, who have found sustained success under new ownership, the Lakers are hoping to restore the franchise to its former glory and compete for championships again after years of struggles.