Lakers Hire Tony Bennett as NBA Draft Adviser

Former Virginia coach to assist Lakers' front office in scouting and draft process

Feb. 25, 2026 at 7:50pm

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The Los Angeles Lakers have hired former Virginia men's basketball coach Tony Bennett as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka. Bennett, a two-time national Coach of the Year, will help refine the Lakers' draft and scouting processes as the franchise undergoes front office changes under new majority owner Mark Walter.

Why it matters

The hiring of Bennett, who led Virginia to the 2019 NCAA championship, is the latest in a series of front office moves by the Lakers as they look to rebuild the storied franchise. Bennett's expertise in player development and scouting could prove valuable as the Lakers aim to draft high-character, high-skill players to complement their existing roster.

The details

Bennett will work closely with Pelinka and the Lakers' draft department, providing his insights and evaluations on prospects. During his collegiate coaching career, 13 players who played for Bennett were selected in the NBA draft. The Lakers have undergone significant front office changes since Mark Walter, who also owns the Dodgers, bought majority ownership of the team last fall.

  • In November, the Lakers fired longtime front office executives Joey and Jesse Buss along with a significant portion of their scouting department.
  • Also in November, Dodgers executives Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman joined the Lakers in advisory roles.
  • Earlier this month, fellow Dodgers executive Lon Rosen was hired as the Lakers' president of business operations.

The players

Tony Bennett

A two-time national Coach of the Year who led the Virginia Cavaliers to the 2019 NCAA championship before retiring unexpectedly in 2024. He has been hired as an NBA draft adviser to the Lakers.

Rob Pelinka

The president of basketball operations and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, who will work closely with Bennett in the team's draft and scouting processes.

Mark Walter

The majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, who purchased the team in the fall and has overseen a series of front office changes.

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What they’re saying

“As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource. Tony's track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. Tony will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, to our scouts and to our draft department as a whole.”

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

“When Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization. The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.”

— Tony Bennett (New York Post)

The takeaway

The hiring of Tony Bennett as an NBA draft adviser represents the Lakers' continued efforts to rebuild their front office and scouting infrastructure under new ownership. Bennett's expertise in player development and culture-building could prove invaluable as the Lakers look to draft high-character, high-skill players to complement their existing roster and return the franchise to championship contention.