The successful model that the Lakers will copy from the MLB to win the championship

Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to redefine their sports structure taking as a reference the most successful organization in the city today: Los Angeles Dodgers. The historic NBA franchise, winner of 17 championships, is working jointly with the baseball club—two-time World Series champions—to incorporate practices that strengthen their internal functioning and their ability to sustain success in the long term.

Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations and general manager of the Lakers, publicly spoke about this relationship before Saturday's game against the Golden State Warriors. It was his first appearance since the team's purchase by Mark Walter, owner of the Dodgers, was confirmed in late October in a transaction that valued the franchise at $10 billion.

Pelinka particularly emphasized his communication with Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations for the Dodgers and one of the most influential minds in the recent dominance of the Los Angeles franchise in Major League Baseball.

"It's been fantastic to have external allies who observe what the Dodgers have built and to be able to turn to someone like Andrew Friedman to learn about best practices," explained Pelinka. "He's incredibly smart and has done an extraordinary job bringing championships. Having a leader like him to exchange ideas with, whether about personnel, structure, or philosophy, has been an immense resource."

Friedman joined the Dodgers in 2014, shortly after Walter acquired the team in 2012, and has since been instrumental in creating a deep, modern, and aggressive organization constantly seeking talent.

The Role of Mark Walter and Jeanie Buss

Pelinka mentioned that he has had multiple conversations with both Walter and Jeanie Buss, interim governor of the Lakers, on how to enhance the franchise starting this summer. Buss will continue to lead the team for at least four more seasons after the 2025-26 campaign.

"When Mark bought the team, Jeanie and I have talked a lot about the areas where he wants to grow, advance, and be more aggressive," Pelinka commented. "Looking at the Dodgers and how they have solidified themselves has been a great guide. We are still defining what the preseason will look like and what additions we will make, but there will be positive changes."

Pelinka made it clear that, despite collaborating with Walter, the power structure will remain with him and Buss leading the sports decisions, backed by the new owner.

More Personnel and a Deeper Management

Currently, the Lakers have one of the smallest front offices in the league. Since Magic Johnson's departure in 2019, Pelinka has concentrated much of the power, with Kurt Rambis as his main advisor. This structure was further streamlined in November when the team dismissed Joey Buss and Jesse Buss, along with several members of the scouting department.

Pelinka acknowledged that one of the lessons learned from the Dodgers is precisely the significance of a broad and specialized management.

"They spare no resources to build the best possible front office," he affirmed. "That's an example we want to follow."

Looking to the Immediate Future

The executive also revealed that the Lakers are carefully evaluating their options for the summer, when they could have up to three future first-round picks to trade and a salary cap space close to $50 million.

With LeBron James nearing the end of his career and Luka Doncic as the new cornerstone, the organization seeks to establish the foundations of a solid structure that not only competes in the present but also sustains success over the next decade.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El modelo de éxito que los Lakers copiarán de la MLB para ganar el anillo