Los Angeles Lakers General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka is usually the guy working behind the scenes—pulling strings, making blockbuster trades, and quietly building championship-caliber rosters. But lately? He’s been making headlines for something completely unexpected… signing autographs. Yeah, you read that right. The same guy who operates in the shadows just popped up, pen in hand, making time for fans. And naturally, social media lost its mind.
Pelinka was spotted signing at Barclays Center right after the Lakers’ tough 111-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on March 10, 2025. But that wasn’t the first time—just days earlier, fans had caught him doing the same near Crypto.com Arena in LA. And for a guy who usually keeps a low profile, this sudden burst of fan interaction had people talking.
One fan put it perfectly: “Pelinka been showing his face everywhere since the Luka trade.”
Now, look, there’s no official record saying Pelinka has never signed an autograph before, but let’s be real—has anyone ever seen it happen? Lakers fans certainly don’t remember it. And the timing? A little too perfect.
Normally, NBA General Managers keep things strictly business. They build teams, handle contracts, and stay away from the autograph scene. But every once in a while, there’s an exception.
Remember back in 2019 when Phoenix Suns GM James Jones stepped up after Josh Jackson bailed on an autograph session? He didn’t just apologize—he handed out free game tickets, promised signed merch, and even gave out 12-packs of beer to legal-age fans. That’s how you turn a bad situation into a PR win.
Pelinka’s case is different, though. There’s no controversy, no mess to clean up. Just a guy who just made one of the biggest trades in Lakers history… and suddenly, he’s out here shaking hands and signing jerseys. Coincidence? Maybe. But it sure doesn’t feel like one.
Lakers’ Tough Loss to the Nets
Of course, the lighthearted moment with Pelinka came after a game that was anything but fun for the Lakers. That loss to Brooklyn snapped their seven-game winning streak and tightened an already brutal Western Conference playoff race.
Foul trouble was a killer. Luka Doncic—who’s been nothing short of incredible since landing in LA—had an off night at the line, going just 8-of-26. Austin Reaves got hit with a brutal late-game foul on Cam Johnson, leading to three free throws that helped Brooklyn seal the deal. And then there was the no-call on Doncic’s last drive, a moment that had every Lakers fan fuming. He got bumped, no whistle, and the turnover led to a Brooklyn fast break that put the game away.
Despite the frustration, Doncic and LeBron James are clicking in ways that should have the rest of the league nervous. The duo combined for 22 assists, and even though the shots weren’t falling, the chemistry was undeniable. Head coach JJ Redick, never one to sugarcoat things, made it clear that Doncic’s frustration was understandable but not a concern.
“I think he’s been fine,” Redick said postgame. “Believe me, I’ve seen Luka get on the officials worse. It’s just frustration… feeling like he got fouled some, and then frustration with, frankly, how he played.”
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic poses for photos with general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The good news? The Lakers are still in a prime position for a deep playoff run. Doncic is adjusting, Pelinka’s big trade is already paying off, and this team has been thriving even with a few bumps along the way.
As for Pelinka and his sudden rise in fan engagement? Maybe it’s just him embracing the moment. Or maybe, just maybe, landing Luka Doncic has him feeling like a rockstar. Either way, Lakers fans aren’t complaining.
The post Rob Pelinka Caught Doing Something He Supposedly Hasn’t Done Before as Lakers Fail in Nets Mission appeared first on EssentiallySports.
