Lakers look to model team after back-to-back champion Dodgers

""[It's] been great to have sort of outside allies and advocates looking at the Dodgers and the success they've had and what they've built over there, and being able to tap into a person like Andrew Friedman for best practices," Pelinka said. "He's so incredibly smart and has done such an amazing job bringing championships to the Dodgers," Pelinka said."

""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," Pelinka said. "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.""

The Lakers are collaborating with the Dodgers, leveraging successful Dodgers leadership and operations as a model for basketball operations. President Rob Pelinka described tapping Andrew Friedman for best practices on roster moves, staff decisions and organizational strategy, praising Friedman's role in building championships. Owner Mark Walter's purchase of the Lakers at a $10 billion valuation prompted discussions among Walter, Pelinka and acting governor Jeanie Buss about areas for growth and investment beginning this summer. Buss will remain acting governor for at least four more seasons after 2025-26. The team plans offseason additions and structural buildouts that Pelinka expects will bring positive changes.

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