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Rob Pelinka Reveals Hidden Key to Lakers' Early Success

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Nov 26, 2025 1:26 PM ET

Key Points:

The Lakers are 13-4 after Tuesday's win
Rob Pelinka is the team's GM
He outlined the big offseason changed that fixed everything

The Los Angeles Lakers are 13-4 after Tuesday night win over their crosstown rivals the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night that included a 37-25 fourth quarter for coach J.J. Redick's team en route to a 135-118 win.

After the game, a video surfaced of GM Rob Pelinka sharing his pregame thoughts on the the Lakers' hot start.

He touched on a topic near and dear to LA fans' hearts as he shared a major reason why he believes the team is better so far this season.

Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka before a game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Pelinka Asked About 'Amazing Start'

Pelinka was asked about the Lakers' "amazing start" to which he had a response ready.

"The depth that you talked to us about before the season has been on full display early...What are you liking from this team? What are you seeing?" he was asked.

"You know we talked a lot about how we wanted to get younger with the roster and with more depth, to your point," Pelinka said.

"If you look around the league at the successful teams, they're young," Pelinka added.

"Everyone's playin' fast, everyone's playin' physical, so when we went out and added Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia, and brought in Marcus Smart, we really felt like that would improve our depth, and to see that happening in real time, proof of concept, has been amazing."

Lakers to Welcome Kidd's Mavericks

The Lakers are set to welcome coach Jason Kidd's Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The Mavs are 5-14 after back-to-back losses to Washington and San Antonio but boast a roster capable of packing the stands, and beating the Lakers, with rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, former Lakers star Anthony Davis and others logging major minutes.

Flagg shot 4-13 in his last game but has been solid in all aspects so far during his rookie campaign, posing a real challenge for the Lakers' talented forwards group of LeBron James and others.

The Lakers are expected to be big favorites, but Davis could be the X-factor in his return to the City of Angels and the Mavericks are a team capable of playing the exact style Pelinka mentioned to a tee with its young, athletic and physical roster.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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