Rob Pelinka Biography: Sport Team, Height, Age, Parents, Net Worth, Siblings, Kids, Wife, Awards  

Robert Todd Pelinka Jr., widely recognized as Rob Pelinka, is an American basketball executive, lawyer, sports agent, and former college basketball player, best known as the President of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.

A former agent for NBA stars like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Derrick Williams, Pelinka transitioned to the Lakers’ front office in 2017, leading the team to an NBA championship in 2020 and orchestrating blockbuster trades, including the Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis deal in 2025, widely regarded as a historic coup.

Profile

• Full Name: Robert Todd Pelinka Jr.
• Stage Name: Rob Pelinka
• Born: 23, December 1969
• Age: 55 years old
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Basketball Executive, Lawyer, Former Sports Agent, and Former College Basketball Player
• Height: 1.98m
• Parents: Robert Todd Pelinka Sr. and Mrs. Pelinka
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Kristin Brett Schwarz (m. 2005)
• Children: Durham Pelinka, Emery Pelinka
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $25 million

Early Life and Education

Robert Todd Pelinka Jr. was born on December 23, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert Todd Pelinka Sr., a high school basketball coach, and Mrs. Pelinka, whose name is not publicly disclosed.

Raised in Lake Bluff, Illinois, he grew up immersed in basketball, learning fundamentals from his father. At Lake Forest High School, Pelinka was a standout guard, earning All-American honours and leading his team to their first conference championship as a junior in 1987, averaging over 29 points per game.

Robert attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business in 1993 with a 3.9 GPA and a Juris Doctor cum laude from Michigan Law School in 1996. His ethnicity is Caucasian, and his religious affiliation is not publicly known.

Career

Rob Pelinka’s professional journey began on the basketball court as a point guard for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1988 to 1993. During his collegiate career, he played alongside the iconic “Fab Five” and was part of the team that won the NCAA Championship in 1989.

Despite receiving offers to play professionally in Europe, Pelinka opted for a legal career, earning his J.D. and passing the Illinois bar in 1996 before joining the prestigious law firm Mayer Brown. His transition into sports management came in 1998 when renowned agent Arn Tellem recruited him to SFX Management.

There, Pelinka worked with elite NBA players, including Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and Eddy Curry. By 2003, he had become Kobe Bryant’s agent during the height of Bryant’s legal troubles and went on to establish The Landmark Sports Agency.

Through this agency, he represented multiple top NBA draft picks, including Derrick Williams, Dion Waiters, and Andre Drummond. However, Pelinka’s agency tenure also saw notable separations, including his resignation as Kevin Durant’s agent in 2013 and a controversial split with Carlos Boozer in 2004.

In March 2017, Pelinka was appointed General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, stepping into a high-profile executive role following a front-office overhaul that included the departure of Mitch Kupchak. He initially worked under Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who later publicly accused him of “backstabbing” after his resignation in 2019.

Despite the controversy, Pelinka quickly demonstrated his executive acumen, orchestrating the high-profile signing of LeBron James in 2018 and pulling off a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis in 2019. These moves culminated in the Lakers winning the 2020 NBA Championship, tying the franchise with the Boston Celtics for the most titles in league history.

In the years that followed, Pelinka made headlines with bold decisions, including the 2021 acquisition of Russell Westbrook—widely criticized in hindsight—and his 2025 masterstroke trade for Luka Dončić, which sent Anthony Davis to Dallas and reshaped the Lakers’ roster.

That season, the team finished as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, affirming Pelinka’s strategic impact. Beyond high-profile trades and free agent signings, Pelinka has also demonstrated strong talent evaluation skills, notably in the undrafted signing and development of guard Austin Reaves.

In 2024, his hiring of former player JJ Redick as head coach and the drafting of Bronny James drew considerable public attention, further cementing his role as one of the NBA’s most visible and polarizing executives.

Though sometimes criticized for embellished narratives and controversial personnel decisions, Pelinka’s track record of championship success and front-office resilience has solidified his standing in the league.

His contributions were formally recognized with a contract extension in April 2025, ensuring his continued leadership as the Lakers’ President of Basketball Operations.

Social Media

Rob Pelinka is not on social media.

Personal Life

Rob Pelinka married Kristin Brett Schwarz, a pediatrician, in August 2005, just two months after their engagement in June of that year. The couple has two children, Durham and Emery, and they reside in Los Angeles, California. Despite his prominent role in the NBA, Pelinka maintains a relatively private personal life, choosing to keep his family out of the public eye.

One of the most significant relationships in his life was with the late Kobe Bryant, whom he considered not just a client but a brother. Their deep bond extended beyond the professional realm, with Pelinka often speaking about Kobe’s legacy and the profound impact he had on his life.

Net Worth

Rob Pelinka has an estimated net worth of $25 million, derived from his NBA executive salary, a four-year, $20 million contract with the Lakers, and his earlier earnings as a sports agent, where he earned roughly 4% of clients’ salaries and bonuses, including major contracts for Kobe Bryant and others.

His investments through The Landmark Sports Agency and real estate ventures in Los Angeles further contribute to his wealth, reflecting his success in basketball and business.