Kirby Lee/Imagn
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka pulled off perhaps the heist of the century when he managed to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick. Pelinka and company officially welcomed Doncic into the fold on Tuesday with an introductory press conference, but it was the team’s GM who stole the show.
It wasn’t anything that Pelinka said that made headlines, however. Instead, it was the way that he dressed. The 55-year-old former college basketball star pulled up to the press conference rocking a leather jacket that looked straight out of a scene from the show “Happy Days.”
First look at Luka Doncic with his Lakers jersey 🔥 pic.twitter.com/c9L4ohvlvS
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) February 4, 2025
Both Lakers fans and basketball fans in general were quick to cook Pelinka for a jacket that both had too many zippers and looked at least one size too small.
“I can’t believe another NBA GM got swindled by a man wearing a jacket like Pelinka,” Barstool Sports’ Bobby Reagan wrote.
“I want to listen to this press conference but the zippers on Pelinka’s jacket are burning my eyes,” wrote Twitter user @JoeyDosik.
Ultimately, however, it’s Pelinka who gets the last laugh having acquired one of the league’s best players and a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
““Luka is a one-of-a-kind, young global superstar who will lead this franchise for years to come,” he said in the statement about the trade. “His killer instincts and commitment to winning championships will be a driving force for the team. We will be relentless in building a roster around the oncourt vision Coach Redick has for this basketball team and there is an unwavering commitment to that work to serve our loyal and dedicated fans. We are grateful for today and look forward to what’s next.”