Lakers hire former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor for GM Rob Pelinka
The Los Angeles Lakers are injecting championship pedigree into their front office, tapping one of the most respected minds in recent college basketball history to overhaul their scouting process. On Wednesday, the team announced the hiring of former Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Bennett as a dedicated NBA Draft advisor to General Manager Rob Pelinka.
The move marks a significant return to the basketball spotlight for Bennett, who stunned the collegiate landscape by retiring in October 2024. Known for his methodical "Pack Line" defense and an unwavering commitment to discipline, Bennett spent 15 seasons in Charlottesville, culminating in a national title in 2019. Now, Rob Pelinka hopes to translate Bennett’s elite eye for talent evaluation to the professional level as the franchise prepares for a critical offseason.
"As we refine and build out our NBA Draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource," Pelinka said in a statement released by the team. "Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill, and high-IQ players, is revered and respected across all basketball circles."
Bennett’s role will not replace existing scouts but rather serve as a high-level consultant, specifically focused on identifying players who fit the "culture" Pelinka has frequently emphasized. During his tenure at Virginia, Bennett was renowned for identifying and developing undervalued prospects who transitioned seamlessly to the NBA, including Malcolm Brogdon, Trey Murphy III, De’Andre Hunter, and Sam Hauser. His system produced exactly the type of 3-and-D role players and high-efficiency decision-makers that the Los Angeles Lakers have desperately needed to surround their superstars.
For Bennett, the advisory position offers a soft entry back into the game without the grueling demands of coaching or the modern complexities of the NCAA transfer portal that contributed to his retirement. For the Los Angeles Lakers, it represents a shift toward a "best available mind" approach, mirroring the strategy often employed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose ownership group shares ties with the Lakers. With the 2026 NBA Draft approaching, Bennett’s influence on the war room could be the subtle edge the franchise needs to uncover the next steal of the draft.
The move marks a significant return to the basketball spotlight for Bennett, who stunned the collegiate landscape by retiring in October 2024. Known for his methodical "Pack Line" defense and an unwavering commitment to discipline, Bennett spent 15 seasons in Charlottesville, culminating in a national title in 2019. Now, Rob Pelinka hopes to translate Bennett’s elite eye for talent evaluation to the professional level as the franchise prepares for a critical offseason.
"As we refine and build out our NBA Draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource," Pelinka said in a statement released by the team. "Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill, and high-IQ players, is revered and respected across all basketball circles."
Bennett’s role will not replace existing scouts but rather serve as a high-level consultant, specifically focused on identifying players who fit the "culture" Pelinka has frequently emphasized. During his tenure at Virginia, Bennett was renowned for identifying and developing undervalued prospects who transitioned seamlessly to the NBA, including Malcolm Brogdon, Trey Murphy III, De’Andre Hunter, and Sam Hauser. His system produced exactly the type of 3-and-D role players and high-efficiency decision-makers that the Los Angeles Lakers have desperately needed to surround their superstars.
For Bennett, the advisory position offers a soft entry back into the game without the grueling demands of coaching or the modern complexities of the NCAA transfer portal that contributed to his retirement. For the Los Angeles Lakers, it represents a shift toward a "best available mind" approach, mirroring the strategy often employed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose ownership group shares ties with the Lakers. With the 2026 NBA Draft approaching, Bennett’s influence on the war room could be the subtle edge the franchise needs to uncover the next steal of the draft.
