Former Virginia head coach Tony Bennett has joined the Los Angeles Lakers as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and GM Rob Pelinka, signaling a strategic push to strengthen talent evaluation.

Virginia honored Bennett with a ceremonial court dedication at John Paul Jones Arena after a win over Miami, underscoring his lasting impact on the program.

Pelinka praised Bennett for his culture-building, high-character and high-IQ player development, calling him an incredible asset to the basketball leadership, scouts, and draft department.

The Lakers hold first-round picks through 2032, with the 2027 pick owed to Utah, shaping long-term draft capital and strategy.

The hire comes as part of a broader effort to build a new core around LeBron James and to plan for free agency and future roster construction.

Past drafting outcomes include hits like undrafted Austin Reaves and second-rounder Max Christie, with misses such as Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dalton Knecht, while late picks Bronny James and Adou Thiero have yet to impact the team.

The announcement was reported February 25, 2026, by the Associated Press in the context of the Lakers’ front-office activity.

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The broader offseason context features significant cap space and a push to emulate the Dodgers’ front-office model with expanded staff and analytics.

Lakers aim to reconstitute college scouting, expand the pro scouting department, and strengthen analytics to build a stronger talent pipeline under Pelinka and new business operations president Lon Rosen.

Luka Dončić recently signed a three-year extension, signaling him as the franchise’s near-term priority.

With recent success avoiding a lottery pick, the Lakers are expected to target impact players later in the draft, focusing on late first or second-round prospects.