The influence of Kobe Bryant within the Los Angeles Lakers will continue to be felt now that his agent is general manager.

“Kobe,” Pelinka said, “what Michelangelo is to art, what Beethoven is to music, what Shakespeare is to words, you are to me as a friend, and the Lakers. So thank you.”

Pelinka called Bryant “a North star” for the Lakers leadership.

“There’s no way to separate Kobe’s impact from the Lakers from everything we do,” Pelinka said. “It’s like the sugar that dissolves in your coffee in the morning. He’s 100 percent behind everything Laker and will continue to be.”

Jeanie Buss met with Bryant shortly before she decided to enact the Lakers' regime change and he recommended Pelinka.