NASA Rocket Scientist Joins Lakers' Front Office

The Lakers are doubling down on analytics, making a surprising move by hiring Rohan Ramadas as Assistant General Manager, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. This addition to the front office structure will report directly to Rob Pelinka.

Ramadas joins from the Pelicans, where he rapidly ascended the ranks over the past two years, moving from Senior Director of Analytics and Innovation to Vice President of Strategy and Operations in just one year. His connection to the New Orleans team, however, spans longer, having served as an analytics consultant for eight seasons before taking on a full-time role.

The new executive's background is unconventional. Beyond his NBA experience, which also includes a stint as a draft analyst for the Heat in the 2016-17 season, Ramadas boasts a solid career in aerospace engineering.

According to the Pelicans, he dedicated over a decade to working as an engineer for entities such as the Aerospace Corporation, the U.S. Space Force, and NASA, specializing in guidance, navigation, and control for rocket missions. An ESPN source succinctly described his profile: "He is, literally, a rocket scientist."

This hiring comes during a crucial offseason for the Los Angeles club. With LeBron James a free agent, the team faces the possibility of a significant overhaul, potentially built around Luka Doncic. While James's return isn't ruled out, the priority might be rejuvenating the squad, with Doncic stepping into a leading role.

Ramadas's focus is expected to be on data analysis and the development of statistical models. Rob Pelinka himself had previously indicated that the new assistant GM role would concentrate on "salary cap, analytics, and data." At the Pelicans, Ramadas was responsible for creating artificial intelligence models to support management decisions.

According to ESPN, the Lakers aren't stopping there and are still looking to hire another assistant general manager, this time with a profile more geared towards draft analysis.