Kobe Bryant's Agent, Rob Pelinka, Reportedly Will Be New Lakers GM

The Los Angeles Lakers will be turning to a familiar face in their search for a new general manager, as Kobe Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, is reportedly set to be hired.

Pelinka and the Lakers are finalizing a multiyear deal, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, who added he will begin working soon. Bryant was "pushing hard" for Pelinka to become the new Lakers GM, according to Sam Amick of USA Today.

Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding had earlier reported there were "strong indications" Pelinka would assume the GM post after Mitch Kupchak was fired Tuesday, per NBA.com.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reported Pelinka has begun informing clients about the possibility of him being the Lakers GM, adding that he's expected to be announced soon.

Amick had listed former agent Arn Tellem, Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey and former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant as other candidates for the opening.

Per Wojnarowski, hiring Pelinka could be a complicated process since it would force him to cease representing players. He is the president and CEO of Landmark Sports Agency.

In addition to Bryant, Pelinka has represented the likes of James Harden, Andre Iguodala, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, Carlos Boozer and Buddy Hield. Iguodala tweeted about the news:

"It happened fast," Gordon said of Pelinka's move to LA, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Although he has no NBA front office experience, he was a guard at the University of Michigan and part of the Wolverines' 1989 NCAA championship team.

The Lakers relieved Kupchak of his duties after he spent more than two decades on the job, and part-owner Jeanie Buss announced Magic Johnson would be the president of basketball operations.

The Lakers are 14th in the Western Conference at 19-39, and they have not reached the playoffs since 2012-13.