LeBron James, Pau Gasol welcome director of sports performance Judy Seto back to the Lakers

Free agency is still over a month away, but the Los Angeles Lakers have already made their first big signing of the summer. On Friday, the team officially announced they were bringing back Judy Seto. Seto served as the team’s head physical therapist from 2011-2016 and is famous for working closely with Kobe Bryant.

However, Seto isn’t returning to the Lakers to be a physical therapist. This time around, she will serve as the team’s director of sports performance, a new position created just for her Here’s more on Seto’s new gig courtesy of the press release sent out by the team on Friday:

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Judy Seto, DPT, SCS, OCS, CSCS, MBA, PES, CES, as Director of Sports Performance, it was announced today. Seto will report to General Manager Rob Pelinka and will oversee the medical care and optimize the health and performance of Lakers players.

Following the announcement of Seto’s return, she was met with congratulations from faces both old and new. First, LeBron James sent out a tweet welcoming Seto back to the organization.

James likely won’t be working alongside Seto much, as he prefers to work with his right hand man Mike Mancias, but it was still a kind gesture.

Shortly after, Pau Gasol sent a tweet congratulating Seto. Gasol and Seto worked with each other for three years.

Nobody needed more evidence that Gasol is the sweetest person in the NBA — and arguably the world — but he gave it to us anyway.

For a more in-depth look at what Seto will bring to the team going forward, check out this profile by our own 3cbPerformance from earlier this month.

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