There has been a shakeup with the Lakers, and now, Magic Johnson is in control.
“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said in a statement, later adding, “Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order.”
At the beginning of February, Johnson was hired as an advisor to Buss, who was president, and Buss handed over power less than three weeks later.
On Tuesday, Johnson was announced as president of operations, which also means that GM Mitch Kupchak was fired.
For Johnson’s part, he said that he would “work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to NBA champions.”
It’s also worth watching to see what happens with Kobe Bryant, who Johnson had earlier said would be one of his first calls if he got the promotion. We’ll have to wait and see if that means a general manager spot for Bryant or not.
Of course, this move also squashes rumors that Phil Jackson would leave the presidency of the Knicks organization for the Lakers.