This is crazy and out of nowhere but it's honestly probably the best thing for the Lakers moving forward. They did a horrible job last offseason (other than LeBron, of course) and the stuff about Magic not being committed has been out there for some time. Not sure what you do with Pelinka but I think they should hire a more experienced front office executive now.
This is embarrassing but this is also the best thing that could have happened. He needed to be removed.
Magic is 60. He is a very successful businessman. He clearly doesn’t want to spend the required time to run the team, which is totally fine. He wants to relax and I can’t blame him, it’s one thing to run a team but running the preeminent franchise in the league is a whole different story. I think he took the job at first cause he and Jeanie Buss are really close and he knew the team needed a face/recognizable name to get things going. At the end of the day he did finally bring a star to the team, the biggest one in the league at that. That was his main goal.
His main purpose was to convince LeBron to leave Cleveland again and he accomplished that. But I also feel that he is taking the bullet for the disappointing season they have had and leaving with his tail between his legs. As others have stated it's the best for both parties.
Magic jumping off that sinking ship before his executive reputation gets completely sewered if not already. I'm sure Lakers fans don't mind.
Good move, but welcome to another leGM era. Lakers are gonna compete for 2 years and then become the Cavaliers.
Agreed. He tried to coach and be a talk show host and both lasted 1-2 months, because he just didn't have the skills. He should give his huge multi-year salary back. Unless they can get a good President, coach, and top 10 player, they will be a lottery team for the rest of LeBron's career. When you're rebuilding a young team don't sign an old guy like LeBron. Duh.
Even Chiarelli at least made the playoffs once while he possessed McDavid, RNH, Leon . Magic couldn't even Do that with Bron and Lonzo
How to drive a franchise in the ground despite getting the 2nd best player to ever play the game 101, by Magic Johnson. Love how he took the coward's way out as well. Same as with the Dream Team where he let MJ and Scottie play the boogiemen despite him not wanting Isaiah as well.
Don't they have a GM to do that sort of day-to-day stuff? This one's on Jeanie Buss, should've never hired Magic in the first place.
Agreed. Rob was Kobe's agent and had no front office experience. Just to give a little Lakers front office history the game when Kobe tore his achilles Steve Blake and Earl Clark were starters and the 2nd man off the bench was Jodie Meeks. (not rolling my eyes at TY)
I dont think so. Buss isnt going to let LeBron run the team like Gilbert did. Especially now that while hes still one of the best in the league, he isnt at his peak anymore. She wont rollover like Gilbert did - mind you he had no choice after the infamous Cosmic Sans Letter. The Russell trade had to be done. After he filmed Young admitting to cheating on his fiancee and leaked it, there was no way that locker room was going to respect him. Tho he really should have kept Randle at least for 1 year. I think they have a good chance at bringing the logo back. He is super close w/ the Buss family.
As an advisor, perhaps. Don't think he's going to be the GM at his age. He knows the job and what it takes to be good at it (unlike Magic) and I don't think he's up for it at this point.
This could become even more of a circus if/when this article comes out....... Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers’ president of basketball operations
Didn't know you are good friends with him... thanks Pelinka is fine as GM. West just needs to be an "adviser" i.e someone who can move mountains for the GM and get things going.