Magic Johnson takes control of the Lakers; Kobe next?
The NBA world was rattled with a shockwave of massive proportions Tuesday when the Los Angeles Lakers cleaned out the front office and put Magic Johnson in charge.
The biggest moves: firing 17-year General Manager Mitch Kupchak and replacing 12-year Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Jim Buss, with Magic Johnson.
"Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me," Lakers Governor Jeannie Buss said in a statement, via NBA.com. "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. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness."
Johnson joined the Lakers as a special advisor last month.
The Lakers are going to miss the playoffs for a third consecutive year, the longest such streak in franchise history.
On Valentine's Day, Johnson told ESPN that he would try to bring Kobe Bryant into a front office role if he moved up the Laker ladder, which he now clearly has.
As it turns out (whether it means anything or not), Kobe was spending time with Jeannie Buss earlier this month. Hmm?
