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The Lakers on Tuesday announced a massive front-office shakeup.
General manager Mitch Kupchak and executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss are out, Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson is in as the organization’s new president of basketball operations.
“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,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. 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.”
The move comes at an odd time, with the NBA’s Feb. 23 trade deadline approaching.
Johnson played each of his 13 NBA seasons with the Lakers, winning five NBA titles and three league MVP awards. He joined the organization in an advisory role earlier this month.
The Lakers are looking for a way to escape from the worst stretch in franchise history. They are on track to miss the postseason for a fourth consecutive season, and have not finished above .500 since 2012-13.
The franchise has a bevvy of young, talented players — Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson — but Kupchak and Buss are also responsible for a number of detrimental decisions that have kept the franchise for returning to prominence.
Johnson hopes he can return to the organization to its former glory.
“It’s a dream come true to return to the Lakers as President of Basketball Operations working closely with Jeanie Buss and the Buss family,” Johnson said. “Since 1979, I’ve been a part of the Laker Nation and I’m passionate about this organization. I will do everything I can to build a winning culture on and off the court. We have a great coach in Luke Walton and good young players. We will work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to NBA champions.”
nmoyle@express-news.net
Twitter: @NRmoyle
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