Lakers legend Magic Johnson has been promoted to president of basketball operations, the team announced Tuesday.
Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties as general manager, and Jim Buss no longer will serve as the executive vice 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,” stated Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ president, governor and co-owner. “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.”
She added: “I took these actions today to achieve one goal: Everyone associated with the Lakers will now be pulling in the same direction, the direction established by Earvin and myself. We are determined to get back to competing to win NBA championships again.”
Johnson said in the same statement: “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. 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.”
The Lakers also have parted ways with John Black, who had been the Lakers’ vice president of public relations.
Caption Dodgers FanFest: Take me out to the ball game
Sights and sounds from Saturday’s Dodgers FanFest at Dodger Stadium.
Sights and sounds from Saturday’s Dodgers FanFest at Dodger Stadium.
Caption Dodgers FanFest: Take me out to the ball game
Sights and sounds from Saturday’s Dodgers FanFest at Dodger Stadium.
Sights and sounds from Saturday’s Dodgers FanFest at Dodger Stadium.
Caption Tom Brady leads Patriots to epic Super Bowl comeback victory
After a first half in which he played like that impostor in a Tom Brady mask, the New England Patriots quarterback put on a Super Bowl performance for the ages Sunday, leading his team back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, 34-28.
After a first half in which he played like that impostor in a Tom Brady mask, the New England Patriots quarterback put on a Super Bowl performance for the ages Sunday, leading his team back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, 34-28.
Caption Chargers owners discuss move to Los Angeles
Chargers owners Dean and John Spanos talk about the team as it prepares to relocate to L.A.
Chargers owners Dean and John Spanos talk about the team as it prepares to relocate to L.A.
Caption Sean McVay is introduced as the Rams coach
New Rams Coach Sean McVay talks about his vision for the team.
New Rams Coach Sean McVay talks about his vision for the team.
Caption Breaking down the Chargers move to L.A.
Lindsey Thiry and Nathan Fenno discuss the Chargers’ announcement they are moving to Los Angeles.
Lindsey Thiry and Nathan Fenno discuss the Chargers’ announcement they are moving to Los Angeles.
charles.schilken@latimes.com
Twitter: @chewkiii
ALSO
Lakers have two Rising Stars, but no All-Stars for the first time in 21 years
Plaschke: The signs are all there: Magic Johnson is the man in charge of the Los Angeles Lakers
Five questions to keep in mind as the NBA trade deadline approaches
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
