The Los Angeles Lakers have a new sheriff in town. At least, in the front office.
Magic Johnson is now in charge of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers. In a move considered to be long overdue, Jim Buss is finally out from the Lakers. With nothing but struggles for the Lakers within the past few years, there is much reason to buy into the hype that Magic Johnson brings.
Firstly, while the Lakers may not be doing well this year, the future outlook is definitely bright. Magic is inheriting a team with a very young core and a coach who definitely knows what he’s doing with Luke Walton. Walton’s short stint last season with the Golden State Warriors (while Steve Kerr was recovering from back surgery) provided a quick glimpse into what Walton can do with a solid team.
Moreover, the team now has the second-worst record in the NBA. This means that the Lakers have a chance at getting a lottery pick for the 2017 NBA Draft, which could add to the already strong young core that is present. There are quite a good number of prospects that the Lakers could look at acquiring in this draft, though there will need to be quite a bit of luck involved for the Lakers.
One of the biggest pluses with Magic Johnson is probably free agency. Magic Johnson gives players around the NBA a reason to come to the Lakers. Many players previously had no reason to come to Los Angeles to play for the Lakers. There was no hope and no evident plan for players to believe in previously with the Lakers. Magic Johnson understands basketball very well, and without a doubt, Luke Walton and Magic Johnson will be able to work together to create a solid plan. Thus, with someone like Magic Johnson in charge now, who has a winner’s mentality and great basketball reputation, free agents have more reason to come to Los Angeles and perhaps be a part of something great.
Without a doubt, the Lakers have great reason to be optimistic about their future. It will surely take a lot of time, but if Lonzo Ball’s father’s comments have indicated anything, people are excited about the arrival of Magic Johnson to the Lakers’ front office. The impacts of his arrival will take effect this offseason. Nevertheless, we can expect great things for the Lakers once again.
