Magic Johnson to Stay Close to Lakers Without Daily Duties, Says Lon Rosen
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Incoming Los Angeles Lakers president of business operations Lon Rosen said Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson will remain a visible presence around the franchise but will have no role in its everyday decision-making.
“He’ll always be involved with all the teams he’s connected to, but he won’t have day-to-day involvement,” Rosen told reporters, emphasizing that Johnson will not direct general manager Rob Pelinka on roster moves. “He is a super Laker fan and will continue to be a super Laker fan. It’s not bad to have that.”
Lakers Under New Ownership
The comments came as the Lakers navigate a broader transition. Mark Walter, who also controls the Los Angeles Dodgers, recently became the NBA club’s majority owner. Walter tapped Rosen—formerly the Dodgers’ executive vice president and chief marketing officer—to oversee Lakers business operations after longtime executive Tim Harris departs at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Continuity in Basketball Operations
Rosen confirmed that Pelinka will remain in charge of basketball operations. He added that Dodgers executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi are expected to provide support, giving Pelinka additional resources as the organization adjusts to new leadership.
Johnson’s History With the Franchise
Johnson served as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations from 2017 to 2019 before resigning abruptly. Despite stepping away from formal duties, he has consistently attended games and publicly backed the team. Johnson is also part owner of several professional sports franchises.
The Lakers’ off-court changes coincide with significant on-court developments, including the arrival of Luka Dončić as the franchise’s next cornerstone player.
Source: LakersNation.com
