Lakers Rumors: Rob Pelinka’s “Power Will Grow” after Magic Johnson’s resignation

In the aftermath of Magic Johnson’s sudden resignation, there are Los Angeles Lakers rumors that general manager Rob Pelinka “will stay in his job and, if anything, his power will grow.”

There are Los Angeles Lakers rumors abound with the stunning news about Magic Johnson. The Los Angeles Lakers are still reeling from the sudden, shocking resignation of the now-former Lakers’ president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, less than 24 hours ago.

The Lakers conducted their scheduled exit interviews this morning in El Segundo without addressing the elephant in the room. Notably absent from the exit interview schedule were Lakers head coach Luke Walton, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, and Lakers franchise player LeBron James.

Speculation naturally pivoted to who would run basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers at such a crucial juncture for the franchise with the NBA draft, free agency, and summer trade season fast approaching.

The Lakers quickly released a statement shortly after Johnson’s resignation, stating that the team “will work in a measured and methodical fashion to make the right moves for the future of our organization.”

Media and NBA insiders read this statement as the Lakers planning to conduct a full-scale interview and vetting process for the next head of basketball operations, unlike the hasty lack of decision-making process used to hire Johnson and Pelinka for their positions in 2017 that did not include interviewing any candidates.

It appears that the Lakers have yet another sudden plot twist to pile onto this dramatic season.

Sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne that not only will Rob Pelinka “will stay in his job…if anything, his power will grow.”

This should rightfully upset and frustrate Lakers’ fans. Jeanie Buss has a golden opportunity to scour the league to assemble the best front office possible.

Under Pelinka’s stewardship as general manager this season, the Lakers wasted LeBron James’ first season in Los Angeles (and possibly the last season of his prime) by surrounding James with ball-handlers rather than the type of shooters he was accustomed to winning with.

The team endured relentless, embarrassing Anthony Davis trade rumors that alienated and demoralized their young core, decimating any positive “your brother will come pick you up” chemistry the team had at the start of the season. The Lakers also clearly lost the Ivica Zubac–Mike Muscala trade by a mile, much to the laughter of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Pelinka shares the blame in all of these failures.

To make matters worse, Pelinka is “despised” around the league, which is directly counter to a general manager’s job description as a relationship-builder. With only two years of on the job experience, Pelinka would at least benefit from a more seasoned and well-regarded executive to work with or under.

Other more qualified executives than Pelinka, such as former Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager David Griffin, are available for hire. The head of Lakers’ basketball operations is also an enviable position that general managers and executives of other teams would readily leave their positions for.

The Lakers should take their own advice and “work in a measured and methodical fashion to make the right moves for the future of our organization.” Pelinka should be able to interview for the position, but there certainly should be a full-scale hiring process.

Follow Rovee Vanderbilt Pruna on Twitter at @RoveeVanderbilt and email him at roveevanderbilt@gmail.com.