For the first time since 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers are gaining new ownership, but are expected to regain their familiar face to carry out their day-to-day operations.
Jerry Bass bought the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and under him and his family, won 11 NBA finals between “Showtime”, Shack and Kobe period, Kobe Bryant and Pogersol, and LeBron James Experience.
This summer, the Bass Family sold its Lakers stake to billionaire Mark Walter for $10 billion. Walter also owns the Dodgers in Los Angeles and is expected to spend, spend and spend to keep the Lakers competitive as they pivot on Luka Donsic as the face of the franchise.
It’s all linked since Bus bought the team, his family, the Lakers and Magic Johnson. Magic then took a step back after rebutting with Jeannie Bass, but his relationship with Walter may see him folded and come back.
For two years from 2017 to 2019, Johnson served as president of the Lakers basketball operations. Under his guidance, they signed James but failed to make the playoffs, but it wasn’t until he resigned that the Lakers won the 2020 final.
Johnson is one of the best players in the Lakers’ renowned franchise, but he has since been more involved with MLB and owns stakes in the Ohio State Dodgers and minor league teams.
Johnson cited “backstabs and whispers” for leaving the Lakers front office. Bus will continue to act as a team governor after sales, but if Walter has more of a say and Johnson wants to replace Rob Perinka, Magic is expected to get a job.
“He might be the guy in Mark that he put there to see how it should go,” predicted Byron Scott.
“And Mark is probably the only guy he reports.
“One of the problems was when he was with the Lakers he wanted full autonomy and what I had heard, and Genie gave him that, and he wanted to make changes to the front office.
Johnson wanted to make a decision for the Lakers while Perinka was in office, a GM and Bass’ family not comfortable, but the legend allowed Walter to support him and give him faith in making basketball decisions.
He referenced Walter about Johnson’s relationship, saying, “Now you have ownership, so you don’t have to ask anyone.”
LeBron and Magic are friends, but James is notified before James that Bass’ family has sold the team, as Walter and Johnson understand that Luka Donsic is the Lakers’ present and future.
James is still an elite player, but he will be 41 this season. Donsic is just beginning to enter his prime, and is a megastar with his own rights, the type of player the Lakers can build for 10 years.
Johnson has been a long-time Don Sic fan and was uplifted when the Lakers traded for him.
Walter and Magic have a much better relationship than Magic and Bass’ family, especially Genie, so with the new ownership, it’s not a big deal for Johnson to return to the Lakers.