The Lakers under Mark Walter’s leadership are starting to take it’s change. The latest firings of Joey and Jesse Buss marked a shift. But usually when the top brass is open to changes, it doesn’t stop at one. And with the scouting department being relieved, the focus shifts to GM Rob Pelinka, who is primarily responsible for player acquisitions.

A former NBA executive told Lakers Daily the team should consider firing him for someone with a “smarter basketball mind,”. And there is someone close to Walter who could play a role in doing so. Notably, the executive warned Pelinka, “Mark and Magic [Johnson] are super close. Don’t think for a second that Magic has forgiven Rob for all the backstabbing he did,”. There’s some deep-rooted history between the two former Laker employees who were once close confidantes.

Johnson, a five-time champion with the Lakers, joined the franchise as the director of basketball operations. In 2019, he abruptly quit. And in an explosive explanation on ESPN’s First Take named Rob Pelinka as the reason behind his decision to step down. There was also more to the story. Johnson felt he had lost the ability to make decisions. But this is about evaluating Pelinka, who has been under the microscope for quite some time.

The job of being the general manager of the Lakers comes with lofty demands. You can’t just acquire some talent. LA, being a place of stars and championships, each move needs to drag the needle closer. In Rob Pelinka’s case, he did help the team win in 2020. But since then, the roster has changed faces more than a few times. He decided to disband that championship core. The fact that LeBron James and Anthony Davis only won a single title as a tandem stands out as underwhelming.

But there’s also the contrast. Pelinka is responsible for silently making the biggest trade in recent history. He landed Luka Doncic in LA, giving the team a cornerstone for years to come. Now, it is about building around him. While Mark Walter could show faith in his current GM, Magic Johnson has a direct line that could motivate him to make a change.

Could Magic Johnson be a good replacement for Rob Pelinka?

Just as Pelinka made the move for Doncic, Johnson practically handed the Lakers a championship. In 2018, he personally visited LeBron James, making an irresistible pitch for him to join the Purple and Gold. And his vision for the team comes from knowing exactly what the culture asks from the players.

Johnson’s smile and persona captivated LA, gave birth to the ‘Showtime’ era. He laid the foundations for the Lakers being a franchise associated with championships. And even before quitting from his position, Johnson always had the right vision. Notably, he revealed how he urged Jeanie Buss to find a better coach than Luke Walton. They eventually did that, hiring Frank Vogel.

Johnson also had his footprints all over assembling the young core that helped the Lakers land Anthony Davis. Now, with his connection with Walter through being a minority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Hall of Famer can indeed make a push for Pelinka’s position. In some ways, it would be justice if Magic Johnson was treated unfairly during his stint with the franchise.

This time, there won’t be any intervention. Walter is a savvy sports owner with deep resources and thorough knowledge about what it takes to win. The Dodgers have reached the pinnacle under his leadership. And if he feels Magic Johnson’s basketball insights trump Rob Pelinka, he wouldn’t mind making a bold switch if it means the Lakers can get back on track to winning championships.

Johnson comes with an allure. He’s one of the greatest players of all time, who knows what it takes to maximise a team’s potential. As good as Pelinka might have been, Johnson’s experience as an actual player brings a completely different dynamic to team building. It’s possible that this switch happens. But as of right now, Pelinka’s seat appears to be safe.