Los Angeles Lakers Do Well In First NBA Trade Deadline Under Magic Johnson

The Los Angeles Lakers were in a tough position without a general manager for the NBA Trade Deadline, but Magic Johnson did well in his first shot leading the organization.

The Los Angeles Lakers made a huge change just days before the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline. Team governor Jeanie Buss decided it was time to make a change within the organization and decided to shake up the front office.

Buss fired long-time general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of public relations, John Black. Her brother, Jim Buss, was essentially fired as well as he was stripped of his title as vice president of basketball operations. Taking over the lead in the front office would be Lakers great, Magic Johnson.

Johnson had been brought on earlier in February in an advisory role for ownership. He was promoted just weeks later and was named president of basketball operations. It was a huge move for multiple reasons.

For starters, Kupchak and Jim Buss had been with the team for decades. Kupchak had been a part of the Lakers front office for 30 seasons, 17 of which he was the general manager. The Lakers were one of the best franchises in the NBA under Kupchak in terms of championships and regular season wins.

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Another reason for it being a huge move was because the trade deadline was just days away and the Lakers were without a general manager. Johnson was not promoted to be general manager; the role has since been filled by agent Rob Pelinka but heading into the trade deadline, the Lakers did not have one.

That left Johnson in the lead as the acting general manager. Johnson has admitted to not being savvy in regards to the NBA collective bargaining agreement and he is trying to learn more about it.

That would seemingly put the Lakers behind the eight-ball. With the trade deadline about 48 hours away, the organization was left in the hands of someone with limited knowledge on the cap and the intricacies of making a deal. It was a recipe for disaster, but Johnson rose to the occasion and made the best of the situation.

The Lakers had plenty of players that were garnering interest on the trade market. Lou Williams was one of the best players available at the deadline, while Nick Young was also receiving some interest. The Lakers were hoping to move overpriced veterans Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov as well.

With so many possibilities and rumors swirling, a person can be easily overwhelmed, especially one as inexperienced as Johnson. But, he kept his cool and actually did well.

Johnson would execute two deals that went hand in hand with each other. Johnson ended up trading Williams to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Corey Brewer and a 2017 first round pick. He then made another move with the Rockets, sending point guard Marcelo Huertas to Houston in exchange for Tyler Ennis.

While taking on Brewer wasn’t ideal, he gives the Lakers another veteran presence to help bring along the younger players. The prize in that deal was the first round pick. Landing a first-rounder, even though it will more than likely be in the late 20’s, was a great get for Williams. It gives the team more ammunition if they want to swing for the fences on a big trade in the offseason.

Moving Williams also accomplishes the goal of tanking. While the Lakers won’t admit to wanting to lose games, it is probably best for the organization if they do. The Lakers need to land a top-three pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, otherwise that pick will be heading to the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition to losing that pick, the Lakers would lose their 2019 pick to the Orlando Magic.

That is something Johnson could not allow to happen. By trading Williams, he lowers the Lakers chances of winning games on a nightly basis. He also opened up minutes to take a look at some of the younger players on the roster. One of the players that could also receive a look is Ennis, who is set to hit free agency following the season as his fourth-year option was not picked up over the summer by the Rockets.

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While Johnson didn’t find a deal for Young, he did well to land a first-rounder and put the Lakers in a better position to hold onto their first round picks in 2017 and 2019. The trade deadline could have been a disaster for the Lakers with the decision to overhaul the front office, but Johnson took the reins and had a solid trade deadline to help keep the Lakers on the rebuilding track.

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