The Los Angeles Lakers are entering an exciting new chapter both on and off the court. With Luka Doncic now donning the iconic purple and gold, the Lakers have their next superstar to rally around.
But the changes don’t stop there. Off the court, Mark Walter has taken over as the majority owner, bringing with him a track record of success from his ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Walter's impact is already being felt as the Lakers and Dodgers start to work more closely together. This collaboration extends to team personnel, with Lou Rosen stepping in as the Lakers' new president of business operations following Tim Harris's departure at the end of the 2025-26 season. Rosen, who was the Dodgers’ executive vice president and chief of marketing, has deep ties to the Lakers, having previously worked with the team and served as Magic Johnson's agent.
Despite his increased responsibilities with the Lakers, Rosen has clarified that Magic Johnson will not return in an official capacity. Johnson, a legendary figure in Lakers history, will continue to be a passionate supporter from the sidelines, maintaining his role as a superfan without daily involvement in team decisions. Rosen emphasized that while Johnson will always be involved in spirit, he won't be making any executive calls.
Johnson’s history with the Lakers is storied, having served as president of basketball operations before stepping down unexpectedly. His enduring support for the team is unwavering, even as he expands his ownership interests across various sports franchises.
As the Lakers navigate these organizational changes, Lou Rosen confirmed that Rob Pelinka will continue to lead the front office. However, with the added expertise of Dodgers’ executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi, Pelinka will have more support in his decision-making process.
The coming months promise to bring more developments for the Lakers, and it will be fascinating to see how this new era unfolds. With a blend of fresh leadership and star power on the court, the Lakers are poised to make waves in the NBA.