The Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new phase both on and off the court, following significant changes in leadership and player roster. The arrival of Luka Doncic provides the team with a new superstar to build around. Off the court, Mark Walter has become the majority owner of the Lakers. Walter also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, known for their consistent success in Major League Baseball.
Under Walter’s ownership, there is increased collaboration between the Lakers and Dodgers organizations. Personnel from both teams are beginning to work together more closely. Lou Rosen has been named as the Lakers’ new president of business operations, succeeding Tim Harris at the end of the 2025-26 season. Rosen previously served as executive vice president and chief of marketing for the Dodgers and has longstanding ties to Magic Johnson, having worked with him during his earlier tenure with the Lakers and later as his agent.
Rosen addressed speculation about Magic Johnson’s involvement with the Lakers going forward. He clarified that while Johnson will continue to be present around the team, he will not hold any official or day-to-day role. “Earvin is one of the most unique individuals I’ve known in my life, and he’s one of my closest friends,” Rosen said. “I’ve known him since we were both 19. Earvin’s involved with all types of things. He owns football teams, baseball teams, soccer teams, insurance companies, a lot of things. He’s always going to have some type of involvement with all the teams, but he is not going to have a day-to-day involvement. It’s going to be no different since he left the Lakers.
“Obviously, he’s a huge fan of the Lakers, but he’s not going to be, ‘Hey, Rob, go sign this player. Do that.’ He’ll always be involved with all the teams that he’s involved in, but no, he’s not going to have day-to-day involvement at all. He is a super Laker fan and he’ll continue to be a super Laker fan. It’s not bad to have that.”
Johnson previously served as president of basketball operations for two seasons before stepping down unexpectedly but remains an active supporter from outside official roles.
Rosen also confirmed that Rob Pelinka will remain in charge of basketball operations for now despite other changes in leadership positions within the organization. Additionally, executives from Walter’s Dodgers operation—Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi—will provide support when needed as part of closer cooperation between franchises.
Further changes within Lakers management are expected over coming months as these transitions take effect.
