Los Angeles Lakers Fire GM Mitch Kupchak — Hire Magic Johnson As President Of Basketball Operations

On Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Lakers finally bit the bullet and fired GM Mitch Kupchak, who was with the organization in various roles since 1986.

Co-Owner/Executive Vice President Jim Buss was relieved of all decision-making abilities by his own sister, Jeanie Buss, and Lakers legend Magic Johnson rode in on a white horse to save the franchise in what can be described as a storyline fit only for Hollywood.

BREAKING: Lakers name Magic Johnson their President of Basketball Ops and fire GM Mitch Kupchak and EVP Jim Buss. https://t.co/UBFoCYqdB9 pic.twitter.com/E72OgsvqBf

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 21, 2017

Jeanie even apologized to Laker Nation for waiting so long to fire everyone.

Jeanie apologizes to Laker nation, explains why she took "too long" to fire her brother and Mitch Kupchak: pic.twitter.com/5WWdvfqeiT

— Sherwob Holmes (@World_Wide_Wob) February 21, 2017

From NBA.com:

“I took these actions today to achieve one goal: Everyone associated with the Lakers will now be pulling in the same direction, the direction established by Earvin and myself,” Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “We are determined to get back to competing to win NBA championships again.”

“I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect. Our search for a new general manager to work with Earvin and coach Luke Walton is well underway, and we hope to announce a new general manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new general manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”

There’s no denying Magic’s knowledge and instincts regarding the game of basketball. But does he really understand the ins and outs of front office duties in the NBA?

During the playoffs last season, Johnson tweeted that he had an easy fix for the Lakers: Just sign LeBron James, Kevin Durant and DeMar DeRozan.

Magic Johnson would fix Lakers by signing LeBron James, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan this summer https://t.co/pKahg1gs7F #lakers #nba

— RantSports (@RantSports) May 2, 2016

Laker Nation: DeMar DeRozan should be one of the free agents we go after this summer.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016

Laker Nation: The Lakers should call LeBron James agent. We know he's going stay in CLE but they should go after him just in case he leaves.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016