Lakers Rumors: L.A. Pursuing NBA Playoff GM, Execs For Warriors, Clippers Among Possibilities

Los Angeles Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka is running the team’s search for a new head coach, but he might not be the top decision-maker for long. According to multiple reports, L.A. has hopes of hiring a successful general manager of a current NBA team.

Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd reported Wednesday that the Lakers already have Magic Johnson's replacement lined up, and he hasn't officially been hired because he's currently working for a team that's in the postseason.

“I’m also told that the Lakers already have somebody to replace Magic Johnson, and they are communicating with him and he is OKing all these moves,” Cowherd said on his radio show. “He is not currently in the Laker building because he is currently running another team in the NBA that’s in the playoffs. Now that could be a handful of people. It could be a Michael Winger with the Clippers. It could be a Bob Myers of Golden State...there’s a couple other guys out there.”

When Johnson stepped down as the Lakers’ president, it was speculated that the organization would go after the top general managers in basketball. Marc Stein of the New York Times reported earlier this week that teams around the league were surprised that executives like Myers, Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder and R.C. Buford of the San Antonio Spurs had not yet been contacted by Los Angeles.

Now, it's starting to look like the Lakers might be shooting for one of those names, if not another highly thought of general manager.

Sam Amick of The Athletic believes the Lakers’ decision to not even approach David Griffin, who was just hired as the new president of the New Orleans Pelicans, indicates that the organization is aiming to land an even bigger name.

Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors is also considered to be among the league's best executives. The New York Knicks reportedly wanted Ujiri to replace Phil Jackson as their team president two years ago, but he remained in Toronto.

The Lakers reportedly view Philadelphia 76ers’ assistant coach Monty Williams as their top choice to replace Luke Walton as their new head coach. Tyronn Lue is also under consideration for the vacancy.