Ever since winning their last championship in 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers have undergone a dry spell that’s lasted for the past seven years. From Kobe’s injured seasons that led to a ceremonious retirement, the super-team failure of 2012, Snichgate with Deangelo Russell and the ever revolving door of coaches, the Lakers have been grasping for air in the new NBA landscape. Just recently they missed a chance to bring former Sacramento Kings center Demarcus Cousins, who went to the Pelicans in the biggest steal that’s occurred since the Pau Gasol Grizzlies-Lakers trade of 2008. Although it seems as if nothing is going right for the Lakers, they finally decided to make the right decision. Today, NBA.com reports that Hall-of-Famer Ervin “Magic” Johnson has been appointed as the President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers. Johnson, a five-time NBA champion for the Lakers, comes into the job in the middle of the team’s 19-39 record this season.

With the acquisition of Magic, Mitch Kupchak has been relieved from his position in a culture change for the Lakers. Also, Jim Buss is no longer Lakers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. Laker’s owner Jennie Buss spoke on the hiring, saying, “Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect. Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. 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.”

Magic is the perfect fit for the position, being a Laker for his whole career. His business acumen is undeniable and his presence on the team will no doubt give the Laker players a great role model to look up to with the exit of Kobe Bryant from the team. We’ll definitely see how things shape up. It’ll be pretty odd to see “Magic Johnson removed as President of Basketball Operations” if things don’t go right!