The Los Angeles Lakers will not hire a replacement for Magic Johnson, who abruptly stepped down from his role as president of basketball operations last month. After abruptly losing Magic Johnson last month, the Los Angeles Lakers are not planning to hire a replacement. The Lakers will not hire a new president of basketball operations, and instead keep general manager Rob Pelinka in his role while reporting directly to team owner Jeanie Buss, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.