All signs point to the Los Angeles Lakers continuing their playoff drought this season. The Lakers are currently sporting a 19-37 record and with 26 games to go and in all likelihood will be watching the NBA playoffs from home with Luke Walton focusing on the 2017-18 campaign.
With the Lakers on pace for a fourth straight losing season, the team could go through some changes in the offseason with Magic Johnson leading the way as an advisor to team president, Jeanie Buss. Johnson believes it will take anywhere from three to five years to complete the rebuilding process in Los Angeles; Walton agrees with this assessment, via Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News:
“Three to five years sounds normal for a rebuild.”
Walton and Johnson have yet to touch base in person regarding the five-time NBA champion’s new role with the franchise. The two agreed to meet up when the Grammy road trip came to an end, but Walton is currently focused on preparing for back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday, via Medina:
“When I get some free time, I would love and looking forward toward sitting down with Magic,” Walton said. “It’s going to happen. There’s just no time right now.”
Johnson, who has been extremely vocal as of late, is currently in an advisory role with the franchise. Jeanie brought on the Lakers legend to help evaluate the current state of the team and the direction in which it is heading.
Although Johnson is an advisor at present, the 57-year-old has been adamant about wanting to have a much more substantial role as a decision maker in the front office.
Walton, who signed a four-year deal with the team last summer, is a part of the long-term future and will need to get on the same page with Magic at some point regardless of potential player movement and offseason changes.
