At the conclusion of the 2018-19 NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka were widely expected to fire head coach Luke Walton after three seasons.
Instead, prior to the team’s final game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Johnson resigned at an impromptu press conference at the Staples Center.
While the Lakers still fired Walton, many wondered who would be Johnson’s replacement. However, during the team’s coaching search, it became apparent Pelinka and senior basketball advisor Kurt Rambis had significant roles in hiring former Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel a month later.