When it comes to free agency in the NBA, giving yourself the salary cap space necessary to sign a player means nothing if you can’t convince them to join the team. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that is certainly some of the appeal in having Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka running the front office.
Magic is one of the most charismatic people in all of sports, and Pelinka has plenty of experience negotiating in a number of situations, not to mention his connections and knowledge from years as an agent.
The pair is certainly much different from the previous regime of Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss, and they are already gaining a positive view from the rest of the league.