Rick Fox Talks Magic Johnson's New Lakers Role, Wants Kobe Bryant to Join Team
Count former Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox among those excited about a Magic Johnson-helmed front office.
"Success is pretty much Magic's middle name, right?" Fox told TMZ Sports on Tuesday. "The workload won't be too much for him. It will be right up his wheelhouse when it comes to knowledge of the game and knowledge of personnel. He's been an analyst, he's been a coach, he's been an owner. When it comes to the Lakers, he's been a player. He has all the touch points to give him the ability to succeed but also the drive and passion around the Laker organization to want to see this rise again to prominence...[it was] wise on Jeanie Buss' part to convince him and be able to get him to make that shift...It's a blessing for the Lakers."
Johnson was named the Lakers' new president of basketball operations Tuesday. In corresponding moves, the Lakers parted ways with longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak and vice president of player operations Jim Buss. The son of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss, Jim will maintain his ownership stake but will no longer have a say in player personnel.
Johnson will have final say over player personnel and will hire a day-to-day general manager.
"First call I make if I'm in charge? Kobe Bryant," Johnson said on ESPN's First Take last week. "Because Kobe understands winning. He understands, also, these players. I would call: 'What role you want? ... If you've got a day, just give me that day.' I'll take that. Whatever time he has, I want him to come and be a part of it."
Fox said he would support Bryant and Johnson teaming together in some form within the Lakers front office.
"He could even put on a jersey for me if he wanted to," Fox said. "One-hundred percent, Kobe Bryant anywhere around the organization bodes well for all of us. Just his presence. Just like Magic's presence bodes well for things moving forward. I don't know what Kobe will be available to do because his business ventures outside the game have taken him around the world globally...But I'm sure now, with that invitation, maybe he will take an interest in some form or fashion—maybe even if it's a small one. But it would add value."
Fox played with the Lakers from 1997-2004, serving as an instrumental veteran during Bryant's development and their three-peat championship run from 2000-2002. He previously named Bryant as the greatest Laker of all time during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio.
While it's unclear if Bryant has any interest in a formal role, it's clear he'll have some level of influence. Rob Pelinka, Bryant's longtime agent, is widely expected to be named the Lakers' next general manager. In reporting on the matter, Sam Amick of USA Today reported Bryant was "pushing hard" for Pelinka to get the job.
Pelinka has no history of basketball operations experience but is one of the NBA's most powerful agents. In addition to Bryant, he also reps James Harden, Eric Gordon and Chris Bosh, among others. He would have to relinquish those clients and his vested interest in their finances to take the Lakers job.
