Report: Lakers won't hire president of basketball ops to replace Magic

The Los Angeles Lakers have elected not to hire a new president of basketball operations to replace Magic Johnson, a team source told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Rob Pelinka will carry on as the team's general manager and report directly to ownership after having previously reported to Johnson.

Johnson abruptly stepped down from his position in an impromptu press conference April 9 ahead of the Lakers' final game of the regular season. He revealed that he hadn't informed either Pelinka or Lakers president and controlling owner Jeanie Buss of his decision and said that he wanted to go back to having fun and being who he was prior to taking the job.

Head coach Luke Walton was relieved of his duties days later and has since been replaced by Frank Vogel.

Buss reportedly considered replacing Johnson after his departure, but she chose to keep Pelinka as her top basketball decision-maker, according to Shelburne's source.

The Lakers have failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last six years, which is by far the longest drought in franchise history. The team ended the 2018-19 season with a 37-45 record.