With just days remaining until the NBA trade deadline, the entire league has been put on notice. First, it was the blockbuster trade of All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans for practically nothing. Â Cousins was playing in the All-Star game in New Orleans while the negotiations went down. Â As if that was not shocking enough, the Lakers announced that they have fired general manager Mitch Kupchak and hired a very familiar face.
Former Lakers great Magic Johnson was named president of basketball operations this afternoon by team owner Jeannie Buss. Â Johnson did not waste much time getting started as the head of the franchise. He announced that he would replace Kupchak with Kobe Bryant’s agent Rob Pelinka. Â Many players currently in the league are represented by Pelinka and had good things to say about him. Eric Gordon said he ‘knows basketball“.
Just moments ago, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski announced that Johnson had also just completed his first trade.  Los Angeles will be sending Lou Williams to Houston in exchange for Corey Brewer and a first round pick.  Not a bad trade for his first one as this will definitely be beneficial  for the Lakers’ future.  They are not competing this season so it is best to get the picks and plan for the next couple of seasons instead of right now.  Williams is having a great season and his trade value, as seen, has never been higher.
