Reeling Lakers return to practice for first time in Magic Johnson era

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Magic Johnson swept in to soothe the rattled Los Angeles Lakers, a young, struggling team still reeling from front-office upheaval and the trade of leading scorer Lou Williams.

The Hall of Famer's words were brief before practice on Wednesday, with some of the players meeting for the first time with the former star of the franchise's "Showtime" era in the 1980s.

"He's going to come in here and try to make us better, get us back to winning," Lakers guardJordan Clarkson said.

Co-owner Jeanie Buss installed Johnson as president of basketball operations after firing longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak and dismissing her brother Jim as executive vice president of basketball operations a day earlier.

"Everything happened so fast," Lakers rookie coach Luke Walton said. "The initial thought is why do it right before the trade deadline, but Magic came in and we got to work right away."

Walton was processing his own conflicted emotions, having been close to Kupchak and Jim Buss. He spoke to both men on the phone after their ousters, listening as they offered encouraging words about his bright future with the franchise and ability to work with the young roster.

"It was definitely a little sad," Walton said. "I think it's important to remember all the great things they did when they were here too. Then, on the other hand, you have Earvin coming in and he's in there and he's making phone calls. It was great to work with him. It was a unique, interesting day in terms of the emotions going on.

"But the main thing everyone talked about was, 'We have a job to do still.' "

Walton said Johnson spent the past two days at the team's practice facility, talking with him and other employees about focusing on their individual jobs.

"If I'm sitting in a room with Magic and he's selling me on something, most times I'm buying it," Walton said.

Julius Randle experienced "the awe factor" when Johnson addressed the team.

"He is going to be around," the power forward said. "He has an open door policy to talk to him whenever we need to."

Perhaps more important to the players than the front office shake-up was the absence of Williams, who is headed to the Houston Rockets for Corey Brewer and a future draft pick, a deal that has yet to be confirmed by either team. Rookie Brandon Ingram called Williams' departure "a real heartbreaker."

The 30-year-old guard led the Lakers off the bench with 18.6 points per game. Williams was a fourth-quarter spark and steadying presence in the locker room.

"That was my vet," Ingram said. "He told me a lot of things on and off the court."

The Lakers have yet to announce Kupchak's replacement, although Walton referenced speculation that agent Rob Pelinka would be hired as GM.

Walton said he wasn't involved in the team's discussions with Pelinka, who has been a frequent presence at Lakers games as Kobe Bryant's agent.

"I like Rob," Walton said. "If it was someone I didn't like, I'd probably be disappointed."

The 16-time NBA champion Lakers come out of the All-Star break with a record of 19-39, third-worst in the league. They are atOklahoma Cityon Friday and hostSan Antonioon Sunday.

Focused on what he calls "the big job" he has to do, Walton tried to sound an upbeat note amid the mixed emotions still swirling around the team.

"It's tricky, because I am sad that Mitch and Jimmy aren't here anymore, but at the same time, I'm excited to be working with Magic and Rob, when it finally happens," he said.

"I believe in the group that we have. We believe in our future."