Multiple Los Angeles Lakers employees have expressed optimism about the franchise's direction under incoming owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, sources tell Dan Woike of The Athletic. Some within the organization viewed the outgoing Mark Walter regime's analytics-driven approach, influenced by parent ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers, as having created friction within basketball operations and the locker room.

That sentiment has left some employees unbothered by the prospect of new leadership, even without a clear picture of what direction Iger and Kushner's group will take.

Hiring within the organization remains largely on hold amid the ownership transition. The Lakers continue conducting interviews for select positions, including a video producer role posted to the sports-industry job site Teamwork Online two weeks ago. Higher-level positions, particularly within basketball operations, are not being actively filled.

The Lakers pushed back on characterizing the situation as a formal hiring freeze despite the ongoing transition of ownership.

That caution likely extends to an assistant general manager position that general manager Rob Pelinka had indicated the team planned to fill this offseason to oversee personnel and scouting.

The Lakers previously hired Rohan Ramades as assistant general manager of strategy and data systems at the end of last season, a move that has drawn positive early reviews. The organization had also offered a separate assistant general manager role to Steve Senior of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Prosper Karangwa of the Philadelphia 76ers, though both executives opted to remain with their current teams.

Discussions about a broader front-office buildout remain ongoing though it remains unclear when or how the Lakers will address the need for additional professional scouting leadership.