Reports: Lakers dump 20 employees, including asst GM Lester

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Sports) – With the next NBA season remains uncertain, the Los Angeles Lakers made a drastic cost-cutting measure by dumping the expiring contract of assistant GM Ronnie Lester and 19 other staffers, a source close to situation reported Saturday.

The Orange County Register reported Saturday the Lakers have decided not to renew the expiring contracts of 20 employees, including some of its long-time staffers.

According to the publication, the Lakers are expected to cut ties with performance coordinator Alex McKechnie, video coordinator Patrick O’Keefe, Director of athletic performance and player development Chip Schaefer, Equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas, video coordinator Chris Bodaken, and Lester.

Lester, the man behind the selection of Lakers center Andrew Bynum in the 2005 NBA Draft, had been a part of the franchise for 24 years but the lagging economy forced him out of the purple-and-gold.

Meanwhile, McKechnie found it easy to move on after landing a job with the Toronto Raptors.

One of the most respectable trainers in the NBA, McKechnie has been credited for his core strengthening work with Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal.

The moves could signal the onset of a new era under the tutelage of Lakers owner Jim Buss.

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