Despite Magic Johnson's shocking decision to step down from his post of president of basketball operations, the Los Angeles Lakers plan to keep his former front office partner Rob Pelinka, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

According to the report, Pelinka could potentially see his role grow, now that Johnson has left that seat vacant.

Johnson shocked Lakers fans and media at the national stage after announcing his resignation during an impromptu press conference in the halls of the Staples Center, taking place an hour-and-a-half prior to the Lakers' season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers and last until a half-hour before tip-off.

His resignation was a complete surprise — even to his closest friends, according to Shelburne, who noted no one expected him to leave his post as the Lakers president.

League sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Johnson and Pelinka visited with James and his agent, Rich Paul, on Saturday — but Johnson had offered no sense that he would leave his position.

Johnson also said in his presser that he had yet to tell controlling-owner Jeanie Buss or Pelinka of his resignation out of fear he would be talked into staying in his role.

When asked of what's to come for the Lakers' front office ranks, Johnson declined to comment, urging the media to ask Buss once she finds out of his resignation.

This comes at the heels of a report suggesting Buss had given Johnson the green light to fire head coach Luke Walton under the circumstance that he refused to bolster his coaching staff with experienced former head coaches — a decision Johnson made clear he didn't want to make.