Former Lakers Exec To Replace Wizards Bound Johnny Rogers?

The Washington Wizards’ revamping of their front office continued on Tuesday with the team adding Johnny Rogers as their new vice-president of pro personnel. He joins the franchise after serving as the Los Angeles Clippers’ director of player personnel for three years and also previously worked for Oklahoma City Thunder as a scout.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news of Rogers’ move to the newly created role within the Washington franchise. The 55-year-old is highly regarded within the NBA for having built a strong scouting reputation not only in the United States but also around Europe.

“Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard is hiring Clippers executive Johnny Rogers to a newly created role of VP of Pro Personnel, league sources tell Zach Lowe and me. Rogers has built a strong scouting reputation both here and abroad with the Clippers and Thunder,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Rogers has a long track record in basketball having been a distinguished player at college level while also playing two years in the NBA. He played for a decade overseas including representing Spain at the Olympics in 2000.

According to NBC Sports Washington, the Wizards want to move away from their previous smaller front office team with managing partner Ted Leonsis looking to expand the staff to be on par with other organizations like the Clippers, Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers.

Meanwhile, the Clippers will need to replace Rogers and it is unclear if they will promote from within or look elsewhere for a director of player personnel. According to ClipsNation, the Clippers could be looking at former Lakers head of player personnel Ryan West, who only recently left their city rivals after his contract expired.