Lakers equipment manager Carlos Maples — who worked for the organization for more than 30 years, starting as a 13-year-old ball boy during the Showtime Era — resigned from his position on Thursday, according to a team spokesperson.



Minor personnel moves are made all the time in the NBA, but Maples’ history with the Lakers and the timing of the move — 31 games into the first season of the LeBron James era — made the development surprising.



Word of Maples’ departure filtered throughout the organization on Thursday night while a company holiday party was held on the court of the team’s practice facility, sources told The Athletic.



Maples did not immediately respond to requests for comment.



Maples had worked under every Lakers head coach since Pat Riley and was a resource for stars from Earvin “Magic” Johnson to James. He accompanied the Lakers on their four-game road trip that concluded Tuesday...