It’s been a shit show for the Los Angeles Lakers this past season and in an unforeseen turn of events, Magic Johnson has announced he is stepping down from his role of President of Basketball Operations.
In a press conference just minutes ago (and without the knowledge of Jeanie Buss), Magic announced he is resigning from his position, which comes a shock to many in the organization.
Magic Johnson is conducting an impromptu press conference and just stepped down as Lakers president. He said he loves Jeanie Buss like a sister.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 10, 2019
Since taking over as president of the Lakers, Magic Johnson never fully committed to the job. Often he was traveling and away from the team. His office hours were limited. He didn't do a lot of scouting. Running an NBA team takes a tremendous commitment of time and energy.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2019
Magic Johnson says that his position doesn’t allow him to be a statesman of the game of basketball. He says he wants to go back to his wonderful life away from this position. “I was happier when I wasn’t the president (of the Lakers)”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 10, 2019
Lakers coaching staff fully expected to be fired in hours after the final game of the season. They had believed they were gone for months. Now? Magic quits in public, saying he's too scared to tell Jeanie Buss face-to-face. What an embarrassing episode for a historic franchise.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 10, 2019
Magic: “Do I think Rob is the right GM? That’s a decision Jeanie has to make.”
— Bill Oram (@billoram) April 10, 2019
Considering Luke Walton’s job was in jeopardy, the organization may not even sign a top tier All-Star this upcoming summer and LeBron James is aging and only on the decline, the direction of the Lakers seems to be on a downward spiral more than an upward swing.
The team has won several games in the last stretch of the season, with a team comprised of G-League players, but the outlook going into next season looks even bleaker now. Especially since they missed the playoffs for a sixth straight year.
Magic said "I'm out" 💀 pic.twitter.com/COV61wpci6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 10, 2019
Magic Johnson shocks – well, everyone – and announces he’s stepping down as president of the Lakers. Says he’s not yet spoken to Jeanie Buss to tell her. Says he’s sick of tampering rules, he’s tired of the “backstabbing” & says he didn’t want to disappoint Jeanie by firing Luke. pic.twitter.com/m50VKQmmDR
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 10, 2019
There are way more questions about L.A. then there already was to begin with and the news only makes matters worse. Get your popcorn ladies and gentlemen.
UPDATE: According to the L.A. Times, there is an ESPN expose on Magic Johnson which is being written currently about how he conducted himself in the workplace. He also sent his thanks to the organization on Twitter, as well as the Buss family and everyone involved in the franchise.
As word spread through the Lakers’ organization and the NBA, several people wondered whether Johnson’s departure was related to a yet-to-be-published article by ESPN that is said to address allegations about Johnson’s conduct with employees. “That story is wrong,” Johnson told the Los Angeles Times.
He later added to a group of reporters: “Never disrespected anybody. Never did anything bad. Am I tough? Hell, yeah! You work for me, I’m demanding. But at the same time I’m fair. They’ve been talking about that article for how many months? Everybody running, ‘Oh they’re writing an article.’ I’m gonna say, why didn’t they interview anybody at ESPN? If I was doing something wrong to employees disrespecting, this or that, think they would’ve hired me twice?”
Thank you to Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, General Manager Rob Pelinka, Coach Luke Walton, the Lakers players & the entire basketball operations staff for the tremendous opportunity to serve as the President of Basketball Operations for the @Lakers. I will always be a Laker for life.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 10, 2019
A big thank you to Jesse Buss, Joey Buss, Ryan West, Sam Usher, Marshall Rader, and Elaine Shen.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 10, 2019
Stephen A. Smith also appeared on First Take on his vacation to say that Magic Johnson wanted to fire Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss was not on board. He also said that Luke Walton and the entire staff were going to be fire today at 10am. Obviously those plans have been delayed and the entire organization is in a frenzy. Who knows what happens at this point.
OS REWIND: Magic Johnson Speaks on Trade Rumors, Business of the NBA