The Los Angeles Lakers ushered a new regime with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, pledging to bring back the franchise to prominence. One of the ways they would be doing it would be through free agency, luring big name stars to play for the purple and gold.
They cleared cap space for two max spots and can extend it to make room for three. They drafted well and have a good young core to pair these All Stars with.
But if Magic can’t get it done in L.A., he says he will step down.
Interesting stuff from Magic…Giving himself a deadline of two Summers to turn the Lakers around…
“If I can’t get deliver, I’m going to step down myself, she (Jeanie) don’t have to fire me, I’ll step away from it.” pic.twitter.com/Q0FPzPJxIA
— Allen Sliwa (@LakersTalkESPN) June 26, 2018
Obviously, this year and the next are big in terms of luring big name talent, so if he can’t get do it, he is willing to step down and let someone who can handle it.
While we don’t agree that he should step down after the summer of 2019 if he can’t get anyone to come, there will be some who will say it. In some ways, it’s his own fault for getting Lakers fans excited about free agency and “big fish” instead of building a team that fits Luke Walton’s system that can play for years to come.
You can’t just pair a bunch of big names and have championship expectations (that’s word to the Oklahoma City Thunder last season).
Will LeBron James pick L.A.? Will Paul George leave OKC and come home? Will Jeanie Buss green-light a trade for Kawhi Leonard?
We are days away from answers.
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