Earvin “Magic” Johnson stunned the NBA world after announcing that he was stepping down as team president for the embattled franchise. And while the NBA great did not get into detail, various speculations on why he resigned have now come out in the open.
The most obvious thing here is the fate of Lakers coach Luke Walton. Johnson hinted that with him out of the way, Walton is likely to stay on as the team’s head coach. So does this mean that Magic truly had intentions of changing the 38-year-old coach?
Traditionally, new team executives would prefer to name their own head coach over the existing ones. Despite the fact that both are former Lakers, the vision of Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka may not be entirely aligned with what Walton and his group have.
It should also be worth noting that Johnson and Walton had not talked to each other for weeks, ESPN said. Team sources claim that it has been weeks since Johnson, Pelinka and Walton have had a meaningful conversation. But the thing here is that Johnson and team owner Jeanie Buss have been talking, somehow sending feelers that the 57-year-old may be keeping the current Lakers coach despite a tumultuous season.
Buss actually left the decision on Walton’s fate at the hands of Johnson and most felt that it was an inevitable axing. Aware however that the decision may include dire repercussions, the NBA great may have opted to choose the safer way out than risk placing himself in shallow water, Manila Bulletin Sports said.
With Johnson out, the next question is on whether Pelinka will follow suit. So far, nothing has been mentioned. The case could be different once the Lakers name their new president for basketball operations. Similar to the case of Walton, Pelinka could be eased out of the picture if the new president prefers to name his own general manager.
Johnson feels that the Lakers are halfway through with LeBron James on board. All eyes will be on personnel movement with Los Angeles expected to add another superstar to the fold.
Several names have been suggested. One is Jimmy Butler who is currently with the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite a botched attempt at Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Hornets, the Lakers could make another go at the All-Star forward.
The next Los Angeles Lakers team president will have his work cut out for him with the purple and gold struggling to make ends meet. Thus, it should be an interesting offseason for the Lakers who will try to bounce back in the 2019-20 NBA season.
