On Tuesday night, Magic Johnson abruptly resigned from his position as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, expressing his wish to go back to the more straightforward life he had before taking over this organization just over two years ago as a wealthy businessman and adored former star.
About ninety minutes prior to the last game of the Lakers’ sixth consecutive losing season, Johnson made his announcement in front of reporters without informing general manager Rob Pelinka or owner Jeanie Buss of his choice. Despite adding LeBron James in the offseason, Los Angeles was 37–44 going into their match versus Portland and would miss the playoffs once more.
Johnson fought back tears and said, “I want to go back to having fun.” “I wish to return to my previous identity before to accepting this position. With LeBron arriving (last summer), we’re halfway there. With the development of the young players, I believe this club will be in a strong position to challenge for a championship this summer when that other star, whoever brings him in, arrives.”
Luke Walton’s future was not explicitly mentioned in Johnson’s statement, but it was generally anticipated that the third-year coach would be let go. Johnson frequently discussed, without naming names, Buss’s fondness for Walton—who was employed prior to Johnson’s hiring in February 2017—and Johnson’s
“(On Wednesday) I would have to affect somebody’s livelihood and their life,” Johnson stated. After giving it some thinking, I said, ‘That’s not fun for me.'” I’m not that person. She responded, “Hey, you can do what you want to do,” but I don’t want to put her in the between of us. She must love me and him very much, I know that.
On Monday, Johnson and Buss held a three-hour discussion to discuss the Lakers’ future. The team hasn’t qualified for the postseason since 2013. Johnson didn’t know that Buss wasn’t anticipated to attend the Lakers’ season finale when he made his announcement, which he didn’t make official until Tuesday morning.
“Somebody is going to have to tell my boss, because I know she’s going to be sick,” remarked Johnson. “But I knew I couldn’t face her face-to-face and tell her.”
Johnson left for a variety of reasons, not just the desire to return to his former life. He added that he was sick of the NBA looking into him or fining him for interfering when he made comments about basketball on Twitter or even when he spoke with a player from a different league.”
Before entering the front office, Johnson was a well-liked basketball figure and longtime broadcaster. He has been the subject of four separate investigations for tampering, stemming from his response to an email sent to him by Ben Simmons of Philadelphia to a lighthearted remark about Paul George on Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show.
“I thought about Dwyane Wade retiring (Wednesday), and I can’t even tweet that out or be there,” said Johnson. “A week ago, I received a call from Serena Williams asking if I would like you to mentor her and join her advisory board. “Yes, I’m going to do that,” I replied. I didn’t do anything, but when Ben Simmons called, we went through the appropriate procedures and they painted me as the villain.
