In a stunning move before the Lakers' season finale against Portland, Magic Johnson announced he was stepping down from his role as the team's president of basketball of operations. The decision comes just over two years after taking on the position in an effort to restore one of the league's most storied franchises to championship contention.
Johnson made the announcement immediately after coach Luke Walton's pregame comments, adding that he had not yet informed team owner Jeanie Buss of his intentions to step down.
"I like to be free," a liberated Johnson told the media. "I've got a great life... what am I doing? I've got a beautiful life. I'm gonna go back to that beautiful life. I'm looking forward to it. Somebody is going to have to tell my boss, 'cause I know she's going to be sick, but I know I couldn't face her face-to-face and tell her."
Johnson repeatedly cited the need for freedom of interaction and expression with other players as a key reason behind his decision. The Lakers were fined more than once for tampering that stemmed from Johnson referencing pending free agents or discussing off-court interactions with players of opposing teams under contract.
"I want to be free and not have handcuffs on me," Johnson admitted.
Without saying his name, Johnson alluded to Walton's position as head coach as a potentially divisive factor in his relationship with Buss, whom has openly and repeatedly supported.
"I had more fun on the other side than on this side," Johnson said. "Tomorrow I would have to affect somebody's livliehood and their life... I don't want to put her in the middle of us, even though she said, 'Hey, you do what you wanna do.' I know she has great love for him and great love for me."
"It's the right move to make," Johnson emotionally added, "then, that way, he can stay in place, hopefully coach the team the right way."
The legend-turned-executive was a key figure in the Lakers' recruitment of LeBron James last summer as well as an initial supporter of former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball. Yet Johnson and the Lakers' front office faced scrutiny for their other moves, including the role players they signed around James, their inability to acquire Anthony Davis at the trade deadline, and the emergence of former Laker D'Angelo Russell after being dealt to Brooklyn in 2017.
As for his own team, Johnson remained adamant that the Lakers are already "headed in the right direction."
"Next year we're going to be good. If we get one of these [free agents], we're going to be really good.
"I'm good with where I am," a relieved Johnson acknowledged. "I'm happy. I want to do the things I used to do. I had to weigh both situations and this is better for me."
Johnson made the announcement immediately after coach Luke Walton's pregame comments, adding that he had not yet informed team owner Jeanie Buss of his intentions to step down.
"I like to be free," a liberated Johnson told the media. "I've got a great life... what am I doing? I've got a beautiful life. I'm gonna go back to that beautiful life. I'm looking forward to it. Somebody is going to have to tell my boss, 'cause I know she's going to be sick, but I know I couldn't face her face-to-face and tell her."
Johnson repeatedly cited the need for freedom of interaction and expression with other players as a key reason behind his decision. The Lakers were fined more than once for tampering that stemmed from Johnson referencing pending free agents or discussing off-court interactions with players of opposing teams under contract.
"I want to be free and not have handcuffs on me," Johnson admitted.
Without saying his name, Johnson alluded to Walton's position as head coach as a potentially divisive factor in his relationship with Buss, whom has openly and repeatedly supported.
"I had more fun on the other side than on this side," Johnson said. "Tomorrow I would have to affect somebody's livliehood and their life... I don't want to put her in the middle of us, even though she said, 'Hey, you do what you wanna do.' I know she has great love for him and great love for me."
"It's the right move to make," Johnson emotionally added, "then, that way, he can stay in place, hopefully coach the team the right way."
The legend-turned-executive was a key figure in the Lakers' recruitment of LeBron James last summer as well as an initial supporter of former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball. Yet Johnson and the Lakers' front office faced scrutiny for their other moves, including the role players they signed around James, their inability to acquire Anthony Davis at the trade deadline, and the emergence of former Laker D'Angelo Russell after being dealt to Brooklyn in 2017.
As for his own team, Johnson remained adamant that the Lakers are already "headed in the right direction."
"Next year we're going to be good. If we get one of these [free agents], we're going to be really good.
"I'm good with where I am," a relieved Johnson acknowledged. "I'm happy. I want to do the things I used to do. I had to weigh both situations and this is better for me."
NBA