Shams: Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers President of Basketball Operations

[MagicBagley18]

Magic is somehow by some people being applauded as doing the right thing here....can you imagine if any other gm went to the press did a press conference and quit his job before informing the owner of the team how much they would be skewered?

[Snotbubbles]

That's cool how Ben Simmons is the reason why Magic Johnson quit

Yeah, and now Magic can recruit guys to the Lakers without the tampering charges being thrown in his face. He no longer needs permission from other teams to talk to guys, work with guys or even text guys.

[JoeBarryCaroll]

The more I think about it the more I want to see the original Warriors (ex KD) vs the Lakers with the old Cleveland core + a couple of key current Lakers (LBJ, Kyrie, Love, Ingram, Kuzma maybe even add in a Tristan Thompson). That match-up in the Western Conf Finals... nice!

[marcush]

Is there a smarter Buss kid than Jeannie or Jim? The Doc didn’t seem to pass down any of that talent.

[John Murdoch]

I think Magic was getting stonewalled by Jeannie Buss in terms of making major moves, he was constantly getting fines & notices from the league for “tampering”, people were blaming him for the AD disaster that alienated the entire roster and I think he finally had enough.

The block on firing Walton was the last straw. There was gonna be a dumpster fire this summer & Magic jumped off a sinking ship.

I do think the “backstabbing” comment was made towards Pelinka though. As much as Lebron creates these chaotic situations, I think Magic is too much of a player’s guy to throw Lebron under the bus.

Ultimately, Magic is a businessman & entrepreneur at his core. If he’s given a title but doesn’t have total power in his position, then he has no point in doing it at all. The guy is rich! He doesn’t need the money. And surely he’d prefer to not have to answer to anyone on big decisions. His reputation was at stake in the end.

It was about Gail Benson leaking info

[Jazztop]

I think Magic was getting stonewalled by Jeannie Buss in terms of making major moves, he was constantly getting fines & notices from the league for “tampering”, people were blaming him for the AD disaster that alienated the entire roster and I think he finally had enough.

The block on firing Walton was the last straw. There was gonna be a dumpster fire this summer & Magic jumped off a sinking ship.

I do think the “backstabbing” comment was made towards Pelinka though. As much as Lebron creates these chaotic situations, I think Magic is too much of a player’s guy to throw Lebron under the bus.

Ultimately, Magic is a businessman & entrepreneur at his core. If he’s given a title but doesn’t have total power in his position, then he has no point in doing it at all. The guy is rich! He doesn’t need the money. And surely he’d prefer to not have to answer to anyone on big decisions. His reputation was at stake in the end.

He thanked a lot of people and talked about having great moments working side by side with a lot of people but didn’t mention Pelinka.

It’s not hard to conclude that Magic thinks that Pelinka is the ‘backstabber’

[John Murdoch]

Damn. Dude has survived HIV for damn near 30 years but couldn't survive 1 year of LeBron.

[WestbrookLove]

I'm finding it comedic and almost unbelievable that so many fans and media types are "shocked" that Magic stepped down.

For someone who has been in the public eye for so long, and whose personality has been so plain and apparent for any thirtysomething-plus fan to have witnessed through the years, it's clear that Magic has NEVER had an executive CEO type of personality or makeup -- which is why he didn't do well (and didn't last) as a coach, either. I'm not surprised in the least that he abruptly stepped down as the Lakers' president. He's not a strategic or analytic sort of guy -- he's much more down to Earth, people-focused, spur of the moment. Those aren't the sorts of guys who like to sit around and dictate or negotiate impersonal matters.

[MrDollarBills]

[Paradise]

I think Magic Johnson has all-star GM potential but what Jeanine needed was a leader.

[MrDollarBills]

I think Magic Johnson has all-star GM potential but what Jeanine needed was a leader.

[TheFinishSniper]

I can say I am glad that at least we are not Lakers. We are maybe not talked much in CHI Kuzma, but at least we not a ***show.

[TheGOATWill]

I can say I am glad that at least we are not Lakers. We are maybe not talked much in CHI Kuzma, but at least we not a ***show.

Mmm...debatable.

[ropjhk]

I think Magic should have told Jeanie before informing the press about his resignation, but if it's true that he was blocked from firing Walton and Pelinka then I don't blame him for leaving. Owner interference is never a good thing.

[MrPerfect1]

My 1st thought was that Magiv stepped down because he knows No Big Names are coming in the Offseason so better to step down now than to get crushed after striking out in a few months

[AgentDRL]

GOT ends with Lebron on the iron throne.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors!"

[JimmyTheGreek]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[TroubleS0me]

And for my final magic trick. Poooooof

[TroubleS0me]

Damn. Dude has survived HIV for damn near 30 years but couldn't survive 1 year of LeBron.

yea u went too far

[CycklopsGT]

Even if he thought nobody was coming, the decent thing to do would have been to actually wait for free agency to begin and resign afterwards like he was supposed to.
His timing is awful and makes the Lakers look even more dysfunctional to potential FA.

They're the Lakerbockers.