Magic Johnson was hired as an adviser for the Los Angeles Lakers front office last week. Already, he’s talking about how he wants to call the shots for Los Angeles — and he’s not exactly being subtle. USA TODAY asked Johnson what he hoped his role would be, and this was his response:
Magic Johnson is already saying he wants to be the Lakers’ top decision-maker
Johnson was brought in last week. That was quick!
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
“Working to call the shots, because it only works that way,’’ Johnson told USA TODAY. “Right now I’m advising. I get that. But at the end of the day, then we all got to come together and somebody’s got to say, ‘I’m making the final call,’ all right? And who’s that going to be? So, we’ll see what happens.’’
It was thought that Johnson’s addition to the front office might signal changes. After all, president of basketball operations Jim Buss said, back in 2014, he would step down from his job if he didn’t have Los Angeles contending in the playoffs within three or four years. Clearly, with the Lakers vying for a high lottery pick, Buss is nowhere close to accomplishing that goal.
Johnson says he “knows talent,” so he’s been studying the CBA and other parts of the job outside of talent evaluation. He also was recently spotted with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak at a college basketball game.
“I’m going to school, for sure,’’ he said to USA TODAY. “Because I know talent. This part (evaluating players) comes easy, watching people play and seeing how they play, whose game hopefully can translate to the next level, those type of things. You’ll find out more as you get to interview them later on, the draft and workouts we have predraft. Then you’ll find out a lot more.”
Johnson is expected to be a part of the decision-making process for the Lakers during the trade deadline, as well. That’s not exactly calling the shots, but if Buss does step down after this season, who knows?
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