[jonus grumbyParticipant]

 Magic Johnson said he will step down if this year or next he is not able to attract a top free agent to the Lakers.  Of course he gave himself an out by just saying top free agent players.  He could always say a player is a top free agent and thus not resign even if most interput his statement as meaning the top free agents not a top (as in top 10).  Regardless I think it is a solid move on his part and wish my teams (Bulls) management would put themselves out there like this.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-magic-johnson-free-agents-20180626-story.html

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

The thing is though, magic could do everything right as far as putting the lakers in position to land the marquee free agents, but there is still no guarantee that they will come. There are just too many other factors in play. And just because he doesn’t get a lebron or pg or kawhi to sign on that doesn’t necessarily mean he is doing a bad job. And if none of those guys wind up coming, will he get desperate and reach on a lesser free agent with a big name (like a Demarcus cousins) which might not be the wisest move just to say he landed a big name free agent. 

For the record, I’m a huge fan of the direction the team has taken under magic (with pelinkas guidance) after so many years stuck in the dark ages. If they strike out in free agency so be it, but at least they still have a nice young nucleus in place and plenty of cap space. The last thing I want to see them do is jeapordize that by making win-now moves that they will regret in the long run. I’m not necessarily saying they will, but I feel like making bold statements like this could ultimately be just setting magic up for failure. Just continue to do what you’ve been doing to improve the team and be patient. There is no need for artificial timelines.

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

LeBron and PG13 might not sign. Leonard might be traded to the East Coast. Therefore, Cousins might be a really smart signing. He’ll likely still be a top center, the Lakers are awful at center, and he might not get the max. If they sign him for 2 years and don’t expect him to play the 1st, that 2nd year could be a discount and let them sign others. It also gives the young core time to develop. Then, the following year, they can chase Leonard, etc. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

“This summer and next summer,” Johnson said. “That’s it. If I can’t deliver I’m going to step down myself, [controlling owner Jeanie Buss] won’t have to fire me. I’ll step away from it, because I can’t do this job.”

Well yeah they brought you in to attract free agents not for your basketball wisdom and insight.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Hmm this is kinda surprising because I think the Lakers are headed the right direction even if they can’t attract top free agents. The culture in that locker room and in the team is apparent. I don’t know how to describe it but they carry themselves (front office and players) differently from when before he was there. 

They’ve also done a great job of drafting and developing players. Kuzma and Hart were steals and you can see they love playing in Walton’s system. Randle has reworked his body at the order of Magic and co. and he has progressed a lot as a player especially defensively. Ingram too has elevated his game. 

You may not be attracting the free agents Magic, but you have built a team that garners respect, unlike the past team with DLo and Clarkson as starters. The players seem very disciplined under the management and even though I’m not a Laker fan at all, I can see that he had made great strides with this team.

 

 

 

[whiteflashParticipant]

 This is just Public posturing. Magic’s said a lot of silly sh!+ over the years. No way he actually steps down.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Unless it was already a part of the Lakers plan for Magic to eventually step down. I mean I feel like he is only there because they currently have noone to really market. It helps fill the headlines Magic is a bigtime name.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 If I were them my top options would actually be AD or Giannis.  Then at least one of Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.  

If I were the Lakers I would rather have a combination of Durant and somebody else (possibly even two of the Rockets top guys CP3 and Capela) rather than LeBron/Paul George.  

CP3 and Capela would be AWESOME for the Lakers.  Lonzo can train under Chris Paul and they can have some combo backcourts.  Capela would get TONS of lobs (with Moritz Wagner being their backup center), then they still have some other perimeter options like Kuzma, Ingram, and Josh Hart.  

 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 He gets paid a lot of money to basically be "the face." It’s a noble gesture for sure, but not a crazy generous one. 

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