Magic Johnson not all in with the Lakers?

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/248766/Magic-Johnson-Reportedly-Frustrated-With-Rob-Pelinka

I'm not sure if LeBatard has sources with the Lakers, but I know he has sources with other teams around the league. Interesting if this is true.

I’ve said in another thread that I don’t mind Pelinka, I think he can be a very good GM all around. But Magic was going to be a problem, he pulled a fast one on Jeanie.

The guy is as shady as they come.

Not letting Jerry West come back was in my option was a bad move he is the deal maker.

Magic is the one that scares me. I believe he's the star chaser, the LBJ chaser. Pelinka may not be all in on that, like maybe not accepting bad trades of Clarkson/Randle??? Maybe Magic is mad about that. Who knows.

As far as him not being there every day... I don't care about that at all. That's the GM's job.

Not saying it's not true, but I'll believe it when I hear reports from a reporter closer to Lakers organization.

Who knows, but certainly sounds plausible. Also on Jeanie's part not knowing what she's doing. Agreed they should have brought back West, and he was willing. Would have worked with his son, passed the torch. Best move for sure, that didn't happen. It's always name recognition in this town. And Magic's name around LA is...well...magic. He can do no wrong.

Same here

I'm not necessarily a huge supporter of Magic as the president of lakers BB operations. I am slightly circumspect about his bb decision making abilities, considering his much heralded accomplishments as the lakers head coach.

However with that being said, I will not write him off completely, until he he has had some significant time under his belt. Fugg all these east coast biased loudmouths!!! They never publish any good vibes surrounding the lakers. They do however, swoop like vultures when the chips are down. We don’t need any outside noise right now, the boys appear to be turning the corner.

Fully agree with Magiclakez, too many outside noise.

Yep me too.

I'm so confused with what our current front office has done so badly up to this point? One move that could be questionable is the Russell trade. And from what I heard is the first route on that deal was to get try and get a top 10 pick for Russell not package with him to move Mozgof. However they took what we needed and what we could actually get for him. Moving Russell can be questioned, but it's ignorance if someone simply says that was a horrible move made by our front office. Maybe there is a reason why the rest of the league wouldn't give us much more. I'm sure Rob and Magic offered him up to every team that had any interest. You just have to assume we got the best we could for him.

In regards to people bashing on them because of this big plan to get 2 MAX guys this summer, what's wrong with making that a goal? Up to this point, have they made a move that hurt us now only to make the chances of getting those 2 guy this summer? Not that I'm aware of. Sure we moved Russell, but I think that was more FO didn't like his fit as a player on the our team then anything. I like I said there was reports that we were originally trying to get a top 10 pick for him before we tagged Mozgof on his deal.

Have we missed out on any FA that wanted to come here, because were are trying to stay flexible this upcoming summer? Have we shipped out any other young talent, before we have been ensure that we even need the cap space this summer, not that I'm aware of.

In my eyes FO is doing great, we are in a great position to make a big move if everything falls in place this summer. But guess what, if it doesn't then we can continue on with the track we started this year. How is this not a win / win situation for us. So many rumors about us putting people on the blocks, in reality 90% of this league is put on the block if the right deal comes along. Putting players on the block and listening to deals is part of being a good GM.

As a counter to that, what have they done badly?

They created a poor atmosphere for the players. Not even entertaining a contract extension for Randle. Openly making it known players are not required, Clarkson, Nance etc. None of that is good for morale, or even good for a coach. Pretty hard to buy in to a teams philosophies if you know your not going to be part of the team much longer.

In the summer, if I was Randle, I'd be signing the first acceptable offer sheet that came my way. What is plan B for the Lakers if they strike out on the top stars?

So there isn't much to hate (although I didn't like the Russell trade personally), there isn't much to like either. If they don't hit any top free agents, the roster is no further forward than last summer, if your not improving you are standing still, especially in the NBA.

Players are foolish to think they are untrade-able if you are on a bad team. Man up and play your game and make them not want to trade you. Rumors are like wild fire, for all we know teams came to us asking for a player and since our FO listened, we are now automatically shopping this said player. Also we don't even know about Randle extension talks, we know a player's Agent wants to get the most money for their guys, so maybe that Agent said we want 20 million a year, then of course why would the Lakers listen to that if they feel nobody else will give it to Randle. That's the whole purpose of Restricted FA we have the luxury to wait this out, that's what Randle signed up for when he signed his rookie deal. Not sure I have heard Smart talk much about not getting extension talks, but it did not affect his game. That's something Randle needs to learn. I don't feel bad for any millionaire player and the situation of their job they signed up for. As for if they don't get any FA this summer then its another year under the belt for our young guys to get better. It's not like our FO has turned down some legit FA that wanted to come here, but we said no because we are only waiting for 2 max guys and that's all. For example: I don't remember Heyward saying I would like to play for Lakers, and we simply decied to say no because we are saving our cap for Lebron /PG13. Our FO have not passed up on signing any #1 or #2 type players, that wanted to come here. Our FO hasn't really had a chance to pull....

The roster has so many holes. Hoarding cap space doesn't fix those holes. Once the Lakers traded Russell and let Young go, it was clear that the roster needed 3 point shooting.

The cap space is only worthwhile having if they actually sign anybody, in the summer we will see if they do or not. Hoarding the cap space for another summer will be gross negligence. The roster needs pieces and needs to be built. Start building.

Top free agents are not going to be interested in joining a team that is not on the verge of contending. There will probably never be another Heatles ever again in the NBA so why are the FO hoping they can achieve something like that. It's not a solid plan, it's a plan built on hope.

Could you tell me which FA we missed out on this summer that paid us any attention in signing with us, if you think we are simply hoarding it and not paying any attention to any FA except Lebron / PG13/ Counsins.

Saw this from Ramona: Report: Lakers have had first-round picks offered for Clarkson, Randle It’s been no secret that the top priority for the Los Angeles Lakers since the Timofey Mozgov trade has been shedding more contracts to make room for two max contracts. The front office has made it abundantly clear the plans for the future. The natural players that have stuck out have been Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. The former is on a contract that runs through 2019-20 while the latter is due for a new contract this summer. While both have had their names tossed about in trade discussions, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne offered some....

You misunderstood what I was saying.

I'm saying if they miss out on free agents this summer, hoarding the cap space again for the year after is a big mistake.

I agree we should not hold onto 70million cap space for summer 2019. If we miss on 2 star, which is likely. I would like to see us maybe get one that will help recruit the following summer.

(I think like a month ago FO mentioned we may only get one guy this year and one next year)

And

If we miss and don't get any max FA this summer then we should fill all of our holes and keep flexibility to make room for 1 max player via trade or summer 2019.

I think Magic and Rob already know who’s coming through back channels.

Yeah, they're getting nobody. That's why Magic and Pelnka have been backtracking on the 2 major free agent talk lately. Talking about, "we might not use that cap space" or "we might use it to re-sign our own players." They're trying to get people ready for when they strike out in July. lmao.

One thing is for sure: we don't have to worry about PG and/or LeBron signing with the now star-less Clippers. If either or both want L.A. it's the Lakers or nothing.

Don't know about that! If they can bring back DJ, Lou or Bradley. And Tobias Harris is very good player, was hoping Lakers would sign him a few years back.

Why is Russell picture still on the banner page

And I’m cool with that as well. I just think they have an idea on who’s coming and not coming already .

I was about ask Dave the same thing....lol.