The Los Angeles Lakers' tumultuous 2018-19 season took another drastic turn on Tuesday evening when Magic Johnson held an impromptu press conference to announce that he was stepping down as president of basketball operations.
Johnson's decision came totally unbeknownst to team owner Jeanie Buss and LeBron James, both of whom were reportedly shocked by the announcement. Johnson said during the press conference that he did not feel like he could be himself in his current role, and that stepping down would be most beneficial for both he and the team.
Appearing on 98.5 The Sport Hub's Toucher and Rich on Wednesday, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said he found it strange that Johnson did not tell Buss of his decision prior to the press conference:
“I know that this work is a grind and if you don’t really enjoy the people you’re working with and the work you’re doing then you shouldn’t be doing it,” he said, per Celtics Hub's Greg Dudek. “I respect Magic’s decision. I don’t really understand the dynamic of how he did it by not telling Jeanie, that seems a little bit interesting. I like Magic. He’s a good guy. But it sounds like to me he just wants to go back and have the life he had before he had this job.
“We have it fantastic in Boston,” Aingle continued. “I’ve been spoiled with great ownership and great coaches to work with and when we can be on the same page it makes the challenging times tolerable and it makes it worth it.”
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will retain his role in Johnson's absence, but the fate of head coach Luke Walton and the rest of his staff is still unknown.
Follow Us
Subscribe