Magic Johnson's short tenure as the Los Angeles Lakers' President of Basketball Operations was a bit of a roller coaster and ended fairly unceremoniously. Johnson, who was hired in February of 2017, made several trades during his time in the front office.
While Johnson's tenure didn't lead to much success for the Lakers, the transactions he made have helped the team reach the level they're at now as title contenders.
Lou Williams and Tyler Ennis
February 23, 2017
Just two days after Johnson was hired by the Lakers, the former point guard made two deals at the 2017 trade deadline. Johnson traded Brazilian point guard Marcelo Huertas to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Tyler Ennis and the draft rights to Brad Newley.
Both Ennis and Huertas were inconsequential pieces for Los Angeles while Newley would never end up playing in an NBA game.
In a more impactful move, the Lakers traded sixth-man extraordinaire Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for veteran wing Corey Brewer and a 2017 first-round pick.
Brewer wouldn't do much but the first-round pick they got in the trade would later allow them to acquire Josh Hart, who was later thrown into the Anthony Davis trade.
D'Angelo Russell
June 22, 2017
On draft day, the Lakers traded the rights to No. 28 pick Tony Bradley to the Utah Jazz for 30th overall pick Josh Hart and 42nd overall selection Thomas Bryant.
In perhaps Johnson's most infamous move as part of the Lakers front office, the Lakers traded center Timofey Mozgov and former No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez, who would only play one season in Los Angeles, as well as 27th overall pick Kyle Kuzma.
While Russell would develop into an All-Star in Brooklyn, the Lakers were able to trade away Mozgov's bad contract while acquiring a solid building block in Kuzma.
Isaiah Thomas
February 8, 2018
The Lakers once again made a move near the trade deadline by acquiring veteran Channing Frye and point guard Isaiah Thomas. from the Cleveland Cavaliers and gave up two major role players in Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., as well as a 2018 first-round pick.
Thomas was a failed experiment for the Lakers and only lasted 17 games as he struggled with injuries. Frye also played a minimal role in his short time with the Lakers before retiring a season later.
Reggie Bullock
February 6, 2019
Just before the 2019 trade deadline, the Lakers made a minor move trading away fan-favorite Svi Mykhailiuk and a 2021 second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward Reggie Bullock.
Bullock would only play 19 games for Los Angeles before signing with the New York Knicks this past offseason.
Mike Muscala
February 7, 2019
For the third year in a row, Johnson went into the trade deadline looking to improve the Lakers' roster. In 2019, Johnson traded for Los Angeles Clippers big man Mike Muscala sending Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley.
Like many others on this list, Muscala would finish the season with the Lakers before moving on to a new team. Zubac would turn into a solid role player for the Clippers while Beasley has shown flashes with other teams but is now a non-factor.
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