Before Magic Johnson stole end-of-season headlines with his decision to quit his post as the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations on the spot, the former executive was given permission to fire head coach Luke Walton at the conclusion of this season, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Johnson was green-lit for this after being informed of Walton’s unwillingness to “bulk up” his coaching staff, according to Haynes. The longtime Lakers icon had wanted to replace Walton during the regular season, but Buss was reluctant to green light the operation until recently.
Magic was reportedly displeased with Walton's inability to make in-game adjustments effectively, feeling his coaching staff lacked the experience and expertise to help him and foster player development.
Players like D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle have enjoyed career years with the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively, something that led Johnson to question Walton's coaching staff for leaving that potential untapped. Yet it was Johnson who chose to trade Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in favor of then-soon-to-be rookie Lonzo Ball and to unload Timofey Mozgov's albatross contract.
The Lakers were expected to make the playoffs during LeBron James' first season, but instead fell short of that goal for the sixth consecutive season, reason for massive disappointment among Lakers faithful.
Ultimately, Johnson announced his resignation publicly and shockingly, holding a press conference in the halls of Staples Center only an hour and a half before the Lakers tipped off their season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
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