Magic Johnson's decision to step down as the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations has The Association still reeling from how it came out of left field. Without informing the team owner Jeanie Buss or even giving the media a preview, Johnson crashed a pregame media session by head coach Luke Walton to drop the bombshell.

Of note during the 40-minute presser was Johnson's thoughts on general manager Rob Pelinka, and the Lakers legend gave a non-answer of sorts.

Johnson did offer somewhat of a caveat with that statement saying he “eventually” learned how to work with Pelinka as they got more familiar with each other, but it actually raises more red flags than squash any speculation.

Pelinka, a long-time NBA agent, was hired as general manager by Johnson shortly after he was tabbed as the president of basketball operations two years ago, dodging several proven candidates hoping to get the chance to steer the storied NBA franchise into respectability. The pair teamed up to supplement and rehaul the roster with LeBron James headlining the Lakers' list of acquisitions during that period, although most of the credit to that one likely goes to Johnson.

It's also unclear who truly had a hand on most of the Lakers moves (or if it was a co-decision) particularly the head-scratching trade of Ivica Zubac to the Los Angeles Clippers which continue to confuse many people, so perhaps Johnson is alluding to Pelinka as the primary author of that move and likely some questionable decisions as well.

We'll soon find out more.