Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and head coach Luke Walton reportedly haven't spoken in weeks, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Johnson and Walton are believed to have a tenuous relationship behind the scenes.
Walton and Johnson had a heated meeting earlier in the season where Johnson ripped Walton for the Lakers' poor start.
Los Angeles is missing the playoffs this season, the first year of the LeBron James era. The season went down the drain for the team after LeBron got hurt on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors. James missed 17 consecutive games. LA went just 6-11 during that stretch and fell out of the playoff picture.
Walton is widely expected to be fired after the season ends. Both Johnson and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka were hired after Walton was hired. Walton joined LA in 2016.
LeBron recently said Walton handled the season to the best of his ability. James, Rajon Rondo and Lonzo Ball all missed a bevy of games this season. A case can be made Johnson and Pelinka deserve more blame for the Lakers' poor season. They signed Rondo, Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson after LeBron joined the team.
Those are three players who don't fit well next to James.
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