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Kawhi Leonard and Magic Johnson, former president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, talked everything about Purple and Gold on Sunday. In the same conversation — which was reportedly a positive phone call — Leonard also asked Magic if he can bring his own people like LeBron James did when he signed with the team.
In an appearance on Spectrum Sportsnet, Broderick Turner of The L.A. Times laid out some of the details of the conversation between Johnson and Leonard. As transcribed by Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll, the two-time Finals MVP inquired if he can bring his own medical staff and trainers.
Article Continues Below“LeBron James was able to bring on his own trainer, his own medical people. (Kawhi) wants to know if he can do that as well. LeBron James brought on some people that weren’t with the Lakers, and he wants to know ‘can I bring with a couple of my guys?’ … And as far as I know, the Lakers would be willing to do that, because you do those things for superstar players.”
When James signed with the Lakers last summer, he brought along with him his longtime trainer Mike Mancias. As well as attending to James, Mancias became the team's athletic trainer and athletic performance liaison. Randy Mims, too, latched onto James from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is now the Purple and Gold's Executive Administrator of Player Programs and Logistics.
It's not really known who Leonard intends to bring along with him. But his concern gives us an interesting picture of his priorities. To recall, the California-native had some reported disputes with the San Antonio Spurs medical staff which led to his trade request. Perhaps it's safe to say that Leonard doesn't want such controversies to happen again.
