The president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson has stepped down from his position willingly.
The announcement was made by Johnson on Tuesday before the game between LA Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers started at the Staples Center.
Johnson said to media that he is making this decision due to his close relationship with the Jeanie Buss, the Lakers owner.
Johnson in an emotional statement said, “I want nothing more than to preserve our relationship. Also, in my opinion, I had much bigger fun being the big brother and the ambassador of the Lakers than being a president.”
This was such a shocking and sudden move that Johnson is yet to tell Buss about.
Johnson also said to media, “somebody, in my stead, has to tell my boss about my decision because I do not have the courage to go face-to-face with her and tell her.”
This sudden, as well as the shocking announcement from the legendary player of Lakers, came after the long and disappointing regular season. They signed a deal with LeBron James in offseason but the injury riddle roster, as well as one injury to James, ended the regular season in a frustrating manner.
They were in the 4th place of the Western Conference rankings with 20-14 on the season at their Christmas Day game as they defeated Golden State Warriors. Sadly, James was injured in that particular game and without him; Lakers lost 6 of their 11 games and could never recover completely. With this, this is the 6th season on a row that Lakers have missed the playoffs.
Johnson in this sudden news conference also revealed that there is something uncomfortable between Coach Luke Walton and Buss. He also hinted that Walton might also be fired after the season as he has not been hired by either Buss or Rob Pelinka.
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