Fansided

Magic Johnson puts himself on the clock with the Lakers

By Rucker Haringey

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations, stands with the team's 2018 NBA draft picks Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: Magic Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations, stands with the team's 2018 NBA draft picks Moritz Wagner and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk during an introductory press conference at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Magic Johnson returned to the Lakers front office with massive expectations. Now he’s promised to deliver on those promises in the next two years. 

When Magic Johnson elected to take on the task of leading the Lakers front office most fans expected free agents to arrive in droves. That hasn’t happened for the franchise yet. Magic is clearly confident that will change soon.

Otherwise, he certainly wouldn’t have gone on record with his promise to resign if the Lakers can’t land any “elite free agents” in the next two summers. On the other hand, it’s pretty unlikely Magic would want to stay in the role for a longer period of time if he can’t get catapult the Lakers back into NBA title contention.

This summer he’ll certainly have an opportunity to go big game hunting. The Lakers head into free agency with just a little over $61 million in projected cap space. Depending on the years of service of the Lakers’ targets, that could be enough to sign two players to maximum contracts.

Obviously, LeBron James is priority number one for the franchise. He’s unlikely to head to LA unless they can get another superstar to play next to him. The likelihood that Paul George is going to run things back in Oklahoma City may ultimately prevent the Lakers from landing LeBron.

Magic’s efforts won’t stop there though. Kawhi Leonard is also very interested in moving from the Spurs to the Lakers. That wouldn’t technically quality as signing an elite free agent, but don’t expect Magic to capitulate to any technicality. If he can sing a trade for Kawhi he, and every Lakers fan on the planet would celebrate the acquisition.

Next: NBA Free Agency: 5 most overrated players

If things don’t break the Lakers way this summer, then next year’s free agency period is going to become very interesting. Theoretically, if Magic strikes out then he’ll be offering his resignation sometime before the 2019/20 season begins. Don’t expect that to happen. The Lakers will acquire an elite free agent in plenty of time to keep Johnson secure in his role atop the franchise.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers