Magic Johnson Reportedly Helping Lakers Recruit Kawhi Leonard and Nothing Makes Sense Anymore
By Ryan Flores
Well this is a head-scratcher.
After stepping down from the organization in April, Magic Johnson will join Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss in a free agency meeting with NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard. Yes, this is the very same Magic that had issues with general manager Rob Pelinka, who he accused of working behind his back, thus ruining his reputation.
How much more damage can Magic Johnson do, right? #Lakers https://t.co/ayK0aGOuXX
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) June 28, 2019
Magic must have really missed tampering. It's well known that Johnson has had a plethora of tampering issues since joining the Lakers front office in 2017. He's had issues with players such as Ben Simmons, Paul George, and the newly acquired Anthony Davis. Now that he's no longer an employee of the Lakers, he's free to say and do whatever he wants, which includes joining a free agency pitch.
“Kawhi Leonard will speak to the Los Angeles Lakers in the next few days and has made a personal request that only Magic Johnson and team president Jeanie Buss be involved, sources told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.”https://t.co/1r88JyujIy
— TheLakersReview (@TheLakersReview) June 28, 2019
The Lakers will need all hands on deck for this one, and will have it too. Not only will Magic be present at the pitch, but so will LeBron James and Davis, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
With the Lakers now expected to land a Kawhi Leonard meeting, a source tells @TheAthletic that LeBron James AND Anthony Davis are planning on being part of the formal pitch.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 28, 2019
Last summer, Magic met with LeBron at his home in Brentwood, CA and closed the deal for Los Angeles. Now the Lakers are hoping he can do the exact same thing for Kawhi. If Magic was able to convince the best player in the world to join the organization, then he most certainly has a shot with Leonard.