*While being interviewed by ESPN, Magic Johnson pledged to step down as Lakers president of basketball operations if he can’t persuade an elite free agent to sign with the 16-time NBA champions within the next two summers.
“We don’t know what people are going to decide, and we can’t control that. So if guys decide not to come here, it’s not a failure — we turn to next summer. Next summer, if nobody comes and I’m still sitting here like this, then it’s a failure. But if you judge us on one summer, that’s ridiculous. Then a lot of dudes shouldn’t be in their roles. Because if we’re banking on one summer for the Lakers, we’re in trouble.”
As noted by The AP, Johnson was put in charge of the Lakers’ front office by owner Jeanie Buss in February 2017, and the former superstar point guard immediately announced plans to revive the struggling franchise by enticing the game’s best players to join as free agents.
With Paul George and potentially LeBron James headlining the market this summer, Johnson is leading the Lakers’ efforts to land both players this weekend.
If they sign elsewhere, Johnson and the Lakers will pursue the large crop of 2019 free agents. And if he strikes out with every big name, Johnson said he will quit.
“Like I told you when I took the job, it’s going to be a two-summer thing for the Lakers,” Johnson said. “This summer, and next summer, and that’s it. And if I can’t deliver, I’m going to step down myself. She won’t have to fire me. I’ll step away from it. Because then, I can’t do this job. But so far, so good.”
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In related news, Chris Webber is making the move from former NBA star to movie star with the new film “Uncle Drew.”
He told Page Six at the film’s premiere:
“This woman reached out to me on Facebook with a picture of my nephew and said that that was our baby. She was after a child-support check. But my sister hopped right in and shut it down. The women in my family do not play.”
In the film, Webber and co-stars Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller and Kyrie Irving play old codgers, but Webber, 45, says of being seen as an “old-school” player:
“I am not offended; I still look good. I would never be offended by that.” He revealed of what music he uses to get hyped up: “Oh, that’s easy . . . Nas all day.”
