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According to him, there will be "no pressure" on the fact that he will enter free agency, a defiant Magic Johnson said that it would not be a failure if the Los Angeles Lakers did not land a superstar this dead season and that he and the Lakers should be judged on how they do it after next summer.
"No, because I told you that it's [about] "We do not know what people will decide," Johnson said when asked if it would be a failure if the Lakers did not land a maximum star like LeBron James or Paul George in a free agency the month next. And we can not control that, so if the guys decide not to come here, it is not a failure, we look to next summer. Next summer, if no one comes and I sit here like that, then it's a failure. But if you judge us on a summer it's ridiculous. So a lot of guys should not be in their roles. Because if we are counting on a summer for the Lakers, we have problems. "
"You have to give us time," continued Johnson. "This class, as I told you before I took the job and when I took the job, it's going to be a two-summer thing for the Lakers this summer and summer. next, that's all. I'm going to withdraw, she [team controlling owner Jeanie Buss] will not have to fire me, I'll get away from it because [then] I can not do this job. "
The Lakers had no idea that Johnson was going to launch an ultimatum as hard, with a source telling ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that it was just a sign of Magic's "competitiveness".
Reiterating that the Lakers will use this free agency or the next to add power to the lineup and make it clear that he is used to the stressful situations of his Hall of Fame career, Johnson told him about it. He succeeded or failed by turning around the Lakers as team president after next summer.
As the Lakers presented two of their picks in the repechage – Michigan Moe Wagner and Kansas's Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk – Tuesday, Johnson struck a provocative and confident tone when asked about the Lakers having to walk away with an important feature that free agency.
"No pressure on me," said Johnson. "I'm going to do my job, I've always done it, I've played … do you know how many Finals I've spent?" So you think I'm worried? J & I I played against Larry Bird I mean, come on man, I participated in nine finals and I participated in NCAA University Championships. "
When told that it's a different job than being the playmaker who orchestrated the Lakers' "Showtime" dynasty, Johnson reminded people who he is.
"I'm Magic Johnson, I'm still the same guy," he said. "I'm not going to change, no pressure on me, I'm going to do my job, that's what I'm doing, I'm doing my job, I'm excited, it's fun, I'm waiting with impatience. let's go, let's continue. "
The Lakers also reminded people that they should not land their best goals this summer, they wanted to keep their caps on flexibility to tackle the big free players next year who could include Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson.
"We've been developing strategies for months on this," said Johnson about him and GM Rob Pelinka and their team. "We work hard … We only meet, meet, meet and watch all the free agents, you have your levels 1, 2, 3 and all along your level 4 [of free agents]"
"Yeah, you have to give us a few years to turn around," he added when asked to be judged after next summer and not just this summer. "We had already told you in the beginning when I accepted the position, it was not an easy change: we already did things to do the operations we did and bring in the people we brought, everything is already different [around here]"
Johnson has stated that he is ready to fly anywhere at any time once the free agency starts to meet with free agents. And if things do not go as planned, the Lakers can afford to wait until next summer to try to add the power of the stars to a promising young nucleus.
"I will stay disciplined and patient," said Johnson. "I'm not going to try to win you guys [in the media] more or more fans doing a stupid business just to say that I did something. I will not do that. So I will always be smart. I know this basketball game back and forth. I know who can help us and who can not. "
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