Magic Johnson is giving himself an ultimatum.
The Lakers’ president of basketball operations said that if things don’t go according to plan in the next two offseasons — which he has helped hype as the Lakers franchise returning to superstardom — Johnson said he’d take action himself.
“Next summer if nobody comes, and I’m still sitting here like this, then it’s a failure. If you judge us on one summer, that’s ridiculous. Then a lot of dudes shouldn’t be in their roles,” Johnson said in video uploaded by ESPN’s Allen Sliwa. “Because if we’re banking on one summer for the Lakers, we’re in trouble. Because you have to give us time, this class — like 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 next summer. And that’s it.
“And if I can’t deliver I will step down myself, [team owner Jeanie Buss] won’t have to fire me, I’ll step away from it. Because then I can’t do this job.”
The Lakers, who finished second to last in the Western Conference last season, have put themselves in a position to bring in some star talent in free agency over the next two offseasons. With a plethora of salary-cap space, names like LeBron James and Paul George, both expected free agents this year, have forever been linked to Hollywood.
Next season’s class includes stars such as Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving. Johnson’s on the clock.