"Next summer, if nobody comes and Im still sitting here like this, then its a failure," Lakers president of basketball operationsMagic Johnson said Tuesday. "If I cant deliver, Im going to step down myself. Lakers owner Jeanie Bu s wont have to fire me.Ill step away from it, because I cant do this job."Those are bold words from the man in charge of a franchise that has failed numerous times over the past several years to bring big-namefree agents to Los Angeles.In the next fewdays, starting late Saturday night when free agency kicks off, the Lakers could very well become the NBAs next "superteam."Maybe the
Jadeveon Clowney Jersey Spursdecide that they need to get what they can now for Kawhi Leonard. Maybe Paul George is readyto finally make the jump to his hometown team. And maybeLeBron Jamescomes to the realization that the Lakers offer the best on-court and off-court situation.If this transpires, Bu s and Johnson will have fulfilled their promise to Lakers fans, bringing at least two stars to Los Angeles and once again making the Lakers a championship-caliber team.But what about the end resultno one is discu sing? What if no stars ultimately wantto don the purple and gold?It has been five years since the Lakersearned a playoff berth. During that span, some of the shine on those cla sic jerseyshas dulled. And it has not just been the lack of succe s in the win column the organizations pride has taken a hit.Dwight Howard traveled to Houston despite all of the billboards urging him to stay in Los Angeles.Carmelo Anthony went to the bright lights of New York City.LaMarcus Aldridge chose San Antonio over LA because there was hardly a mention of basketballin the pitch meeting.Kevin Durant?
Mark Ingram Youth Jersey No chance.Johnson was brought in to regain the Lakers pride. Bu s was tired of losing, tired of being overlooked by free agents."Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Bu
Matt Prater Men Jersey s demanded and our fans rightly expect,"Bu s said on the day she hired Johnson. "Together, Earvin, head coach Luke Walton and our new general manager Rob Pelinka will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatne s."Since around the midway mark of the regular season, Johnson and the Lakers have pitched the two-year approach. It was a smart play, giving the front officean extra year to prove to a restle s fan base that this new group had a plan in place to ensure a return to glory.But dontbelievefor a second that the 2019 cla s is the prize. This current crew of free agents is the one that the Lakers have been eyeing. This is the summer in which they expect to make a big splash. And the timing could not be better for the Lakers to bring one, two or even three stars to LA.As free agency creeps closer, the pre sure is mounting. Recent reports suggestJames is hesitant to be the first star to sign with the Lakers, though he may be willing to take the dive and convince others to join him later. The Lakers front office has re-engaged the Spurs in trade talks after San Antonio previously refused to shop Leonard within the Western Conference. The Lakers could lose considerable young talent in any deal for
Zay Jones Women Jersey Leonard, butif it results in James becoming a Laker as well, the risk is clearly worth it.George went so far as to tell thePacers that he would choose the Lakers when he became a free agent after the 2017-18 season. That remains a po sibility, but the latestrumors point to George returning to the Thunder. Ifthe Lakers are unable to trade for Leonard and James also stays put, Johnson and the front office will have an out. They will lean on that two-year strategy and claim not all is lost.But dont be fooled.A swing and a mi s onone (if not
La'el Collins Youth Jersey two) stars to Los Angeles will be one of thebiggest public failures the organization has endured. And remember, those words come directly from Johnson himself.How can the Lakersbe viewed as an organization with the same mystiqueif they cannot lure players away fromCleveland and Oklahoma City? If they mi s out on this golden opportunity, what's the next move for Bu s?Magic and the Lakers have put themselves out there. They have made their intentions clear. It is time for the front office to deliver or Johnson might have to start looking for another job.
The Wall