Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers chief
President of basketball operations opts to resign following a disappointing campaign
Los Angeles — Magic Johnson stunned the basketball world on Tuesday, abruptly resigning from his management role with the Los Angeles Lakers and plunging the ailing National Basketball Association franchise into fresh turmoil. In a dramatic announcement which came shortly before the Lakers’ final game of the season, an emotional Johnson said he was stepping down after a two-year reign as president of basketball operations with the 16-time NBA champions. The 59-year-old Lakers legend’s decision followed a disappointing campaign which saw the once-mighty Los Angeles franchise fail to make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. “Today, I’m gonna step down as the president,” Johnson told reporters at an impromptu media conference. He had been saddled with the task of reviving the Lakers and played a pivotal role in persuading LeBron James to join the team in 2018 in a blockbuster move. However, the Lakers’ revival stalled this season when James was injured, triggering a slump that s...
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