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Lakers Rumors: Magic Johnson ‘ignored’ pleas to keep Brook Lopez, Julius Randle in town

By James Francuz

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Julius Randle #30 during the second half of a 107-101 Jazz win at Staples Center on December 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Head Coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Julius Randle #30 during the second half of a 107-101 Jazz win at Staples Center on December 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The latest Los Angeles Lakers rumors suggest that team president Magic Johnson did not listen to petitions concerning keeping two former Lakers last year.

Let’s face the facts, folks. The Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2018-2019 campaign has been nothing short of a disaster. In all sincerity, words like “disaster” are probably not even adequate enough when it comes to summing up how the tides have turned.

Sitting at 30-36, this current Lakers roster is doing far worse than most people would have ever anticipated. Notwithstanding the slithering array of injuries that have plagued the team, their record should definitely be better.

The Lakers have suffered losses to some of the league’s worst teams during the process. Assuming some of those losses could be reversed, the purple and gold would at least have some hope left in the tank.

However, any amount of hope has essentially soared out of the window by now. Even for those who are die-hard Lakers’ supporters, it is not unrealistic to think the team’s playoff chances are dead.

On account of this, it becomes proper to speculate on the reasons why Los Angeles’ season has been so chaotic. It is not impractical to place part of the blame on the decisions the front office has made.

Per a recent report from Bill Oram of The Athletic, team president Magic Johnson made a couple questionable decisions last summer. According to the report, Magic “ignored” the opinions of Luke Walton’s coaching staff with respect to re-signing Julius Randle and Brook Lopez.

Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report transcribed what Bill Oram shared, noting players Johnson thought would better suit the Lakers’ needs. For example, when it came to building the squad this summer, Magic lured in JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley, and Lance Stephenson.

Certainly, given where the Lakers currently stand, it becomes easier to criticize the moves the front office made. That does not make said criticism unjustified, though. For what it’s worth, Beasley is not even riding the Lakers’ bench anymore.

Despite McGee’s solid defense during portions of 2018-2019, he has been relatively inconsistent. It is fair to say the same has been true regarding Stephenson. Thus, it causes one to wonder why Magic did not listen to what Walton’s team was recommending.

As Paolo Songco of ClutchPoints argued, Randle and Lopez would not necessarily be putting up great numbers if the Lakers retained them. Those are hard variables to pinpoint.

Despite that, it is reasonable to believe re-signing one, if not both, of those guys would have been prudent last summer.

This is especially the case when Randle is thought about. The fourth-year player is having a mighty good season for the New Orleans Pelicans.

As of when this was written, Randle carries averages of 20.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. In the points department, the big man is averaging a career-high.

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As Songco indicated, no one knows whether Julius would be putting up similar stats if the Lakers kept him. It is important to say the following, though. Randle had the best year of his Lakers’ career in 2017-2018, which makes the logic of the front office a bit confusing.

In fact, one could make the case Randle was the best Lakers at times last year. However, the team executives ultimately let the young man go for nothing in return last summer.

It is key to bring up one more thing with Randle. His agent and the Lakers never got along too well, so re-signing Randle was perhaps not meant to be.

Lopez has not been a slouch for his new team, the Milwaukee Bucks, either. As a matter of fact, the 7-footer is accumulating 2.2 blocks a night for the Bucks, which is a career-high. He is also knocking down three-pointers at a higher rate than ever, via Polacek.

The Lakers have been one of the worst outside shooting teams in basketball this season. Accordingly, having a capable shooter like Lopez would have been nice at certain points for sure.

For the sake of consideration, Julius and Brook have been more valuable than swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Yet the Lakers decided to give KCP of all people a $12 million extension last summer. An interesting decision, to say the very least.

It is difficult to imagine what could be going through Magic’s mind at a time like this. Maybe he does not care too much given that he is in a position of power. Who knows?

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No matter what side of the coin is looked at, though, the following is worth addressing. The next time the Lakers’ staff has something to say, the former leader of the Showtime era may want to swallow his pride.

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