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Los Angeles Lakers: The worst moves of Magic Johnson’s tenure

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Magic Johnson reacts as he speaks to the press resigning as Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Magic Johnson reacts as he speaks to the press resigning as Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Letting Brook Lopez walk

Before the Los Angeles Lakers traded Ivica Zubac for nothing and before the team had JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler they had Brook Lopez, who was acquired in the Russell trade that we mentioned earlier.

Because of Lopez’ large, expiring contract, it was widely accepted that he was just going to be a one-year commitment by the Lakers. So at the time, it did not seem like a big deal that Lopez’ Lakers career was coming to an end.

However, after seeing what Lopez signed and how he is playing this season it is apparent that the Lakers made a terrible decision in letting him walk for literally nothing. Lopez signed a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Yep. Just $3.3 million. That is only one million more than the team is paying JaVale McGee, who has been good for the Lakers this year. Lopez and McGee would have obviously been better than McGee and Chandler.

To be fair, Lopez did seem disgruntled on the Lakers because of his role with the team and maybe Magic offered a contract worth more and Lopez was just over being a Laker. However, that is where Magic should have stepped in and assured him that things would be different if he re-signed.

A lot of things would have had to not happen for the Lakers but it is not absurd to think that the team would be a playoff team if it had signed Lopez instead of spending the way they spent instead.

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