Ex-Lakers GM Magic Johnson firesdshots at Rob Pelinka over botched Kawhi Leonard deal (Image Source NBA.com)
Ex-Lakers general manager Magic Johnson once said he would have completed the Kawhi Leonard signing in 2019 free agency, which his successor, Rob Pelinka, failed to do. It was one of the most intriguing storylines that summer.
Leonard wanted to move back to his hometown and nearly had a deal locked with the Purple and Gold, only to make a U-turn and join their rivals, the LA Clippers, instead.
Magic Johnson, whose biggest highlight as a Lakers GM was signing LeBron James in 2018 NBA free agency, claimed he wouldn't have missed out on Leonard if he had negotiated it. Here's what Johnson said on Matt Barnes' podcast, "All The Smoke," on Jan. 13, 2023:
