The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t quite figure out what to do with Luke Walton even after Magic Johnson’s departure as team president.
According to Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers actually spoke with Walton’s representatives after Johnson’s departure to see if there was a way forward for him to remain coach. However, it became clear that, as the Lakers had planned to fire Walton before Johnson’s departure, it was simply untenable for him to remain in his role.
The Lakers had cursory talks with Walton’s representatives in which both sides discussed if there was a way forward, according to multiple sources. The conversations didn’t go very far, however, as it was obvious LA had planned to fire Walton before Johnson abruptly stepped down.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 12, 2019
What kind of authority could Walton have, if everyone on the team knew LeBron had done his exit interview with Magic & Pelinka — but not Walton?
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 12, 2019
While it gives some credence to the thinking that Johnson’s departure may have benefited Walton, it is pretty much illustrative of the chaos swallowing up the Lakers right now. This was phrased as Walton leaving by mutual consent, but that seems to be because he knew his authority was completely shot already. The fact that there was thought given to keeping Walton after Johnson’s departure seems to illustrate that decisions are being made with a lot of fluidity and the process might not be very sound right now.
