Magic Johnson, arguably one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time, just dropped a bombshell about his biggest regret from his time as an executive back in 2019. This isn't just some casual reflection either; it directly involves LeBron James and could have completely reshaped the Lakers' future. The man who played 13 seasons and has been a franchise ambassador his whole life is still reeling from one crucial decision he didn't make.
The Call Magic Owed LeBron That Never Happened
As President of Basketball Operations, Magic was the guy who pulled off the massive move to bring LeBron James to the franchise in 2018. But his tenure as an exec, which felt like it was just getting started, ended with his unexpected departure in April 2019. Now, Magic's on Shannon Sharpe's 'Club Shay Shay' podcast, and he's revealing the real kicker: he hugely regrets not telling LeBron he was stepping down before he made the move. He straight up said, "I regret not calling LeBron, telling him I was stepping down. I really regretted that. I owed him that." Can you imagine? Not giving the King a heads-up on something that huge? That's a gut punch, for sure.Why Magic Walked Away, and What It Cost
So, why did Magic just bail? He thought he had the power to run the show how he wanted. Turns out, he wanted to fire Luke Walton because he knew Walton "wasn't the right guy," but "they" wanted to keep him. Magic didn't want to "fracture the great relationship I had with Jeanie Buss" by staying and fighting it out. So, he thought, "Let me just exit, it was gonna be best for everybody." He stands by the exit, saying, "I'm glad I did it." But that regret about not calling LeBron? That still stings. Magic stepping down before LeBron's first year was even finished was a clear deviation from what they planned, a total curveball. Rob Pelinka ultimately took Magic's spot, and while Pelinka did eventually get LeBron the squad he needed for that 2019-20 NBA Championship run, a fractured relationship between Pelinka and LeBron after the failed Russell Westbrook trade in 2021 likely pushed LeBron to find a new home for his upcoming 24th NBA season. It’s crazy to think about the "what-if" of the Lakers under Magic's full guidance. Would they have snagged more titles? Would LeBron have stuck around in Los Angeles until his retirement? Unfortunately, we'll never get those answers. Magic might have landed one of the biggest free agency coups in history, but he didn't get to see it through. It's a massive "what-if" moment that leaves everyone wondering what could have been.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.