Magic Johnson‘s impact on the Los Angeles Lakers has transcended his time on the hardwood.
Considered the greatest point guard of all time, Magic devoted decades of his life to the Lakers organization even after retirement.
Recently, he talked about how he managed to convince LeBron James to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Moreover, he revealed that he used Kawhi Leonard as leverage by letting James know that he was going to sign him as well:
“I told him these are the moves I’m going to make after signing you. At that time, I thought it was going to be Kawhi because he was the next free agent next year. Nobody knew that Anthony Davis was going to be available for a trade so I said [to LeBron], I’ll get you and I’ll get Kawhi and then we off,” Magic said on All The Smoke. “Oh, I would’ve had Kawhi,” Magic added when asked if he could’ve actually convinced him. “When I come in and close a deal, it’s done. Listen man, I do my homework. And my research so when I get you in that room, I already know what you want and I’ll just lay it out to you.”
https://twitter.com/shobasketball/status/1611148779838734336
Kawhi hit free agency shortly after winning the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, with most people thinking he was going to sign with the Lakers.
Unfortunately, Johnson abruptly stepped down from the Lakers, all but hurting their chance to get him.
Eventually, Steve Ballmer and the Clipper stepped in and convinced the Klaw to sign with them, and the rest is history.
NEXT: The Lakers May Be Signing A Former All-Star