It’s common knowledge that sending inappropriate tweets can get you in trouble, and Magic Johnson was the latest to find that out the hard way.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star’s tweets usually are benign, more often than not reading like Associated Press stories. Every once in a while, though, he slips in a hot take, and his latest opinions have cost him a “job.”
The Lakers announced late Saturday night they have stripped Johnson of his honorary title as team vice president and removed his name from the team directory. The Lakers said in a statement that Johnson asked them to make these changes, with the goal of “clarifying any confusion over Johnson’s involvement with or representation of the team.”
Johnson sent several tweets over the course of this season suggesting the Lakers go after free agents, most notably Kevin Durant.
Kevin Durant scored 37pts against the Warriors tonight! I hope the Lakers' Jim Buss was watching, because that's who we need next season.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 28, 2016
Laker Nation: The first free agent the Lakers should go after is Kevin Durant.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
Laker Nation: I would love to see Kevin Durant in the Purple & Gold!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
He even suggested L.A.’s ownership go after LeBron James.
Laker Nation: The Lakers should call LeBron James agent. We know he's going stay in CLE but they should go after him just in case he leaves.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
Since Johnson technically was on the Lakers’ staff, those tweets qualify as tampering — a team employee can’t publicly express interest in a player before he becomes a free agent.
With that in mind, the move makes sense for both parties. Johnson sold his ownership stake in the Lakers in 2010 and hasn’t been actively involved with the team since then, so now the Lakers no longer have to worry about potential tampering charges, while Magic now is free to unleash his hot takes upon the world.
Cookie & I went to Central Park to see our friend LaTanya Jackson perform in The Taming of the Shrew! She was excellent and so was the play!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 12, 2016
Or something like that.
Thumbnail photo via Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports Images
