Lakers News: Luke Walton Considers Relationship With Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka And Jeanie Buss Is ‘Great,’ Doesn’t Believe He’s ‘Going Anywhere’
Magic Johnson, Jesse Mermuys, Rob Pelinka, Luke Walton, Lakers
Ethan Miller-Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers historically have dealt with numbers distractions during any course of the season and the first for the 2018-19 team arose Friday morning with a report president of basketball operations Magic Johnson ‘admonished’ head coach Luke Walton after an 0-2 road trip.

USE CODE “FREESHIP11” FOR FREE SHIPPING ON ALL MERCHANDISE!

The Lakers opened the season 0-3 and after consecutive wins, suffered back-to-back losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves. Mixed results have been accompanied by subpar defense and several lineup and rotation changes.

While the reported meeting is garnering national headlines, it’s hardly out of the ordinary. “I have not read the article. Obviously, I’ve heard about it,” Walton said after practice.

“I will tell you this, Magic, myself, Rob, Jeanie, we are in constant communication. This isn’t all of a sudden there’s an emergency meeting. This is something we do all the time.”

Walton would not divulge any specifics of his meeting with Johnson, saying, “What we discuss in our meetings is between us.”

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has long been a staunch supporter of Walton, who was hired by the previous front office headed by Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchack. While not hand-picked by Johnson or current Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, the sentiment is they too supported Walton.

That may still very well hold true, even if Johnson critically and emphatically raised a sense of urgency. At minimum, Walton is not concerned about job security a mere eight games into his third season at the helm.

“I’ve got enough going on,” he said. “I feel like I have a great relationship with management. I’m down here to do my job and coach, and I don’t feel like I’m going anywhere, no.”

You May Also Like

Lakers Injury News: Lonzo Ball Won’t Play In Scrimmages When Training Camp Opens, Team Not Rushing Return

After battling knee trouble throughout his rookie season, Lonzo Ball underwent arthroscopic surgery during the offseason…

Lakers News: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade ‘Were Just Trying To Make Kobe Bryant Proud Of Us’

During and even after Kobe Bryant’s 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, some media made names for themselves…

Lakers News: Austin Reaves Discusses ‘Special’ Opportunity To Work With Phil Handy

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Austin Reaves has thrived since the start of the 2021-22 season, developing at a rapid pace…

Lakers News: Russell Westbrook Comments On If He Should Start When So Many Teammates Are Out

The Los Angeles Lakers missed two of their three leaders in the 126-113 loss against the Toronto Raptors as LeBron James and…