Magic Johnson: I hope Lakers lose

[Beat LA]

Wow.  Don't worry, Magic - Stern is gone, but the welfare of the Lakers will continue to be a top priority (as it always has).  Irrespective of your record at the end of the season, the league will get you a top 2-3 pick.  It's in the bag.

Magic Johnson thinks that the Los Angeles Lakers should get serious about losing.

Johnson, speaking at a promotional event Tuesday in New York City, said he wants his former team to lose enough games to contend for a high lottery pick in next year's NBA draft.

"I hope the Lakers lose every game," Johnson said, according to Newsday. "Because if you're going to lose, lose. I'm serious."

The Lakers (5-16) enter Tuesday's game against the Kings with the second-worst record in the Western Conference and the fifth-worst in the NBA.

Los Angeles' poor start comes on the heels of last season's 27-55 record -- the worst 82-game record in Lakers franchise history.

The Lakers landed the seventh overall pick -- used to select Julius Randle -- in this year's draft, and Johnson is hoping for another high pick after this season.

"If you're going to lose, you have to lose because you can't be in the middle of the pack," Johnson said. "You either have to be great or you have to be bad to get a good pick."

The Lakers are expected to have substantial salary-cap space this upcoming offseason. Aging superstar Kobe Bryant, who will make $25 million next season, swingman Nick Young, Randle and second-year forward Ryan Kelly are the only Lakers who have guaranteed contracts beyond this season.

Johnson thinks that the Lakers could turn around their fortunes quickly with the right moves in the offseason -- and another high lottery pick.

"The Lakers are in a good space, too, next summer if they can sign or trade for a talented guy," he said. "I'd rather be all the way bad than be in the middle."

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/12005550/magic-johnson-says-hopes-los-angeles-lakers-lose-every-game

[saltlover]

If the Lakers don't pick in the top 5, they give their pick to Phoenix, so he's right.

[mmmmm]

If the Lakers don't pick in the top 5, they give their pick to Phoenix, so he's right.

Which raises the question of whether ONE little step they could take if they really want to make moves to "prevent tanking", is to get rid of the practice of trading picks with protection.

Either trade the pick outright or don't.

[SHAQATTACK]

Well then ....he should tell Mitch the Witch to copy the 76ers

[BballTim]

  If he really wanted the Lakers to lose he'd be coaching them.

[Adelaide Celt]

If the Lakers don't pick in the top 5, they give their pick to Phoenix, so he's right.

Which raises the question of whether ONE little step they could take if they really want to make moves to "prevent tanking", is to get rid of the practice of trading picks with protection.

That is an excellent idea.

If he really wanted the Lakers to lose he'd be coaching them.

 

[D.o.s.]

  If he really wanted the Lakers to lose he'd be coaching them.

Ayyyyyeee

[Beat LA]

If the Lakers don't pick in the top 5, they give their pick to Phoenix, so he's right.

Which raises the question of whether ONE little step they could take if they really want to make moves to "prevent tanking", is to get rid of the practice of trading picks with protection.

Either trade the pick outright or don't.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who shares this sentiment.

[Smokeeye123]

And he's completely 100% right. The Lakers should, as an organization, position their team to lose as many games as possible. Anyone who disagrees on merit of 'pride' or the such would make a horrible GM.

[Moranis]

If the Lakers don't pick in the top 5, they give their pick to Phoenix, so he's right.

Which raises the question of whether ONE little step they could take if they really want to make moves to "prevent tanking", is to get rid of the practice of trading picks with protection.

Either trade the pick outright or don't.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who shares this sentiment.

if you do that you put way too much value on future picks and then you won't see near the trading making it harder for teams to get better.