Report: NBA Won’t Allow Kawhi Leonard To Meet With Magic Johnson

Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times confirmed that Raptors star Kawhi Leonard plans to meet with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson. Marc Stein of the New York Times and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported that Leonard has requested to meet with these two. Well, Johnson is out of the front office, and ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the NBA won’t let Johnson take part in the talks.

“Magic Johnson says he will help the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency in any way he can, but he is not permitted by NBA rules to be part of official team meetings with prospective free agents. Johnson said he has not been asked by the Lakers or owner Jeanie Buss to participate.”

This isn’t an official rule and teams are actually allowed to bring other people to their recruiting meetings. We remember that the Boston Celtics used Tom Brady to get Kevin Durant in 2016.

Bill Oram of The Athletic confirmed that the Lakers and Magic Johnson agreed that when he stepped down that he would not take part in the official recruiting efforts. Johnson is no longer part of the team, but he can talk to other players. If these talks go in favor of the Lakers, they will definitely be considered as retroactive tampering.

“After Magic quit on April 9, there was an understanding between the Lakers and NBA officials that Magic could not be part of any recruiting efforts in free agency. All sides agreed the perception (as we’re seeing today) would be terrible.”

During his appearance on 2019 BET Experience Genius Talks, Johnson talked about LeBron and the 2020 Lakers, and confirmed his willingness to help the team recruit players.

“LeBron is still, you know, the best in basketball,” he told Jemele Hill. “And I think that when you put another superstar with him, an Anthony Davis, both of them will allow each other now to really play their game and dominate, because what happens, the floor will open up. And LeBron is such an incredible passer and driver, and he always makes his teammate better. So look for Anthony really to have probably one of his greatest seasons […]” 

He said he was ready to help the team get another All-Star and build a strong roster.

“I’m still going to be right there and I’m still going to be calling and giving them notes,” he said. “I told them that this trade could be great for the next 10 years for the Lakers. That’s what I sent in the note.’”