Magic Johnson is not one to hold back his thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers. The franchise icon and former president of basketball operations has never hesitated to critique or support the team he helped elevate into a global brand. And during a recent appearance on First Take, Magic had a pointed reminder for Lakers brass: they ignored his warning, and it came back to haunt them.
“The thing that hurt the Lakers the most was losing KCP.. And then we’re watching the other guy for Oklahoma City right now in Caruso. They were our best on ball defenders. And I told them that.
“If you’re gonna lose KCP, he signed for more money, but you gotta keep Caruso. Can’t lose them both. But they assigned Taylor Horton to that $9,000,000. Instead of giving it to Caruso, and that come back to bite the Lakers.”
After winning the 2020 championship in the Orlando bubble, the Lakers still had the pieces to contend. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were in their prime, the team had a strong defensive identity, and players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso played vital roles on both ends of the floor. But in 2021, injuries derailed the season, and the team was bounced in the first round by the Phoenix Suns.
What followed was a dramatic shift in philosophy. The Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster deal that sent Caldwell-Pope to Washington. Then came the controversial decision to let Alex Caruso walk in free agency.
He was reportedly willing to return on a team-friendly deal, but the Lakers chose to invest in Talen Horton-Tucker instead. It was a gamble that hasn’t aged well.
Caruso signed with the Chicago Bulls, flourished into one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, and is now playing in the NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the first three games of the series, he’s averaged 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists off the bench.
His gritty defense, timely shooting, and hustle plays have been instrumental in the Thunder’s surprising playoff run. More importantly, he’s doing it on the biggest stage, something Magic believes could’ve still been happening in purple and gold.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have cycled through numerous backcourt options but have yet to find a defensive stopper like Caruso. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are elite offensive players but defensively, the Lakers have struggled to contain top-tier guards without a true on-ball disruptor.
Caruso was more than a fan favorite. He was the glue guy every contender needs. And now, as he chases another title in a different uniform, Magic Johnson’s words ring painfully true: the Lakers let go of a winning piece, and they’ve been paying the price ever since.
