Magic Johnson recently addressed Jayson Tatum’s comments about not being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. In an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, the Lakers legend explained the reasoning behind the decision that ultimately led to Tatum being selected by the Boston Celtics in 2017.
Johnson explained that, during that time, the Lakers were already “top-heavy” in forwards. The team had a young core consisting of Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Larry Nance Jr., making it difficult to add another forward to the roster.
“We already had too many forwards. There was already problems because they all wanted to play,” Johnson said. Adding Tatum, despite his obvious talent, would have further complicated the situation.
The Lakers needed a point guard at the time, and that led to the selection of Lonzo Ball. According to Johnson, choosing another forward like Tatum could have created tension in the locker room. “We didn’t need the locker room to have any problems with another young forward,” he explained.
Johnson also mentioned that Tatum’s agent did not want him to work out for the Lakers, knowing that the team was already packed at the forward position. The agent understood that Tatum would struggle for minutes in a crowded rotation. “His agent didn’t want him to work out for us because he knew it wasn’t a good situation,” Johnson revealed.
While Tatum didn’t end up in Los Angeles, his career has flourished with the Celtics. The 2023-24 season saw Tatum lead Boston to its 18th NBA championship.
As of this season, he is averaging 28.2 points, 9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, solidifying his place as one of the NBA’s brightest stars.
Though Tatum may have initially been disappointed by the Lakers’ decision, Johnson’s rationale makes sense given the team’s roster at the time. The Lakers were focused on building around the core players they already had, rather than adding another forward to the mix.
Looking back, Johnson expressed his happiness for Tatum’s success. “I’m happy with what’s happened for Jayson,” Johnson said, acknowledging Tatum’s rise to superstardom with the Celtics.
