Will New Lakers GM Magic Johnson Come Calling For Okafor?

Los Angeles Lakers made a major move by ending the tenure of both Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss, who were given the task of rebuilding the Lakers. Magic Johnson has been named President of Basketball Operations less then 50 hours ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. Before joining the Lakers organization, Johnson spoke out frequently about his desire for the Lakers to draft Jahlil Okafor two years ago:

So could this be the trade partner General Manager Bryan Colangelo needs in order to move Okafor?

Philadelphia Daily News Sixers Beat Writer Bob Cooney joined The Sports Bash on Tuesday and discussed the possibility of the Lakers, with Magic Johnson in charge, being in on the action to trade for Jahlil Okafor:

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images and Andy Lyons/Getty Images

"They're in an interesting position, it's where do you go from here? You have the Louis Williams and Nick Youngs of the world that litter that roster...and some bad salary so is it a Clean Up? Is it a Clean Out and you hold on to (their) younger stars and try to build for the future? If the Sixers are going to get rid of Okafor, what do (Lakers) have to give back? You're going to want a younger star, you're not going to want one of these older guys or anything like that....Magic Johnson put it out on Twitter an awful lot how much he likes Jahlil Okafor and now that he's cleaning house and taking care of things (in Los Angeles), if I'm (Sixers GM) Bryan Colangelo I might give a Congratulatory Call and say 'By the way, is there anyway we can help you out a little bit?' and see what he has to say."

Hear what Cooney had to say about the positive impact of DeMarcus Cousins trade on the 76ers, the latest on Jahlil Okafor trade possibilities, and what is the next step for Bryan Colangelo

Filed Under: bryan colangelo, Jahlil Okafor, Lakers, Magic Johnson, NBA, NBA Trade deadline, Sixers

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