NEW YORK — Magic Johnson’s love for his Los Angeles Lakers has saved him from contemplating possession of every other NBA workforce.
The New York Knicks can be the one franchise that might make him have second ideas.
“I feel it might be intriguing,” Johnson stated Tuesday. “The one workforce I’d really in all probability take into consideration is the New York Knicks.”
Johnson arrived in New York for a talking engagement at a YMCA from Washington, the place the member of the Commanders’ new possession group watched his NFL workforce lose to the Buffalo Payments on Sunday.
As soon as again in Los Angeles, he’ll gear up for his Dodgers to start play in baseball’s postseason. However the basketball Corridor of Famer repeatedly has handed on alternatives for possession within the sport he is aware of greatest.
Johnson named the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks as groups he turned down, slightly than discover himself in competitors with the Lakers. The Knicks, although, provide one thing completely different.
“I feel due to the best way followers love basketball you might need to consider that one, as a result of I like coming to New York and going to the Backyard and watching the Knicks play,” Johnson stated in an interview with The Related Press. “I like being with followers who’re so captivated with their workforce and the Knick followers are, and so they’re good. They’re good basketball followers and in order that one I’d have to consider. I feel that apart from that, I’d in all probability by no means take into consideration ever being part of one other franchise.”
Johnson stated he hasn’t spoken with Madison Sq. Backyard Govt Chairman James Dolan concerning the thought and is not on the lookout for a chance, content material to look at the Lakers as a fan after serving as their president of basketball operations for 2 seasons earlier than resigning in 2019.
But when the dialog did occur, Johnson would pay attention.
“That one you’ll actually have to consider, when it comes to being a minority proprietor of that workforce,” he stated. “However apart from that, I’d simply stick with the Lakers and even with my function now, simply being a fan, I am glad simply doing that with the Lakers as a result of, once more, I bleed purple and gold.”
Johnson, who was in cost when the Lakers signed LeBron James, believes they’ll play for a second NBA title in 5 years.
“I feel they’ll be one of the best workforce within the West this yr,” Johnson stated.
The Related Press contributed to this story.