Magic Johnson SLAMS New Orleans Pelicans because Lakers missed out on Anthony Davis
MAGIC JOHNSON says New Orleans Pelicans lacked good faith during negotiations over Anthony Davis.
The Lakers submitted six bids for Davis last week with the final offer containing six players and two first-round draft picks.
Johnson tried his utmost to acquire the centre who handed in a trade request a week prior to the deadline.
But the 25-year-old remains in New Orleans with a desire to leave this summer.
And Johnson is frustrated that all his effort went to waste and he has slammed the Pelicans.
"No,” Johnson replied when asked if the Pelicans had acted in good faith.
"We knew that basically at the end of the day what happened happened.
“And we knew that when we first started. In terms of what happened, hey, it is what it is."
Lakers ace Kyle Kuzma admitted the trade talk affected some players’ performances after finding out they were part of the package offered for Davis.
But Johnson wants his youngsters to ‘man-up’ when it comes to their futures.
"Quit making this about thinking these guys are babies, because that's what you're treating them like," added Johnson.
"They're professionals. All of them. This is how this league works. They know it, I know it.
“That's how it goes. So we've got to move forward and we are moving forward."
"They get paid to do a job. We're all professionals. I've been in this league 40 years.
“A lot of players got traded on Thursday.
“Guess what's gonna happen next year? A lot of players will get traded. A lot of players will stay home.”