Lakers legend Magic Johnson recently said that Jayson Tatum didnt work out for LA before the 2017 Draft because his agent Jeffrey Wechsler didnt want him to.
Johnson was the purple and golds president of basketball operations at the time and the franchise had the No. 2 overall pick that year.
[Jayson Tatums] agent didnt want him to work out for [the Lakers]because we already had too many forwards, Magic explained on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Following Magics comments, Tatum was asked about the whole situation and says he doesnt hold a grudge.
I think I was just upset at the time that there wasnt, I guess, genuine interest, Tatum told reporters on Saturday.Just from my perspective, I grew up the biggest Kobe (Bryant) fan, wanted to play for the Lakers. Magic explained it. They had too many forwards and that was their thought process at the time. It wasnt like I got any animosity toward Magic or the Lakers. It was just as a kid. I was close to accomplishing a life-long dream, the way I thought it would be.
Wechsler himself has also since responded to Johnsons comments and explained his side of the situation.
Magics correct in what he said, but the way it was presented was a little different, Wechsler said on SiriusXM NBA Radio.. I mean, everyone knows that the draft starts in June, and guys finish the end of March Madness, and they work out for months. Well, Jayson worked out in L.A. for months training with Drew Hanlen there, and the Lakers knew that he was in L.A. and never called. And in late June, they called and wanted to bring him in for a workout. But by that time, everyone knew that they were taking Lonzo Ball.
So when Rob Pelinka called me and asked if they could work Jayson out, I said Well, if youre not gonna take him, why are you workin him out? And so I said, Get me on a call with Magic, and well talk about it. So he set that up a few days later, the agent continued.
Get on the call with Magic, I think it was around June 13th, and I said, Magic, everyone knows youre takin Lonzo Ball. He goes, Yeah, well were really heavy at forward position, and we need to take a point guard, and so thats probably who were gonna take. He says, But wed like to look at everybody. And Im like, Well, if youre not gonna take my guy hes been out there all summer. Hes now in St. Louis. Hes workin out for other teams. Im not gonna fly him back across the country for a workout when you guys arent gonna take him. And thats how it went down.
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