JEFF WECHSLER DOESN’T bear in mind who initially despatched him the clip final month of Magic Johnson rehashing his model of how the 2017 draft performed out when he was beginning his two-year stint because the Lakers’ president of basketball operations. However Wechsler definitely remembers his response to it. “I used to be like, ‘Properly, it’s not factually appropriate,’” Wechsler, who has been Tatum’s agent his total profession, advised ESPN. “Components of it had been appropriate, however it wasn’t the sequence or the cadence of what occurred.” Johnson mentioned, throughout an look on SiriusXM NBA radio, that the Lakers had been “top-heavy in forwards” and L.A. “couldn’t take [Tatum]’.” L.A.’s roster featured second-year ahead Brandon Ingram, fourth-year ahead Julius Randle and third-year ahead Larry Nance Jr. on the time. Johnson continued: “His agent, also, didn’t want us to work him out because he didn’t want him to end up with the Lakers because we were already top-heavy with forwards.” Wechsler objects. He remembers a distinct set of occasions. -via ESPN / January 23, 2025
