Johnson is undoubtedly correct. When NBA players compete against one another, there is no longer any hostility or hatred. Although some would contend that this is advantageous since it creates a less hostile playing atmosphere, it has significantly diminished the game’s fury and intensity. Recently, Shaquille O’Neal also blamed one of the NBA superstars for declining ratings.

Magic Johnson Sounds Off On Lakers To Make Roster Changes Around LeBron James And Anthony Davis

Magic Johnson’s main worry is the depth of the team’s squad. On the same topic, he stated on the “Speak” show that the Lakers are struggling because they don’t have a clear third star, even though James and Davis are playing at a high level. According to the five-time NBA champion, players such as Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves are extremely inconsistent.

For the last two years, Reaves has been the Lakers‘ go-to third option, averaging a career-high 17 points per game, but even in those years, his inconsistent play was evident. Even while Hachimura has improved as a reliable option under offensive-minded coach JJ Redick, he is still not good enough for a club hoping to contend in the Western Conference.

Magic Johnson said, “The west is stacked. LeBron is playing at a high level. AD, he’s been dominating. What we need, the role players gotta step up. We gotta get somebody who can be a consistent third scorer. That’s what’s missing. One day Austin is playing great, maybe for a couple games, but then he falls off. Rui, will step up, and then not be consistent.”

He added, “And we making LeBron play too hard. You can’t play too hard at his age. So we need D’Angelo Russell to step up as well. And so we’re having problems with just being inconsistent, and they make me mad man. When we played Minnesota in Minnesota and then we turned around and Miami blew us out, and the way our effort, that’s not Laker basketball.”

The Lakers will want to finish in the top four rather than last since they have a crucial stretch of games before the New Year. Unverified rumors have surfaced that the Lakers are open to reorganizing their whole squad, except their two top players. However, who will they have to give up, and who can they trade for?