Magic Johnson questioned for 'bold' NBA pick after Damian Lillard, Deandre Ayton trade
NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson has weighed in on the blockbuster trade that included Damian Lillard going to the Milwaukee Bucks and Deandre Ayton going to the Portland Trail Blazers, with the Phoenix Suns receiving Jusuf Nurkic and three other players in return.
Some Phoenix fans found his comments about the Suns particularly interesting.
"The Phoenix Suns got a lot better and a much deeper roster with Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson," Johnson posted on X on Wednesday after the massive NBA trade.
Nothing wrong with that, right?
But Johnson concluded his post with this message: "The Lakers are the best in the West followed by Phoenix and Denver behind them."
Damian Lillard trade grades: Did Suns, Bucks or Blazers win trade involving Deandre Ayton?
The Phoenix Suns got a lot better and a much deeper roster with Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. The Lakers are the best in the West followed by Phoenix and Denver behind them.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 27, 2023
Oh boy.
That fired up some Phoenix, and other NBA fans, who thought Johnson should have just ended his post after the first sentence.
Come on Magic. 😂
— Tim Ring (@timringTV) September 27, 2023
Love Magic but zero chance he’s right
— Dino DeMilio (@dino101) September 27, 2023
lmfaoooo this has to be a deeply unserious tweet
— Makayla Perkins (@MakaylaEPerkins) September 27, 2023
Lmao. Lakers are NOT the best in the West. Just stop🤣🤣🤣
It's Denver, Phoenix and everybody else after that.— Carlitos (@CHItownHustla15) September 27, 2023
The best?! 😳
— CD23 (@thecd23) September 27, 2023
I agreed until you said the Lakers are the best in the west.
— Mario A Moreno (@MarioAMoreno) September 28, 2023
But Johnson wasn't done.
He later doubled down on his Lakers predictions with a "bold pick" for the Western Conference Finals next season.
"My bold pick for the West is the Lakers and Phoenix Suns will be playing in the Western Conference Finals and the Lakers will win!," Johnson posted on X.
Deandre Ayton trade reaction: Suns include star in Damian Lillard deal with Bucks, Blazers
My bold pick for the West is the Lakers and Phoenix Suns will be playing in the Western Conference Finals and the Lakers will win!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 27, 2023
That post was also met with some scratching of heads.
😂😂😂 you’re hilarious
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) September 27, 2023
Interesting take
— Not Uncertain (@notuncertain_) September 27, 2023
you are high while posting this.
— A.N (@A7N99) September 28, 2023
You pick the Lakers every year. Real bold alright
— yungkuch (@YungKuch) September 27, 2023
It isn’t bold if everyone and their grandma knows you’re going to pick the Lakers my man
— GetWetSports (@GetWetSports) September 27, 2023
How is that a bold pick😂
— Ashkon Bets (@AshkonBets) September 28, 2023
Interestingly, the Lakers are third among Western Conference teams in odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals released after the Lillard trade Wednesday, at +1400.
The Denver Nuggets are +500 and the Phoenix Suns are +600.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the favorite at +360, with the Boston Celtics second at +490.
NBA championship odds: Where Bucks, Suns stand after Damian Lillard, Deandre Ayton trade
What a blockbuster NBA trade! Damian Lillard is heading to the Milwaukee Bucks, making them the favorite in the Eastern Conference.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 27, 2023
NBA fans can you imagine the Lilliard and Giannis pick and roll?? They’ll be unstoppable!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 27, 2023
Last but not least the Portland Trailblazers got a huge return acquiring Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and 3 picks 2028
in 2029 and 2030.— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 27, 2023
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Damian Lillard trade: Magic Johnson questioned for 'bold' Lakers pick
