Report: Magic admonished Walton for poor start
Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson reprimanded head coach Luke Walton in a meeting earlier this week, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin. The report added that Walton's job security depends upon his ability to turn around a 3-5 start to the season.
The meeting occurred Tuesday, according to the report. The following night, the Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks by one point in their best shooting outing of the season.
Walton's job security has been a question mark since Johnson took the reins as team president in February 2017. Walton had been hired the previous summer by former president Jim Buss. Sources told ESPN that Johnson has built a reputation with his often volatile management style that extends to the coaching staff.
Principal owner Jeanie Buss has been unwavering in her support of Walton to this point and defended him publicly after LaVar Ball's critical comments last season.
The Lakers are back on the court Saturday and Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors.