Prior to stepping down as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Magic Johnson had permission from owner Jeanie Buss to fire head coach Luke Walton at the end of the regular season, league sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.
Johnson had been upset with Walton's unwillingness to "bulk up" the coaching staff, which he felt was failing to develop the roster's young talent.
Watching Brooklyn Nets All-Star D'Angelo Russell and New Orleans Pelicans big man Julius Randle have career years in their new surroundings reportedly led to Johnson's lack of faith.
Walton would have been replaced during the year if Johnson had his way, but Buss was reluctant to make the change until the season had concluded, according to Haynes.
Walton didn't make comments about Johnson's resignation following the Lakers' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on Tuesday. He reportedly has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract with a team option for 2020-21.
The Lakers end the 2018-19 campaign with a 37-45 record, missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year.
