{"id":160694,"date":"2025-01-29T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nbaanalysis.net\/?p=137545"},"modified":"2025-01-29T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T23:00:00","slug":"stephen-a-smith-had-bust-up-with-magic-johnson-over-deaaron-fox-to-la-lakers-i-was-more-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/29\/stephen-a-smith-had-bust-up-with-magic-johnson-over-deaaron-fox-to-la-lakers-i-was-more-right\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A. Smith had bust-up with Magic Johnson over De\u2019Aaron Fox to LA Lakers, \u2018I was more right\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now joining Jimmy Butler as the most discussed NBA player ahead of the trade deadline is De’Aaron Fox.<\/strong><\/p>\n

De’Aaron Fox<\/a> does not want to sign an extension, and the Sacramento Kings<\/a> are now seeking to trade him before the deadline.<\/p>\n

Fox’s desire to leave Sacramento will be costly financially<\/a>, but he is keen on a fresh start. Among the potential trade destinations for Fox<\/a>, it is the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> who are regarded as front-runners.<\/p>\n

While Fox has agency ties with LeBron James<\/a>, Shams Charania immediately ruled the LA Lakers out<\/a> of the running for Fox.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Kevork Djansezian\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lakers regrets over De’Aaron Fox<\/h2>\n

Stephen A. Smith spoke to ESPN’s First Take where he responded to De’Aaron Fox’s desire to leave the Sacramento Kings<\/a>, and named the LA Lakers as his first choice.<\/p>\n

But while this does appear to be a non-starter, Smith reflected on the Lakers’ missed opportunity in 2017.<\/p>\n

The Lakers took Lonzo Ball at number two in 2017, passing on Jayson Tatum<\/a>. And he was not the only player.<\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith said he argued at the time with then Lakers president Magic Johnson<\/a>, claiming to have argued the case for De’Aaron Fox, who was taken at number five.<\/p>\n

He said: “It is the only argument he and I have ever gotten into in the 25 plus years that I’ve known him.<\/p>\n

“And the argument was me begging him, do not draft Lonzo ball, take De’Aaron Fox, because I had heard about what De’Aaron Fox had done to Lonzo Nall in the past, and then I witnessed what he did against Lonzo Nall and others while at Kentucky in the NCAA tournament. <\/p>\n

“And I said, ‘this brother is legit. He’s big time’.”<\/p>\n

Smith added that he was not interested in the rising fame and celebrity Lonzo Ball was gaining entering the league, as an argument for the current Bulls star.<\/p>\n

He said of Fox: “This brother will end up selling you tickets because he’s got that kind of game. <\/p>\n

“And I believe, as we sit here today, it’s the only time in my career covering basketball that I have been more right than Magic Johnson.”<\/p>\n

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