"Today, I'm gonna step down as the president", Johnson told reporters at an impromptu press conference, cited by AFP. "I was happier when I wasn't the president [of the Lakers]", Johnson stressed.
The news comes after a disappointing season for Lakers fans which saw the once-mighty NBA club fail to reach the playoffs for a sixth straight season.
Johnson's announcement came on the heels of an ESPN report that he and head coach Luke Walton have not spoken for weeks. Walton's future is reportedly in jeopardy after he failed to lead the Lakers to the playoffs in the first season with LeBron James on the team, according to ESPN. The Lakers entered the Tuesday night game against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 37-44 record.
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