Magic Johnson: My $50,000 Fine for Tampering with Giannis Was 'Outright Stupid'

Now that Magic Johnson isn't bound by NBA regulations, he's speaking out about some of the league rules that bothered him as president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Speaking to ESPN's Rachel Nichols on The Jump, Johnson was unhappy about the tampering fine levied on the Lakers last year after he complimented Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

"I think the Milwaukee fine was silly," he said. "Just outright stupid. I was just complementing him [Giannis] as well as the organization."

In February 2018, Johnson told ESPN.com's Nick Friedell he saw many similarities between his style of play and Antetokounmpo's:

"With his ball-handling skills and his passing ability. He plays above the rim I never could do that. But in his understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates. That's where we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play. I'm just happy he's starting in the All-Star game because he deserves that. And he's going to be like an MVP, a champion, this dude he's going to put Milwaukee on the map. And I think he's going to bring them a championship one day."

Johnson also called Antetokounmpo "special" and "probably the greatest athlete we have in the league today," but at no point did he mention anything about the Greek Freak possibly playing for the Lakers. 

The NBA responded by giving the Lakers a $50,000 fine for violating the league's tampering rules.

It was the second time in six months the organization had been fined for tampering. They were docked $500,000 in August 2017 after an independent investigation found Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made improper communication with Paul George's agent. 

Johnson is free to discuss any player he wants after announcing his resignation from the Lakers prior to Tuesday's season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

The Lakers will begin their search to find Johnson's replacement as they try to reshape a roster that can improve upon their disappointing 37-45 record in 2018-19.