“I Think Magic Johnson Needs to Be Drug Tested”: Stephen A. Smith Destroys Hopes Over Victor Wembanyama Claim

Magic Johnson had a lot to say after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. While he pointed out the flaws in the LA unit, he also gave a reality check for the next season. He warned the Lakers about young teams that would be on the hunt, and that included Victory Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Although many agreed with Johnson’s take, ESPN analyst Stephen. A. Smith is not a fan of it. 

On Monday night after game 4 between the Lakers and the Nuggets, Johnson tweeted, “Laker Nation, we have a problem. All the good teams in the West are young and talented”. He went on to list out a few teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Denver Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Dallas Mavericks. However, he believes, the “BIGGEST elephant in the room” is the San Antonio Spurs, starring Victor Wembanyama. Johnson boldly claimed, “Spurs…with Victor Wembanyama, will definitely be a playoff team next season”.

Stephen. A. Smith, who released a new video on YouTube, went through Johnson’s tweet. When the 53-year-old read the Lakers’ legend’s bold claim about the Spurs, he said, “I think Magic Johnson needs to be drug tested on that last part. Spurs are not making the playoffs next season. Not that soon.” 

The Spurs finished as the 14th seed in the West this season. They finished with a record of 22-60, but there were a lot of notable victories in these. They beat the Denver Nuggets in the last game of their regular season, which was a 23-point comeback. They also beat the Phoenix Suns thrice, with Wembanyama leading the team from the front. Smith believes that the French center alone cannot lead the team to the playoffs. But what if another young star joins Wembanyama at the Spurs? 

Are the Spurs interested in adding a talented Atlanta Hawks star in the summer?

The Spurs are lacking height, and a few offensive guards as well. Trae Young is a name to watch out for this summer. Young and Wembanyama in the same team sounds deadly, but the Spurs are interested in someone else from the Atlanta Hawks. Dejounte Murray, who spent his initial years at the Spurs, might make a return this summer if things go right. 

Several reports have hinted at the above potential move. Even if Murray doesn’t join the team, the Spurs are eyeing a “top-flight point guard“, according to Shams Charania from The Athletic. He shared in a recent interview, “They’re gonna be in play, they’re gonna be rumored, they’re gonna be talked about with legitimately every top-flight point guard that we’re gonna see potentially on the marketplace.” Smith might agree with Johnson’s point if the Spurs land a star point guard soon.