Stephen A. Smith scoffs at Magic Johnson’s bold prediction that San Antonio will make the playoffs next season

SAN ANTONIO — After the Lakers’ postseason ended after they lost to the Nuggets in the opening-round series, Los Angeles legend Magic Johnson took to X to plead for his team to make changes as soon as possible.

Among his reasons is that he believes the San Antonio Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama in uniform, will be a serious threat to the Lakers next season and will also make the playoffs.

“Laker Nation, we have a problem. All the good teams in the West are young and talented: the Nuggets, the Timberwolves, the Thunder, and the Mavs. And the BIGGEST elephant in the room is the Spurs, who, along with Victor Wembanyama, will definitely be a playoff team next season. For the Lakers to compete with all these teams, the roster MUST improve,” Johnson shared on social media. 

RELATED: Magic Johnson warns the Lakers that the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama are a playoff threat next season

However, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith completely disagrees with Magic’s Spurs playoff prediction.

Smith reacted to Magic’s message on his YouTube show, and says the Laker legend needs to be “drug tested” for thinking the Spurs will be postseason-bound.

“I think Magic Johnson needs to be drug tested on that last part. Spurs are not making the playoffs next season. Not that soon,” he said. 

Is Smith right that the Spurs will miss the postseason once again?

The Spurs finished the 2023-24 season with 22 wins, avoiding the worst record in franchise history.

To be a playoff team, the Spurs would have to have a massive turnaround to land in one of the top six spots in the West. Also, San Antonio must reach nearly 40 wins to sniff the Play-In Tournament and play for a seventh or eighth postseason spot.

With their many assets, the Spurs can speed up their rebuild, but will they rush it or let it develop slowly?

What do you think, Spurs fans? Do you agree with Smith? Let us know on X at @KENS5 and @JeffGSpursZone.