WASHINGTON – Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has rejoined the Lakers as an adviser reporting directly to owner Jeanie Buss, the team announced Thursday. Johnson, who is a part-owner of the Dodgers, will be involved in all facets of the organization, including business and basketball, player evaluation and development and broader franchise needs.
The announcement comes just weeks after reports of Johnson meeting with Buss to discuss the future of the Lakers, which Johnson told the Southern California News Group was not uncommon. Johnson sat with Buss at the Lakers game against Denver on Jan. 17.
Johnson, who won five championships with the Lakers from 1980-88, is widely considered one of, if not the, greatest Lakers player in history. He is one of three players to be honored with a statue outside of Staples Center.
In recent years, however, his relationship with the organization had grown complicated.
He sold his 4.5 percent stake in the Lakers in 2010 and in June was removed from the team’s staff directory, where he had been listed as a “vice president.” That purely ceremonial designation was scrubbed at Johnson’s request, the team said at the time, “in hopes of clarifying any confusion” over his relationship with the team.
Johnson regularly took to Twitter to question the decisions of Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss, criticizing the executive for past coaching hires and being unable to restore the Lakers to a championship level.
In a statement, Johnson said he has considered other management opportunities in the past, however, the Lakers were his “first and only choice.”
“I will do everything in my power to help return the Lakers to their rightful place among the elite teams of the NBA,” Johnson said.
It is significant that Johnson, a longtime critic of Jim Buss, is coming aboard now, at the end of Jim Buss’ three-year timeline to build the Lakers back into Western Conference title contenders. Jeanie Buss is expected to decide after this season whether to replace her brother atop basketball operations.
Johnson’s role is vague, although the organization said Johnson will spend time at the team’s El Segundo headquarters.
Jeanie Buss has stayed out of basketball operations during her four years running the franchise following the death of her father.
“We are thrilled and honored to add Magic’s expertise and abilities,” Jeanie Buss said in the statement, “and I look forward to working with him.”
The Lakers have been through the worst times in their glowing history since failing in their 2012-13 attempt to chase a title with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol. While Bryant struggled with injuries, the Lakers posted the worst record in franchise history for three straight seasons, culminating in last year’s 17-65 embarrassment in Bryant’s 20th and final campaign.
The current Lakers are much more entertaining under first-year coach Luke Walton, but they still have the NBA’s third-worst record at 17-34 heading into a five-game road trip starting Thursday in Washington. Their playoff drought is all but certain to reach a club-record four seasons.
“I’m excited, obviously,” Walton said before Thursday’s game against the Wizards. “He’s Magic Johnson. Not only one of the all-time great Lakers, but one of the great all-time NBA players. He’s a champion. It’s a nice piece to have on your side.”
Johnson was an honorary vice president of the Lakers until last year, when the title was dropped at his request — and also because Johnson frequently tweeted criticism of Lakers coaches and handed out praise for free agents, possibly in violation of league rules. Johnson also held an ownership stake in the Lakers, but sold it to billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong in 2010.
Johnson has enjoyed successful careers in business and broadcasting after retiring from his playing and coaching career with the Lakers, where he enjoyed an extraordinarily close relationship with Jerry Buss. The former point guard is a part-owner of the Dodgers, among many other endeavors.
“Magic Johnson is one of the NBA’s greatest players and it is terrific to see him returning to the Lakers,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “He is a truly special person and a natural leader with a relentless passion for basketball and profound knowledge of the game.”
Jim Buss started working in the Lakers’ front office in 1998 after dabbling as a horse trainer and an executive for an indoor soccer team. He and Kupchak have built a solid base of young talent in the last three years, drafting Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram with high picks.
But the Lakers still appear to be far from contention, and they must give up their first-round draft pick this season if it doesn’t fall in the top three under the profligate conditions of the current front office’s long-ago trade for Nash.
Johnson was the No. 1 overall pick by the Lakers in 1979, and he played his entire career with the Lakers, winning five NBA titles and three league MVP awards.
News services contributed to this story.
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