Magic Johnson returned to the Lakers on Thursday as an adviser to owner Jeanie Buss, but the man who is arguably the most popular player in franchise history did his best to downplay the move as any signal of a change in the organization’s power structure.
The Lakers hope the Hall of Fame point guard who paced their Showtime teams to five titles in the 1980s can provide another assist in his new position, which has him reporting directly to owner Jeanie Buss. Johnson’s undefined role will have him involved in various aspects of the organization, including business and basketball, player evaluation and development and broader franchise needs.
“It’s up to every individual that works for the Lakers organization on how they want to utilize my expertise,” Johnson said in an interview on the Lakers’ cable station, Spectrum SportsNet. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Johnson, a part-owner of the Dodgers, met with Buss before a Lakers game on Jan. 17 to discuss the state of the organization, something Johnson told the Southern California News Group had become typical in recent years. Despite his extensive resume with the Lakers, though, his relationship with the franchise is hardly typical.
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 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’s return could put executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss in a precarious position. Johnson, who has frequently criticized Jim Buss in recent years, joins the Lakers at the end of Jim Buss’ self-imposed three-year timeline to build the Lakers into Western Conference title contention. The Lakers have posted the worst records in franchise history the past two seasons, and Jeanie Buss is expected to decide after this season whether to replace her brother and General Manager Mitch Kupchak atop basketball operations.
Nonetheless, Johnson said on Twitter that he had a “great conversation” with Kupchak and “a really good phone call” with Jim Buss. Johnson also had lunch with Jeanie Buss, Lakers executive Linda Rambis, D-Fenders president Joey Buss and Lakers assistant general manager Jesse Buss.
“Jim is calling the shots. I want him to understand I’m just here to lend advice,” Johnson said. “I’m not here to be anything but just give you some basketball knowledge.”
Johnson extended that invitation to first-year Lakers coach Luke Walton.
“If Coach Walton wants me to get on the floor with D’Angelo (Russell) and some of the point guards and work them out or just give them advice, that’s cool,” Johnson said. “If he doesn’t want to me a part of it at all, that’s OK too.”
It sounds like Walton will accept the olive branch.
“I’m excited, obviously,” Walton said before Thursday’s game against the Wizards in Washington. “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.”
The Lakers’ locker room seemed just as excited.
Forward Julius Randle called Johnson a “great basketball mind,” while forward Larry Nance Jr. labeled Johnson “one of the greatest players to ever play the game” and “one of the greatest Lakers ever.” Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, in his third season, looked forward to meeting Johnson for the first time.
“That’s Magic Johnson. You can’t not be excited,” said veteran guard Nick Young, who grew up a Lakers fan and starred at USC. “Showtime. Mr. Showtime himself. Walking around, pick his brain. Just talk to him.”
About what?
“I gotta ask him, ‘Did he get the same criticism for smiling so much?’” Young said. “He always played with that joy, too.”
Johnson looked joyful as he talked about his new role, adding that he declined previous front-office opportunities with the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks. Johnson, who will spend time at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo, said he will properly delegate his other responsibilities with the Dodgers and his various businesses.
Jeanie Buss said “we are thrilled and honored to add Magic’s expertise and abilities” in a statement, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver added in another statement that Johnson “is a truly special person and a natural leader with a relentless passion for basketball and profound knowledge of the game.”
“I want to make sure that Jeanie understands that I was going to devote the necessary time or I wouldn’t take the role,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to do anything halfway. I’m used to winning.”
*Staff writer Bill Oram contributed to this story.
Contact the writer: mmedina@scng.com
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