Jeanie Buss Still Sees Magic Johnson As Working With Lakers In Unofficial Capacity

While Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations in 2019, he remains a largely influential figure within the Los Angeles Lakers.

“To me, he’s still working with us,” Jeanie Buss said. “In terms of an official capacity, in the NBA, you have to be very clear as to who can negotiate on your behalf and who can’t. So he doesn’t have that official designation. But in terms of his support, his wisdom, his insight, I freely call on him as needed.”

Buss consulted with Johnson about the direct of the Lakers in early December.

“I just sat down with him,” Buss told The Athletic, “and I said, ‘Should I be concerned? What are you seeing?’ And he just talked about, you know, the injuries and that the team hadn’t had a chance to be together. … So, you know, he’s very calm and insightful. And it, you know, I appreciate his seeing the big picture instead of reacting to every game.”