Magic Johnson has been in the news quite a lot recently. After being brought back into the Los Angeles Lakers organization as an advisor to president Jeanie Buss, Magic made headlines by speaking on his goals, and ultimately clarifying those comments.
What remains unknown at this time are the futures of Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak. Whether or not either return to the franchise is a question mark at this time. Another question is whether more Lakers legends could potentially return to the fold.
There have been rumors that the Lakers could look to bring Jerry West back to the franchise, and Magic himself went on ESPN’s First Take and said he would love to work with the recently retired Kobe Bryant, via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:
“First call I make if I’m in charge? Kobe Bryant,” Johnson said on Tuesday on ESPN’s “First Take.” “Because Kobe understands winning. He understands, also, these players. So I would call, ‘What role you want? f you’ve got a day, just give me that day. I’ll take that. Whatever time he has, I want him to come and be a part of it.”
Since retiring, Kobe has been adamant that his focus is on his company, Kobe Inc., which focuses on storytelling. However, he has said that if the Lakers organization needs him, he is only a phone call away. Kobe has also already met with Jeanie Buss.
Bringing in Kobe would definitely bring in more star power and potentially a return of the aura of the Lakers organization that has disappeared over the last few years. Going into free agency meetings with Magic, Kobe, West, and head coach Luke Walton would be something that no franchise could match.
Magic is well aware of where Kobe’s focus is at, but it’s hard to disagree that if Kobe could work with the Lakers whenever he could fit them in, the franchise would be better for it.
