Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Reveals NBA Team He Wants To Buy

Magic Johnson now possesses 15 championship rings combined from his NBA playing career and his subsequent ownership roles in sports teams, as reported by Front Office Sports on October 31, 2024.

His extensive ownership portfolio includes stakes in Los Angeles FC (LAFC), the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, and the NFL's Washington Commanders.

During an appearance on ESPN's First Take earlier this summer, Johnson expressed interest in returning to the NBA, specifically mentioning potential interest in the Los Angeles Lakers or another team depending on the owner. When host Stephen A. Smith questioned if Johnson could assemble a group to buy the New York Knicks from current owner James Dolan, Johnson stated he would be "first in line" if the Knicks were ever put up for sale.

Johnson's path to becoming a billionaire after retiring from the NBA in 1991 is highlighted as remarkable. He built a $26 billion insurance company and acquired ownership stakes in multiple major sports franchises (Dodgers, LAFC, Sparks, Commanders). This business success is attributed to leveraging his name and brand beyond basketball.

The Knicks, a potential target mentioned by Johnson, are noted as a team on the rise. They finished the previous season as the Eastern Conference's third seed with a 51-31 record and reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.