Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson abruptly left the franchise in 2019 as he stepped down as team president after he believed he was being betrayed by GM Rob Pelinka. Despite the rocky exit, however, Jeanie Buss still looks at Magic as an influential person around the Lakers organization who she can call up and ask for advice at any given time.

“To me, he’s still working with us,” Buss said, via The Athletic. “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 revealed that she called up Johnson in December when the Lakers first started struggling due to various injuries to their Big 3 of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook. Magic gave his brutally honest opinion on what the team should do.

“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.”

Magic definitely had a point there, but now, it simply comes down to the Lakers are flat-out not good right now. Westbrook isn't fitting in with Bron and AD, while their defense is very poor. LA didn't make any moves at the trade deadline either, which left many scratching their heads. But, they're expected to be active on the buyout market.

While Johnson gave Buss the cold hard truth, he definitely feels different about the Lakers now. This is what the Hall of Famer tweeted last week after yet another loss:

Nevertheless, it's good to know Magic Johnson still has a relationship with the Lakers. After all, he's arguably the best player to ever suit up for the franchise.