Magic Johnson believes Dr. Jerry Buss should be the next Lakers icon immortalized outside Crypto.com Arena—and it is difficult to argue against him.
Phil Jackson will soon join the collection of Los Angeles Lakers legends immortalized outside Crypto.com Arena, but Magic Johnson believes the franchise’s most influential owner should be next.
Johnson publicly supported the idea of honoring the late Dr. Jerry Buss with a statue after the Lakers announced Jackson’s statue would be unveiled April 9, 2027.
“He’s not only the greatest owner in NBA history but he also has a strong argument for the greatest franchise owner in sports history,” reporter Khobi Price wrote in an article shared by Johnson.
Johnson said Price was “exactly right” and added that he “100%” agreed with that assessment of Buss.
Buss Transformed the Lakers
Buss purchased the Lakers from Jack Kent Cooke in 1979 and immediately helped change how professional basketball was presented.
He understood that Lakers games could be more than athletic competitions. Buss turned them into entertainment events, blending championship basketball with the celebrities, music and presentation that eventually became synonymous with Showtime.
The results went beyond marketing. Los Angeles won 10 NBA championships during Buss’ ownership, beginning with Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Showtime Lakers in the 1980s.
Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers former coach Pat Riley (left) and Magic Johnson at statue unveiling of Riley at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesBuss later helped construct another dynasty around Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, then supported the moves that allowed Bryant and Pau Gasol to win consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010.
His ability to transition between championship eras separated him from most owners. The Lakers remained one of the NBA’s premier destinations because Buss consistently prioritized star talent and gave his basketball decision-makers the resources required to pursue titles.
A Statue Would Complete the Story
Jackson will become the ninth Lakers figure to receive a statue at Star Plaza. He will join Johnson, Bryant, Abdul-Jabbar, O’Neal, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Pat Riley and broadcaster Chick Hearn. Bryant currently has two statues, with a third planned.
Each honoree represents an important chapter of Lakers history, but Buss was responsible for connecting many of those chapters.
Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson speaks at unveiling of statue of former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley at the Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesHe hired Riley as head coach. He empowered West in the front office. He provided the foundation for Johnson’s Showtime teams and later brought Jackson to Los Angeles to lead Bryant and O’Neal. Even the stars already honored outside the arena were influenced by the organization Buss built.
Buss died in 2013, but his impact continues to define the franchise. The Lakers remain one of the most recognizable teams in professional sports largely because of the standard he established.
There are other deserving candidates, including James Worthy and Gasol. However, Johnson is right about who should be first in line.
A Buss statue would not simply honor another Lakers legend. It would recognize the man who helped create the modern identity of the franchise and turned the Lakers into a worldwide institution.
