“I’m interested in the Lakers,” Magic Johnson just sent a not-so-subtle warning shot across Jeanie Buss’ bow. The Lakers legend, who’s long been synonymous with purple and gold, openly flirted with the idea of owning another NBA franchise—maybe even the Knicks if James Dolan ever cashes out.

Look, selling teams seem to be the latest trend in the league. Michael Jordan started the movement when he sold the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, Mark Cuban followed, and then the Celtics. Now, imagine if Jeanie Buss decides to step down from her role and hand the team to someone?

“I’m interested in the Lakers, but you know what? I may be interested in somebody else, too, depending on who the owner is,” Magic Johnson told Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim on ESPN’s First Take. Currently valued at $7.1 billion, the Lakers could fall under Johnson’s control if Jeanie Buss stepped down or the team were sold. It’s unlikely to happen anytime soon, but you know, hopes. However, the 65-year-old legend said he’d be first in line if James Dolan gave up the franchise.

Meanwhile, Stephen A. Smith observed: “So your future aspirations as an owner in the NBA are there. I see that, I like that. I didn’t think you were going to say that.” Now, Johnson shared, “I’ve been a Laker my whole life. I’ve turned down—Peter and them came to see me with the Golden State Warriors.” As pointed out by Magic himself, the Bay Franchise reached out to the Laker legend to partake in ownership, only for him to stay loyal to his choice of Cali team, even if not owning the Lakers.

But Magic knows his priorities, and even after having dinner with Joe Lacob, he told him, “No, I’m a Laker. I can’t own the Golden State Warriors.” Johnson revealed that he had multiple opportunities to own NBA teams, with offers from friends and other owners. He has always remained loyal to the Lakers. However, he admitted he’d seriously pursue buying the Knicks, admiring New York and its passionate fan base.

For Jeanie, that’s not just idle talk. That’s the franchise’s most iconic ambassador hinting he could one day sit on the opposite side, building a contender that could go toe-to-toe with the Lakers. Whether it’s in New York or elsewhere, the message is loud: if Jeanie’s Lakers can’t get back to winning ways, Magic might just be the one to challenge them head-on.

While Magic Johnson‘s remarks sparked curiosity about potential ownership shifts in Los Angeles, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made waves of his own. In a rare move, Silver opened up about the league’s future direction, touching on expansion, team valuations, and the evolving ownership. His revelations may hold significant implications for Buss, Johnson, and the Lakers alike.

Adam Silver’s latest revelation could help Magic Johnson’s ownership dreams

Las Vegas might be gambling on more than just cards soon. NBA expansion talk is heating up, and Commissioner Adam Silver has kept the city in the conversation. Steve Hill, the President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, revealed, “The Commissioner has obviously talked about a couple of expansion teams. He’s mentioned Las Vegas. We have at least three credible groups who want to bring a team here… If they expand, I think Las Vegas has the best foot to put forward of any city out there. I mean, for all kinds of different reasons.”

Beyond the talk, Las Vegas has already built a strong foundation. The NBA Summer League lights up the city every July. The Play In Tournament crowned its first two champions here. NBA teams have hosted training camps at UNLV. Hill proudly added, “We’ve got a great relationship with the NBA, we’ve been a basketball city. I’ve been here 38 years, and it was a basketball city before I got here. And we got credible groups to be here… The experience around any game in Las Vegas is elevated because it’s here. So, you know, all of those things line up, I think, exceptionally well.”

The NBA is on the brink of a power shift, and every corner of the league is buzzing. From Magic Johnson’s candid pitch to own the Knicks to Jeanie Buss potentially facing pressure in Los Angeles, the drama is building. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is not waiting in the wings—it is charging toward the spotlight. Change is not coming. It is already here.