Magic Johnson says LeBron James promised a title when signing with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers legend and former team president Magic Johnson’s decision to step down at the end of the 2018-19 season is undoubtedly one of the hallmark moments of the team’s journey to the 2020 NBA Championship. But before Johnson decided to step down, he was the man in charge of the Lakers when LeBron James decided to come to the franchise in the summer of 2018. While many will look at the move by James to join the Lakers as a foregone conclusion, Johnson’s presence as one of the five best players of All-Time and an incredibly successful entrepreneur was also incredibly important extra pieces to help close the deal with LeBron.

After the Lakers won the championship, Johnson spoke with great pride that bringing LeBron James into the franchise was the central part of their success in an interview with Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, while also saying LeBron promised to bring a title to the Lakers when he signed.

“But also, LeBron James. What LeBron James said he was going to do when we were in his living room — myself, him and his agent Rich Paul — he said, ‘Earvin, I’m going to bring the Lakers back. I’m going to take us to the championship.’ Everything that he said he was going to do, he’s done just that. It was just great to know he was the centerpiece to bring us back.”