Magic: Jim Buss is the one calling the shots

Despite what he may have said last week, Magic Johnson knows that he won't be calling the shots for the Los Angeles Lakers - at least right away.

While he still wants a part in the overall decision-making process, Johnson realizes that it's still Jim Buss' team at the end of the day.

"Last week someone asked me if I wanted to call the shots," Johnson told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "I'd told them my role was as an advisor. Then he said, 'Do you want to call the shots?' And I said, 'I would love to call the shots.' But I know that I'm an advisor. Jim is the one calling the shots. I'm just an advisor. But I want to make sure that I have some type of input and then he can decide how he wants to use that input," Johnson said.

Should Buss eventually step down as executive vice president of basketball operations, Johnson appears more than eager to take his spot, saying he'd love to be responsible for all final decisions.

"When I say calling the shots, it's more, 'Somebody has to be the final decision-maker.' I would love that to be me. Everybody has their input and then somebody has to make the final call. Once we gather all the facts, I'd love to be the person making the final call."

With the trade deadline just a week-and-a-half away, Johnson reportedly met with Buss and general manager on Monday to ensure everyone in the organization is on the same wavelength.

"Everybody has to be on the same page right now," Johnson said. "What we should be concerned about is not just right now, but how it will affect the future of the Lakers. That's why we all have to be on the same page."