Magic Johnson: Lakers a 'superstar away' from competing with Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers may sit just 14th in the Western Conference with a 17-35 record, but if you ask their new adviser, they're not that far away from contending.

Magic Johnson - who was named as an adviser to part-owner Jeanie Buss on Thursday - says that despite the team's poor record, the Lakers are just one superstar away from competing with the NBA's powerhouses.

"We're a superstar away from competing against (the Warriors and Spurs)," Johnson said in an interview with Spectrum Sportsnet. "One guy changes our landscape, because we have everything we need now, except that one guy to make everybody better.

"That's why I joined. If I felt we were far away and it was going to be a waste of my time, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't have taken this role. I know that we have the pieces in place and we will continue to get better."

Johnson spent 13 seasons with the franchise as a player, collecting five titles, three MVPs, three Finals MVPs, and 12 All-Star appearances during his time in Los Angeles. He later became a minority owner of the Lakers and held the title of vice president before selling his stake in Oct. 2010.

"One thing about this organization is we always come back," Johnson said. "And we will come back again. … I'm here to say that we're ready to take that step."