Greatest free agency signings in Los Angeles Lakers history: 3. Magic Johnson
I know this may look strange but yes, the Lakers did sign him as a free agent during the 1995-96 season and it was an amazing moment in not only Lakers’ history but in NBA history as well.
Johnson had of course missed five seasons as he was going through therapy for HIV. The team at the time was still rebuilding and therefore was quite young and had a roster consisting of players such as veterans Sedale Threat, Kurt Rambis, Vlade Divac, young stars such as Nick Van Exel, Anthony Peeler, George Lynch, Elden Campbell, Cedric Ceballos and rookie Eddie Jones.
Del Harris was head coach and the year before, the team had finished 48-34 and made the playoffs, getting knocked out in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs. They were going in the right direction. The timeline was perfect as the team needed something big and wonderful. What better than Magic Johnson coming back?
He may have been 36 years old but he was in great shape and feeling good. Magic only played in 32 games that season but it was such a special moment for Lakers fans and basketball fans of course.
They ended up finishing 53-29 but unfortunately exited the first round of the playoffs as they were knocked out by the Houston Rockets. Magic’s return only lasted one season, but it was one of the more memorable signings in Lakers and NBA history.