In 1980 Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for 67.3 million dollars. The Lakers got No 1draft pick from New Orleans for Goodrich. The Lakers chose Ervin "Magic" Johnson and that season the Lakers won in the finals against the 76ers. Magic was the MVP but Magic was injured most of the 80-81 season. The Lakers then lost in round 1 of the playoffs and Pat Riley became the new coach. The Lakers won the championship that season.

  The Lakers got No.1 from Cleveland and picked James Worthy. The Lakers lost to the 76er's due to Worthy's broken leg. The Lakers got Byron Scott during the offseason. In the finals the Celtics won in game 7 to set up the Bird-Magic battle. LA got to the finals again. Los Angeles beat the Celtics in game 6 and then got A. C. Green and Kurt Rambis. The next season the Lakers lost to the Rockets. A. C. Green became a starter and the Lakers beat the Celtics in the finals with Magic as MVP. The Lakers beat Detroit the following year at the finals and Worthy got MVP award. The next season was Kareem's twientieth and final season. Kareem was 41 years old and without him the Lakers lost in the finals. The following season LA lost to Phoenix in the playoffs. After 9 years of coaching and 4 championships Riley stepped down and Mike Dunleavy became the new coach. On April 15 Magic passed Oscar Robertson in most assists thrown in a career. In 80-81 the Lakers lost to the Bulls.  Magic reported to have HIV and was forced to retire he still joined Bird and Jordan on the 92 dream team.

Johnson announced he would return for the 92-93 season. In 12 seasons Magic had 5 championships, three MVP awards, three MVP NBA finals awards, an Olympic Gold medal, 12 ALL-STAR selections, and three ALL-STAR MVP's.