Magic Johnson names his top five Lakers but admits the franchise’s history makes ranking them impossible.

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Magic Johnson recently appeared on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast, where he discussed the impossible task of narrowing down the top five greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time. While the Hall of Famer acknowledged a few obvious choices, he admitted that the sheer depth of Lakers history makes it nearly impossible to settle on just five players.

Magic Johnson: “You got to start with Cap. You got Kobe. That’s easy. Those two are easy.”

Byron Scott: “I think the first three are easy—those two and you. I think the first three are pretty damn easy, to be honest with you.”

Magic Johnson: “I don’t really talk about myself like that.”

Byron Scott: “I know, that’s why I’m here. The first three are pretty damn easy.”

Magic Johnson: “Now, because he’s here, uh, he’ll probably fit in there with LeBron and then probably Shaq.”

Magic Johnson initially chose Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kobe Bryant for his top Lakers list, but Byron Scott insisted Magic belonged in the top three. Magic, ever humble, hesitated but eventually completed his top five with LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.

He also acknowledged other Lakers legends like Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and James Worthy, as well as impactful role players such as Michael Cooper and Derek Fisher.

“But you got Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, you got Clever, you got so many dudes that it’s hard to say just five.” 

“You almost have to say 15 or 20, and no other franchise—Boston would probably be right there with us—but not too many franchises can say they got this many dudes who were all-time greats… I mean, Jamal Wilkes, it’s just so many guys. That’s what makes us special.”

“So I don’t really try to look at an all-time greatest list for the Lakers because it’s just too many of them… I would say this—Kobe, one of my favorites. Cap, one of my favorites, because nobody in this league has ever dominated like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and nobody’s dominated this city.”

“Remember this now—this dude got more championships, and nobody in college did what Kareem did. Three straight national championships and three straight MVPs of the Finals as well.”

“The greatest college player in history by far—there’s no second. What he’s been able to do for the game of basketball, I would say this: the greatest to ever change basketball forever.

Nobody’s done what Kareem/Lew Alcindor was able to do for the game, both in college and the NBA. What he’s been able to do is amazing.”

Magic’s words highlight the incredible legacy of the Lakers, a franchise that has dominated the NBA for decades. Unlike most teams that might have one or two clear-cut legends, the Lakers’ rich history of championships and star players makes choosing a top five an impossible task.

Take Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, for instance. Magic didn’t just list him as an all-time Laker but also made a strong case for his spot in the GOAT debate.

“When you’re talking about the GOAT of the NBA, he’s always going to be there with Michael, and now they put LeBron in there, so those three dudes will be in there.”

Magic pointed out that Kareem’s three straight NCAA championships and three straight Finals MVPs make him arguably the most dominant college player ever, and his transition to the NBA solidified his place among the game’s greatest.

With six NBA championships, six MVPs, and the all-time scoring record until LeBron broke it, Kareem’s resume is legendary.

Magic also showed respect for LeBron James, who has etched his name into Lakers history despite arriving in Los Angeles late in his career.

With a championship in 2020 and passing Kareem as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron has added another chapter to the franchise’s storied history. Even though he doesn’t have the longevity of Magic, Kobe, or Kareem as a Laker, his impact is undeniable.

For Magic, it’s impossible to rank Lakers legends definitively because the franchise is simply too deep in talent. From Wilt Chamberlain and Shaq to Pau Gasol and Elgin Baylor, every era has produced multiple Hall of Famers.

Even Magic himself, a five-time champion and arguably the greatest point guard of all time, refused to place himself above others.

Ultimately, the Lakers’ legacy speaks for itself. They aren’t just a franchise—they’re a dynasty built on generational talent, championships, and iconic players. Magic’s words serve as a reminder that when it comes to Lakers greatness, it’s not about a list—it’s about a legacy.