Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss seemingly hinted at once hooking up with franchise legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson back in the ’70s.

Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson (Photos via Getty Images)

Jeanie Buss inherited the Lakers from her father, Jerry Buss, following his passing at the age of 80 in 2013. Magic Johnson worked in the Lakers’ front office from 2017 to 2019, serving as the president of basketball operations.

Johnson played a pivotal role in recruiting LeBron James in 2018 free agency. Two years later, James led the Lakers to an NBA Championship (their first in 10 years) in the Orlando Bubble.

During a recent appearance on “ALL THE SMOKE” hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Jeanie Buss recalled one of the first interactions she had with Johnson after he was drafted first overall in 1979.

Buss recalled seeing Johnson’s signature and flashy smile when she opened the door to welcome him inside. And with the way she told the story, some fans are now convinced that Buss and Johnson hooked up that night:

Buss recalled Johnson even telling her that his plan was to leave the Lakers in three years so that he could play for his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons. After Jeanie relayed the message to her father, Dr. Buss promised Johnson wouldn’t play for another team after putting on the Lakers jersey.

Jeanie Buss & Magic Johnson Brought Lakers Back To Relevance

The Lakers endured one of their worst stretch runs in franchise history from 2014 to 2019, finishing no better than 37-45 during that stretch. They missed the playoffs every year and had little draft lottery luck.

But Buss’ decision to bring Johnson back in 2017 proved to be a franchise-changing move. If not for Johnson, perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers would not have recruited LeBron, and their period of irrelevance would have lasted even longer.

The Milwaukee Bucks are working on improving their roster for the 2024-25 NBA season. Earlier today, it was announced that the team had agreed to a one-year veteran minimum contract with former Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince. This recent signing helps improve Milwaukee’s bench, as Prince averaged 8.9 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 39% from three off of Darvin Ham’s bench.

Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) speaks with forward Frank Kaminsky (44) against Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
There are, however, several more roster spots to fill. While the Bucks have already signed former Miami Heat guard Delon Wright and Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Umude, they still have a way to go until they should be comfortable with the roster.

One of the things that they are focusing on their season is finding more versatile players that can defend multiple positions and shoot accurately from beyond the three-point line. With this in mind, it appears that they kicked the tires on an old Wisconsin Badgers star.

The Milwaukee Bucks Worked Out Former Wisconsin Badgers Star Sam Dekker

Apr 9, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Sam Dekker (8) dribbles during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Former Badgers forward Sam Dekker is well-known to Wisconsin-based basketball fans. A star at Sheboygan Lutheran High School, he was one of the most popular in-state recruits but committed to Wisconsin as a junior.

While with the Badgers, Dekker played a huge role on the teams that appeared in back-to-back Final Fours. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

After four seasons in the NBA spent with the Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Washington Wizards, Dekker spent two seasons overseas playing in Russia and Turkey. He then signed with the Toronto Raptors in 2021, but only appeared in one game and was cut before the season ended.

Dekker has spent the last few seasons playing for the London Lions, but a change in management of the club has his future there uncertain, despite the fact that he signed a contract extension.

According to Mike Lucas of The Cap Times, Dekker and his family are back in the United States for now, and he recently worked out with the Bucks, among other NBA teams: “Dekker returned to the United States in late May and has had NBA tryouts with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks.”

Sam Dekker Played for Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers

Mar 20, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker (7) dribbles during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
As mentioned, Dekker previously played for the Clippers early in his professional basketball career. Prior to the 2017-2018 season, Los Angeles acquired him in the trade that sent Chris Paul to Houston.

The head coach of the Clippers at the time was Doc Rivers, who is now the Bucks’ head coach. That season, he averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game.

For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content

Mayfield Sports Marketing

Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion.  Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows.