By Mitch Chortkoff

Sports Editor

Magic Johnson is returning to the Lakers as an advisor to top executive Jeanie Buss.

The announcement was made on Thursday and Johnson's duties will include meeting with coaches, evaluating the team's roster and advising on all player and business decisions.

Johnson's success as a player and a businessman is likely to result in highly favorable publicity for the Lakers, who are on the verge of failing to make

The NBA playoffs for a fifth straight season.

But his return to the Lakers would have been better a few years ago when he, Phil Jackson or Jerry West could have persuaded elite free agents to consider coming to the Lakers.

It will be much more difficult from now on due to the new seven year agreement between the owners and the Players Association which strongly rewards players financially for staying with their team.

For example, the Lakers acquired Shaquille O'Neal as a free agent but a player of his caliber would now have to sacrifice millions to make that choice.

The Johnson announcement didn't reveal the future of owner Jim Buss, who has said he'll give up his position if the team doesn't become a playoff contender this season.