Magic Is Leaning Toward Being a Laker Next Season

Magic Johnson, clearly thrilled by the play and attitude of the Lakers and encouraged by what a full season together could bring, indicated for the first time Saturday that he will probably return for 1996-97.

“I wouldn’t say it’s all the way settled,” he said after practice at Pauley Pavilion. “But it’s more I’m leaning toward coming back. No question about that. I’m heading in that direction.”

Johnson has said he would not make a decision on the future until much later in the season, if not the summer. But the immediate success, even without knowing much of the playbook at the start or being in preferred shape for any of his 10 outings, already has him thinking about what could be.

“Because of the way I’ve played, of course you’ve got to be thinking about next year,” the free agent-to-be said.

Told it sounds as though his return at age 37 is a done deal, Johnson said: “Not yet, but I’m moving in that direction. I’m having such a good time and the guys have responded. That’s the main thing. I knew I would have a good time, but the guys responded to me being here.”

Johnson is contributing 14.1 points, 6.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 25.1 minutes and shooting 48.2%, solid numbers even after a nagging calf injury had limited him to one, 11 and 15 minutes the last three appearances and greatly cut into the averages. He will be limited to the 20-minute range today against the Rockets at the Forum.