Magic Johnson says one of the reasons why he stepped down as president of basketball operations for the LA Lakers, was in part to be able to mentor players like Ben Simmons.

Johnson called it quits from his role in the front office of the legendary franchise in a stunning move before the Lakers' season finale against Portland.

The decision comes just over two years after being brought into the position by owner Jeanie Buss, in an effort to make one of the league's most famous franchises great again after missing the postseason for several seasons.

Johnson and Simmons were embroiled in controversy earlier in the season after Johnson told reporters that Simmons wanted to meet with the him in the offseason to get some tips due to the legend sharing a similar style of play with the Australian during his playing days.

Johnson said at the time: “He reached out to me, not to me directly, to the Lakers, to find out if we can get together this summer,” said Johnson.

“I said, 'Hey, you’d have to clear it with the league. Everybody. The Sixers sign off. We sign off. The league sign off that nothing is going on.”

But the NBA and 76ers both knocked back the idea because of the awkward position it would put Philadelphia in, especially with a rival team's executive meeting with another team's star. Johnson had already been fined for tampering after making comments about Paul George coming to the Lakers a couple of years back.

Johnson said the situation with Simmons "hurt him" and that he'd love to mentor athletes because he was a "big brother type".

“I had more fun when I was able to be the big brother and ambassador to everybody,” Johnson said.

“When Ben Simmons called, and we went through the proper channels, and they made me look like the bad guy out of that situation, but I didn’t do anything wrong, but do everything right. I was thinking about all those times — all the guys who want me to mentor them and be a part of their lives — and I can’t even do that.

“I had more fun on the other side, than on this side.”

“I love working with guys, so now this summer, I get to work with Ben Simmons with no strings and no handcuffs on me, if he wants me to work with him,” Johnson said. “I like that role better. "

Earlier Johnson said he found it difficult to break the news to Lakers' owner Jeanie Buss, that's why he decided to make the announcement through the media instead.

"I couldn't face [Buss] to tell her," Johnson admitted, referring to Buss as "his sister".

Despite leaving the franchise, Johnson said that the Lakers are already "headed in the right direction." 

"Next year we're going to be good. If we get one of these [free agents], we're going to be really good.

"I'm good with where I am," Johnson told reporters.

"I'm happy. I want to do the things I used to do. I had to weigh both situations and this is better for me."

Johnson was seen as a key component in luring LeBron James to the Lakers but has been scrutinised for some of the decisions the front office made personnel wise in the lead up to this season.

Pundits and fans were critical of the players they signed to put around LeBron, with Johnson and new general manager Rob Pelinka copping heat for their inability to land Anthony Davis at the trade deadline.