Magic Johnson on Tuesday announced his resignation from his role as president of basketball operations in the Los Angeles Lakers, ahead of the final game of the NBA season.

Johnson said in a press conference that he was stepping down in order to preserve his friendship with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, adding that the responsibilities of his job have burdened him.

"I had more fun when I was able to be the big brother and the ambassador to everybody. I had more fun on the other side than on this side."

"Even though Buss said 'You do what you want to do.' I want to go back to having fun. I want to go back to who I was before taking on this job."

"It's the right thing to do, the right move to make," Johnson said.

The former basketball star also said that he didn't like "the back-stabbing and the whispering" that had targeted him throughout the season.

"I hope that after that, the Lakers can head in the right direction."

"We're halfway there with LeBron coming," he said. "I think this summer we've got other stars coming in. This team is going to be in (a) position to contend for championships."

"There is no greater Los Angeles Laker than Earvin Johnson," the Lakers team said in a brief statement. "We are deeply grateful to Magic for all that he has done for our franchise, as a player, an ambassador and an executive."