Magic Johnson raised serious doubts as to whether Jim Buss can turn around the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Jim is trying to do it himself and trying to prove to everybody that this was the right decision that [his] dad gave [him] the reins," Johnson said Tuesday on ESPN's "First Take." "He's not consulting anybody that can help him achieve his goals and dreams to win an NBA championship."

Buss became the Lakers' top decision-maker on basketball issues after Jerry Buss passed away two years ago.

Johnson believes Buss should give general manager Mitch Kupchak more control.

"If Jim would say, 'OK, Mitch. You run the show,' I think it would be a lot better for the Lakers, too. Mitch Kupchak knows what he's doing. He's great. He's smart. He's hard-working. He's at every practice. I think the fans would feel good [if he ran the team] as well," Johnson said.

In another interview, Johnson again questioned Buss, although this time he did so while referencing Kobe Bryant.

"And I really believe this: [Kobe] should ... say to Jim and them, 'Look, if you don't sign one of these free agents [this offseason], man, I'm just not going to play next year,'" Johnson said.

Bryant's contract expires after the 2015-16 season.

Smith then asked Johnson whether he would advise Bryant to retire if the Lakers don't acquire a marquee free agent in the summer of 2015.

"You almost gotta say that because if you come back with the same level of talent, you're just going to have the same results," Johnson said. "You know, so, look, Kobe, put pressure on Jim to say, 'Look, man, you've got to bring me some talent, some help, so that this can be a great season for the Lakers and a great season for me, being my last season, and then I can retire.'"