Magic Johnson, Lakers Pay Tribute to Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor: 'A True Class Act and Great Man'

Following news of Baylor's death, members of the NBA community—both past and present—paid tribute to the Lakers star.

Lakers legend Elgin Baylor died Monday at the age of 86, the team announced. 

Baylor, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977, died of natural causes. 

Baylor was drafted by the Lakers in 1958 and played 14 seasons with the franchise. He was an 11-time All-Star and was selected to the All-NBA first-team 10 times. The Lakers retired his No. 22 jersey in 1983 and in 2018 unveiled a statue depicting Baylor outside the Staples Center.

Following news of Baylor's death, various members of the NBA community—both past and present—paid tribute to the Lakers' star. 

RIP to the NBA’s first high flyer, Lakers Legend, & Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor. Before there was Michael Jordan doing amazing things in the air, there was Elgin Baylor! A true class act and great man, I’ll always appreciate the advice he shared with me when I first came into the pic.twitter.com/khPRc73gqW

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 22, 2021

league. Cookie and I are praying for his wife Elaine, kids, and the entire Baylor family. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/cRuOdwkaxI

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 22, 2021

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace, legend 🙏

— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) March 22, 2021

Rest In Peace to one of the best people ever! Lucky enough to meet him with my time here in La and he was a great guy!🐐 https://t.co/nDFlfIiaZs

— kuz (@kylekuzma) March 22, 2021

I am saddened by the passing of my boyhood idol @Hoophall @theelginbaylor He was the first player I watched as a kid to captivate fans with his athleticism and style of play. My prayers go out to his wife and family @NBAonTNT @NBA @NBATV @ESPNNBA @NBAcom

— Rick Barry (@Rick24Barry) March 22, 2021

Rip to the legend Elgin Baylor! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) March 22, 2021

Rest In Peace #ElginBaylor 🙏🏿👑 pic.twitter.com/vEgzFIZ9Vz

— Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) March 22, 2021

RIP to the Legend Elgin Baylor 🙌🏾🙏🏾.

— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) March 22, 2021

Elgin Baylor boycotted a Lakers exhibition game in 1959 in West Virginia when he wasn't allowed to stay at the first hotel & be served at a restaurant.
Made real change. 🙏Elgin. RIP pic.twitter.com/o685sj1fsX

— Mo Bamba (@TheRealMoBamba) March 22, 2021

Our game lost a pillar today. Rest in Power to the great Elgin Baylor 🙏🏾

— Chris Paul (@CP3) March 22, 2021

A statement from Jerry West on the passing of Elgin Baylor. pic.twitter.com/JTczP8ia5I

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) March 22, 2021