Rick Fox says Magic Johnson's decision to leave the Lakers was a complete shock -- but if the NBA legend was truly unhappy, stepping down was the right move.
"I just feel for Magic," Fox tells TMZ Sports ... "I saw the emotion and I saw the love he has for this organization and the difficulty that decision was for him."
"We all care about him and we all care about the organization."
Fox says Lakers fans should keep their head's up -- saying, "Things always get worse before they get better.