Many are saying ‘no’ to the Lakers

Undoubtedly, the LA Lakers are a marquee franchise boasting of 17 league championships and 64 post season appearances.  Through the years, their ranks have produced several of the game’s greatest to have worn purple and gold.  The franchise is the most sought-after location for people who wanted to be identified with the Lakers.

That was then.  Today, the allure of the City of Angels is no more that star players and coaches have avoided the dazzle and bright lights of Los Angeles.

Team patriarch Jerry Buss ran the Lakers for more than 30 years and had ten league championships.  He died in 2013 and his son Jim Buss took over basketball operations.  Dysfunction set in almost immediately with the team missing the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

Jim was relieved of his duties along with long-time GM Mitch Kupchak in 2017 and were replaced by Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.  Magic left in 2019, publicly accusing Pelinka of backstabbing, who, up to this point, is (not backstabbing) running basketball operations.

After the 2020 championships and dismantling that title team including coach Frank Vogel, management have gotten a myopic view of things.  It’s beyond comprehension that in a span of five years, three coaching changes were made, taking into consideration the team’s performance within that period, including winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament last season.  Laker Nation can thank Pelinka for that.

The much-publicized pursuit of UConn coach Dan Hurley failed because reportedly of a lowball offer.   I will assume that Hurley had the class not to be dictated and disrespected by LAL’s super diva.  This holds true with other prospective coaches on their shortlist.   Untested JJ Reddick will officially call the shots for the Lakers, and I hope things turn our well in his first season.

LeBron would have a significant pay cut on the condition that the Lakers get either Klay Thompson, James Harden or Jonas Valanciunas.  They signed elsewhere so he got his 2-year, $101 million contract extension.

Buddy Hield and DeMar DeRozan were also on the Laker radar.  Hield signed with Golden State and somehow filled the vacuum left by Klay.  DeRozan formed a lethal quad squad in Sacramento with D’Aaron Fox. Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis.

Why are they saying no to the Lakers?  The only reason I can think of is that management is giving in to the demands of you-know-who that prospective players and coaches are avoiding to be in that environment.

Who knows, their 55th pick could be their savior.