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Los Angeles Lakers: The problem? Too many cooks in the kitchen

By Jeremy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits to enter the game during a 123-120 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers waits to enter the game during a 123-120 win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on January 31, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have been run a bit like a circus over the last year, which directly has to do with too many people of significance calling the shots.

The Los Angeles Lakers have owner Jeanie Buss. They have her brothers Joey Buss (Director of Scouting) and Jesse Buss (South Bay Lakers). They have Chief Operating Officer Tim Harris. They also have Director of Special Projects Linda Rambis and Senior Advisor Kurt Rambis.

Not to mention LeBron James as well, essentially as the “sign-off” at the end of any decision.

If you were to get an interview with the Los Angeles Lakers, these are the six individuals that you would be meeting with. Most of them have no experience running basketball operations for an NBA team.

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It seems overwhelming to say the least. This situation proved to be difficult for the Lakers front office to ultimately make a decision on who they are going to hire as a head coach. Differing opinions on the direction of the franchise caused a “bumpy” head coaching search, to say the least.

The search was eerily similar to what was happening at UCLA. Both searches were messy and public. Tyronn Lue emerged as the leading candidate in late April/early May. This was in accordance with his relationship with LeBron.

Fair or not, he has been tabbed as the “LeBron coach.” The Lakers offered Lue a 3-year deal worth $18 million. According to sources, that offer was “insulting” to Lue as he wanted at least a 5-year deal for his championship pedigree. He did not want to be known as LeBron’s coach which is completely understandable.

Reportedly, Jeanie and Rob signed-off on hiring Lue in the early stages of interviews. The Rambis duo did not. This is where things got interesting. Who is the ultimate decision-maker in the Lakers front office right now? Who is the one that will paint the picture of the direction of the franchise to potential free agents? One would think it would be Jeanie Buss.

Without a President of Basketball Operations, the Lakers do not have anyone with experience handling basketball-related decisions as well as head coaching decisions. Typically, the owner is the one who makes the final decision on a coaching hire but it seemed as though Jeanie Buss deferred to the opinion of her close friends, Linda and Kurt.

This is how we ended up with Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd. Who knows, this might have been an excellent hire. Vogel is a solid NBA coach with experience of having top-rated defensive teams (specifically with Indiana).

However, the Lakers front office really liked Jason Kidd throughout the process. Why not make him the head coach? By announcing Kidd as Vogel’s “Lead Assistant,” the Lakers are essentially setting up Vogel to fail.

If things go bad for the Lakers, Jason Kidd will be in the wings. If Vogel is your guy, let him hire his own staff. Sure, the front office can have some input but head coaches deserve the right to pick their own assistants.

Furthermore, the Lakers are not going to be hiring a President of Basketball Operations. David Griffin was available. He is one of the top executives in the NBA yet the Lakers did not even talk to him. By not hiring a leader in basketball operations, I think this will hurt the Lakers down the road.

The Los Angeles Lakers front office needs someone that has experience dealing with basketball operations. It seems as though there are too many opinions and no clear direction for the franchise.

The Lakers have an enormous opportunity this offseason. Will the current Lakers front office manage to sign key free agents? What will they do with the number 4 pick in the draft?

dark. Next. Trading for Lowry would be atrocious

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