The Los Angeles Lakers have made themselves look silly with the poor handling of the Tyronn Lue situation.
Just when you think that the Los Angeles Lakers front office and ownership were moving in the right direction when they were working towards a deal with former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach, Tyronn Lue, mistakes strike again. Now, the Lakers somehow managed to mess up a home run hire.
Brad Turner and Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times had conflicting reports regarding who left who are the alter.
Ty Lue and his representatives have informed the Lakers that he is moving on from trying to be hired as the Lakers' new coach, sources. Lue and his reps thanked the Lakers.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) May 8, 2019
The Lakers have decided to move on from Ty Lue as they search for their next head coach, having determined he isn't the right long-term fit for the organization, according to a team source.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) May 8, 2019
All that can be said right now is what is going on with this Lakers front office? The main sticking point according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times seemingly being that Ty Lue wanted a 5-year deal, while the Lakers were only willing to offer him a 3-year contract, which is in line with LeBron’s contract.
It has also been noted by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that the Lakers were keen for former Bucks coach Jason Kidd to join Lue’s staff as an assistant, who impressed front office members in his head coaching interview. His ability to develop young players seemed to be a selling point for Kidd, this goes against common sense as Giannis Antetokounmpo made his big leap the season after Kidd was fired from the Bucks.
Lue and his representatives declined the Lakers offer of 3-years, $18 million. Lue was seeking five years. per source.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) May 8, 2019
Discussions have included talks on contract and assistant coaching staff, sources said. Among Lakers hopes on a Lue staff: Jason Kidd. He made a strong impression with management in his head coaching interview and had a productive history w/ Bucks developing young talent. https://t.co/uQxTjqWAm7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 8, 2019
With Ty Lue now out of of the running, the Lakers are left to scramble for a head coach ahead of the fast approaching offseason. With Jason Kidd and Juwan Howard having previously interviewed for the head coaching position, it is unknown at this time whether they are now the favorites to land the job or whether the Lakers will interview more people for the head coaching job. The biggest takeaway from this enormous set back is how incompetent the Los Angeles Lakers front office has shown themselves to be league wide.
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The Lakers had painted this picture in free agency last year. For starters, they added LeBron James, the best player in the world to their roster, they had ample cap space to add a second star and they mess that up. Not to worry though, they still had cap space to add quality rotation pieces and starters to the Lakers roster, right? They can re-sign restricted free agent Julius Randle and veteran big man Brook Lopez, who were perfect fits for a LeBron James run system, right? What could possibly go wrong?
Oh just about everything you can think of, the Lakers allow Brook Lopez to walk and he joins the Bucks. The Lakers poison their relationship with Julius Randle and his agent Aaron Mintz during the D’Angelo Russell trade and refusing to give up assets for Paul George. Then they try and reinvent the wheel going against common sense. LeBron James led teams had succeeded when James was surrounded by shooters, Pelinka and Co. decided that they wanted to go with a rough and tough team full of ball handlers. Adding the likes of Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson.
Then for the main course, not resting on their laurels the Lakers decide to make offers for Anthony Davis after it leaks that he is looking to leave the New Orleans Pelicans. Instead of keeping this quiet the Lakers leak that they are offering every player not named LeBron James for Davis, that couldn’t possibly destroy team chemistry instantly…. Then comes the mid-season trade of Ivica Zubac to the city rival Los Angeles Clippers for a one dimensional journeyman in Mike Muscala with members of the Clippers front office smiling from ear to ear.
Then for dessert, Magic Johnson steps down as President of Basketball Operations before the last game of the season, without informing Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, without speaking to General Manager Rob Pelinka and without talking to LeBron James. Now this debacle. The Lakers have finally taken the title for the most incompetent franchise in the NBA. The New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns held the title for a number of years but through sheer perseverance and lack of awareness, the Lakers have finally reached the incompetence promise land,
With news coming out by the minute, it looks like another awful hire seems to be doing his part in destroying the Lakers with Kurt Rambis playing a large role in the head coaching search according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Not what the Lakers fans were looking for, feels more like a laxative.
With the nightmare not seeming like its going to end, what is going to happen to the Purple and Gold? At this moment in time God only knows, but one thing is for certain, I don’t think the Lakers walk away from this latest debacle intact, whether that is a front office member stepping down or LeBron James looking to leave. The next couple of days could be pivotal for the Los Angeles Lakers.