Rob Pelinka is a divisive figure for Los Angeles Lakers fans. For those advocating in favor of continuing his future with the Lakers once Mark Walter's ownership group steps in, adding some additional voices to the front office should allow Pelinka the added help needed in Los Angeles.
That was a suggestion brought forth by Jovan Buha on a recent episode of Buha's Block in response to a question about upgrades the new regime can make once the sale of the Lakers is complete. The Lakers reporter thought having some contrasting viewpoints could prove beneficial.
"Adding another voice or two below Pelinka that he likes and that he trusts, but also has a say and maybe has a differing basketball opinion or viewpoint," Buha said regarding what would help the front office.
Buha thought more voices that would offer the opportunity to break the pattern of the Lakers being insular, and that was something the franchise could not ignore. That shift had begun with JJ Redick, and it needs to keep going.
Lakers' road to being juggernauts under Mark Walter is evident
Many in Los Angeles have already begun to dream of Sam Presti as the executive that comes in and saves the day for the Lakers when Walter's group take the reins of the franchise. There are certainly far more ludicrous dreams out there, but it is important to have a fallback more grounded in reality.
If Presti does not answer the cries of Lakers fans, and instead chooses to remain with the well-run machine he built in the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pelinka will likely be afforded his opportunity to prove himself to Walter. Doing little things like adding the support mentioned by Buha would go a long way.
Pelinka has offered a mixed big during his time as Lakers general manager. His good is usually really good. His bad can be downright hideous. Perhaps the contrasting viewpoints suggested earlier would serve to save Pelinka from himself at times.
It should not be difficult to make the Lakers, of all franchises, a model of consistent and sustainable success. It has been done before, and quite frankly, that should play in their favor.
Buha also brought up how much weight the allure and the branding of the Lakers should carry. The recent front office management has dampened that a touch. The podcast host pointed to the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and even the Los Angeles Clippers, as franchise models to emulate.
If the Lakers had their level of well-run competence and consistency, Buha thought the Lakers would be a 'juggernaut hiding in plain sight.' It is difficult to disagree with that assessment.