As long as Jeanie Buss stays put, Rob Pelinka does too. That was the general sentiment that came with last week's stunning news of the Los Angeles Lakers being sold yet again. It turns out that Buss may not staying put, though. The latest development involves Bob Iger and Josh Kushner making a loud claim regarding who is going to be steering the ship from here.
Shams Charania reported: "Breaking: The Buss family has decided to sell its remaining 17.8% ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to new majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, sources tell ESPN. "
There have been multiple reports since that Jeanie and her lawyer are contesting the validity of the sale. It remains to be seen if that will have any legitimate effect. In the meantime, let us operate under the current assumption this thing goes through.
In that case, this means the Buss family will no longer hold the necessary percentage of ownership needed to keep Jeanie as the Lakers governor. That does not necessarily mean Pelinka is on his way out (yet). However, it does make it far more likely for events to play out that way.
Rob Pelinka's job security takes massive hit from Jeanie Buss potentially moving on
Pelinka's walking papers are not being printed as we speak (type). However, they are far closer to hitting his desk now than they would have otherwise been with Buss still in charge as governor.
Jeanie helped Rob climb up the ranks in Los Angeles. From general manager to president of basketball operations, Pelinka's rise has been orchestrated by Buss. That key supporter and decision-maker could now be gone from the Lakers franchise.
That essentially gives Pelinka an immediate window to make a strong impression.
He was the architect behind the offseason retool around Luka Doncic. If it works immediately, that should put Pelinka in good standing. If it does not, the major person that could have protected him from being let go may not be around to save him.
It is especially worth noting just how quickly that can come, given how Iger and Kushner have operated since news of the coming sale broke. The new owners said they would keep Buss around as governor. They proceeded to buy the family out.
That is not a firing. However, it might as well be the polite way of doing just that. Jeanie and her family just got a sizable severance in the form of being bought out instead.
With Pelinka, it can be a lot simpler. Should Iger and Kushner feel the need, it probably will be.
No one pays $12.5 billion to just sit on their hands and keep with the status quo. Pelinka earned a major spot within the Lakers organization in Buss' eyes. He will need to do so with a new group of owners, or face the swift consequences.
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