Lakers Viewed as “Inept and Desperate”
Irwin’s piece detailed multiple factors behind why the Lakers were sleeping giants this summer. Among them, he highlighted issues with ownership and their reluctance to make drastic changes after the Russell Westbrook debacle.
“As an organization, it’s painfully aware that another misstep of that magnitude would absolutely close their title window. It would also force Jeanie Buss’ hand in making structural changes she absolutely does not want to make.
The result is a franchise paralyzed on every major decision.”
Such indecisiveness is not the only factor behind the Lakers’ stagnant offseason. Many fans point out an apparent “Lakers tax” that comes with every negotiation involving the purple and gold. Irwin confirmed that and more, stating they were hindered by “a league that feels it can take advantage of what it considers an inept and desperate organization,” and adding:
“…sources close to the Lakers and around the league feel the executives on the other side of negotiations inflated the asking price in the hopes of taking advantage of a front office that needs to do something.”
The latest example of those inflated negotiations came in trade talks for Jerami Grant, in which Rob Pelinka and Portland GM Joe Cronin initially agreed on a deal before Pelinka backed out at the last minute. An NBA scout told Irwin:
“Joe Cronin asking for two first-rounders for Jerami Grant is hilarious. Portland traded one first for him and then gave him that terrible contract. Why would he be more valuable now than he was when they landed him two years ago? But it’s what you can do when you feel like the other team is desperate.”
Do the Rumors Hold Weight?
Based on the Lakers’ lack of decision-making and this newfound reporting, fans may have a concrete answer as to why the team hasn’t landed anybody new. The Lakers’ previous trade targets—for example, Dejounte Murray, Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan—were all moved for what seems like pennies on the dollar this summer. If the Lakers had managed to get serious in those talks, rival execs would have likely asked for the whole farm and then some. The team would have sacrificed depth for a shot at contention—again—without certainty that the risk would be worth it.
Lakers Lack of Help Coincides with Davis Interview
This news coincides with an interview Anthony Davis did with Andscape’s Marc Spears during the Olympics, in which he revealed how he’s adapted while playing with Team USA:
“When you have an unselfish mindset like I do where I don’t have to score — I’m a two-way player, so I don’t have to score every time down the floor or try to score the basketball. I can let these guys do what they do best, and I can defer to the defensive end and block shots.”
That mindset is exactly why Davis has been able to make an impact no matter what position he’s in with Team USA, where he’s averaged 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game so far. But the second part should ring alarm bells in the minds of Lakers fans. Throughout the 76 games he played this season—and really, throughout his tenure as a Laker—Davis has had to be Superman, or, at the very least, alternate with LeBron James in the roles of Batman and Robin. Davis continues to dominate with team USA, all without exerting as much energy compared to his workload in an NBA season.
So, what does that mean for the Lakers? That Davis and James still need help. Everyone seems to notice that—except for the people tasked with improving the roster. Yes, hardships arise on any team’s journey to a title, particularly in the offseason. But, when those challenges lead to a revolving door of early playoff exits, that’s when the team should turn words into actions.
