NBA commissioner Adam Silver echoed the sentiments of Lakers fans, telling Ramona Shelburne of ESPN that he is “pleased that this matter [Buss family struggle for ownership] has been resolved.” Earlier today, Jeanie Buss and her brothers, Jim and Johnny, agreed that Jeanie would serve as controlling owner, and on the team’s board of directors as long as the family owns the franchise.
Silver continued, lauding Jeanie as a logical choice to lead the team.
“Jeanie is as knowledgeable and experienced as any owner in sports and the Lakers are in great hands,” said Silver (Twitter link).
More from the Lakers…
- Bill Plaschke of the L.A. Times discussed the Lakers’ strategy now that Jeanie Buss has been confirmed as the team’s head of operations. “This is also where Jeanie Buss will first show her basketball grit,” Plaschke writes. “Is she willing to sign off on the trading of some of the recent high draft picks who everyone thought would be saviors? It’s clear that D’Angelo Russell would be better off elsewhere, and Julius Randle may have more value in a trade, and maybe even Brandon Ingram should not be safe.” Plaschke also wonders if Jeanie would pass on Lonzo Ball in the draft; an “obvious and popular choice,” in favor of Josh Jackson, Markelle Fultz, or De’Aaron Fox.
- Mark Heisler of the O.C. Register reflected on Shaquille O’Neal’s legacy- Shaq’s statue was unveiled last week- before musing on the Lakers’ future. While Magic Johnson seems to think highly of Lonzo Ball- attending his Sweet 16 loss over Shaq’s ceremony- Heisler wonders if Ball’s stock has been diminished in the tournament. Josh Jackson of Kansas, Heisler writes, may have become the consensus No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft with his March Madness performance. “Ball is hard to project, even aside from his defense, which everyone knows is a problem,” Heisler writes. “Gifted young playmaker that he is, a UCLA insider told me he had been trying to figure out how much of what made him great at that level would apply in the pros.”
If we get the number 1 pick, draft Fultz, #2, draft Ball, #3 I would try trading it for a star in a package or trade down hoping a team would take on deng or mozgovs contract to move up. Our lineup in the future could be Ball-Russell-Ingram-Randle-Zubac with clarkson, Nance, and others off the bench
Clarkson works really well off the bench. That’s a seven man lineup that can be devastating in 2 years
If Lakers get #1 or 2 it should not matter take Ball and let him QB your team for 12 years. Put shooters and athletic big men around him and watch what happens. He has won at every level and the NBA should be no different if the hapless Lakers can add the right mix of 26-28 year old, quality free agents (they need a long wing player that can shoot and an athletic strong Center that can defend). Russell is a two guard plain and simple and he would average 20+ with Ball. Ingram is a natural three or stretch 4 but the Lakers need much better versions of Luol Deng and Mosgov to really get to 50 wins. Those two are pure backups making starter money.
it’s clear D’angelo better off elsewhere??? dudes dropping 20 a night playing at the 2. Julius can put up 17 and 10 averages if he can get better in his shot. Ingram hasn’t even scratched the surface. We have enough $ for a Max this year if we can’t land it use $ in 1 year deal or don’t use it. If Paul George is saying championship in Indy immediately or LA here I come just wait for him. Hopefully we get our pick this year and add to the youth movement. I don’t want to sacrifice a chance at winning for a decade to quick fix and be good for 3 years. It sucks waiting but trading off the youth at this point is knee jerk reaction. If we were to draft ball or fultz and then Indy desperate to get anything for pg13 takes D’angelo with a pick or something like that then so be it pull that trigger
Mason said trade the #2 pick and Russel to Indy for Paul George. Agreed
The Lakers need way more than Paul George to contend for a championship, and that’s all I really care about.