On Tuesday, we asked which NBA head coaching vacancy looks like the most appealing, and so far, the Lakers are the pick. Despite all the drama in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ basketball situation still appears to be more favorable than that of the Grizzlies or Cavaliers.
The Lakers are also one of four teams with an opening at the top of their front office. In the wake of Magic Johnson‘s resignation, general manager Rob Pelinka is running the show in L.A., but there’s an expectation that the team will eventually hire someone to join him at the top of that hierarchy. It remains to be seen whether that means hiring a new president of basketball operations or perhaps promoting Pelinka and hiring someone underneath him.
Either way, a high-ranking job in the Lakers’ front office would be an intriguing one. Despite the team’s struggles in 2018/19, L.A. still has one of the NBA’s all-time greatest players (LeBron James) under contract for at least two more seasons and has the cap flexibility to pursue another star this summer. Some of the Lakers’ young players, such as Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, saw their value dip a little in recent months for health-related reasons, but there’s still a solid core of young players on the roster who could be dangled in trade talks or who could be contributors on the Lakers’ next playoff team.
The Grizzlies are another team in the market for a high-ranking basketball executive, though as in the case of the Lakers, it’s not clear exactly what that exec’s role would be. After demoting Chris Wallace, the Grizzlies announced that president of business operations Jason Wexler would oversee basketball operations too, with Zach Kleiman elevated to executive VP of basketball operations.
Neither Wexler nor Kleiman – who has a law background – is a true basketball executive, however. Presumably, the club will target a candidate with more of a background in player evaluation, scouting, and personnel decisions to join them in a key front office role. And that role could be an interesting one — Jaren Jackson looks like a keeper, and Mike Conley is a borderline All-Star who could be retained or traded. Owing a first-round pick to the Celtics is a nuisance, but once that pick is conveyed, Memphis would be in position to launch a full-fledged rebuild, allowing a new exec to help put his stamp on the team.
The Wizards‘ and Timberwolves‘ searches for new additions to their respective front offices appear more straightforward. Washington is seeking a replacement for Ernie Grunfeld, the team’s top decision-maker for years, and Minnesota publicly announced that it’s on the lookout for a new president of basketball operations.
In some ways, the Wizards’ and Timberwolves’ situations are similar. Each team has one overpriced long-term contract that may be a cap burden going forward – John Wall in Washington and Andrew Wiggins in Minnesota – but the presence of an All-Star (Karl-Anthony Towns and Bradley Beal) at least gives each franchise some hope.
Having players like Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and Josh Okogie locked up in Minnesota may appeal to front office candidates. Of course, in D.C., only Wall, Beal, and Troy Brown are under contract beyond the 2019/20 season, which might be intriguing to a candidate looking for a bit more of a clean slate. Plus, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis probably has a better league-wide reputation than Glen Taylor, who has been known to get involved in the Wolves’ basketball decisions.
What do you think? Assuming the roles are relatively similar, and taking into account rosters, assets, and ownership situations, which of these four front office positions looks the most appealing to you?
Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to weigh in!
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I’m gonna stay away from LA because there’s too much drama there haha. When it comes to the other three teams, I would think that Minnesota would be most appealing. KAT is the best player on any of those three teams and you also have a team that can contend for the playoffs if they are coached well.
lol KAT better than LeBron yeah right. Not taking anything from KAT but not best player out all three team.
Someone can’t read
Yeah, it’s a big ask to be the ringmaster of the [excrement] show in LA.
That was similar to my thought process (I also voted Minnesota). The Lakers, IMO, will have only two levels of judgement: Outstanding (won a championship) or Failure (obviously, didn’t win a championship). There doesn’t seem to be much room for “got better, lots of hope for the future,” and at least to me, that would make it less appealing.
Then again, I’ll guess (though I honestly don’t know) that the LA job(s) will pay the most…
Well put… Since the 10 million dollar man left, one would think the Lakers have a big budget for a new coach. But so far, no big (expensive) names have been brought in for either GM or HC.
Stan Van Gundy as Coach/GM. Jason Kidd as Coach/GM. Derek Fisher as Coach/GM. Ty Lue as LeBron’s personal assistant. I go with Bron and Lue. The King bout to make folks bow down. Gots to trade #11, BI and Lonzo (and s&t KCP if need to) for Beal. Sign Kemba and Boogie.
Kemba
Beal
James
Kuzma
Cousins
Bench: Caruso, Hart, Wagner, Bonga, Bullock
I don’t think the most appealing would be who has the stars. Sure, it helps, but any GM prospect who is afraid of Lakers situation shouldn’t be applying. That has to be the most coveted job because of history, money and if you turn it around, you are bigger than life! You are…..the man!
I think they’d just be a little leery of how much pull LeBron would have over their decision making… if they make moves he doesn’t like, what would happen?
Sorry. I said GM and I meant President