Many Lakers fans have been skeptical about executive vice president Jim Buss assuming a decision-making role in the organization previously held by his late father, Jerry Buss. But Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes that Jim had gained the trust of his father, and that the two men worked together in making decisions like the hiring of Mike D'Antoni, who they felt was a better fit than Phil Jackson. Shelburne's piece includes plenty of interesting tidbits and quotes from Buss, who adds that he'd be "all for it" if Jackson wanted to work with the Lakers on a consultant basis.
Here's more from around the Pacific Division:
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Bradford Doolittle proposes a few steps for rebuilding the Lakers, including re-signing Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol next summer, trading Steve Nash, and keeping their 2014 first-round pick.
- Sources indicate to Henry Abbott of ESPN.com that the Lakers could have trouble attracting impact free agents next summer, in part because it's not clear how much cap space the team will have, and in part because of Kobe's reputation as a difficult teammate.
- Yesterday, we heard that free agent swingman James Nunnally would work out for the Spurs and Jazz. Today, Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside adds a couple more teams to the mix, writing that Nunnally will also audition for the Suns, as well as the Pelicans, in the hopes of earning a camp invite.
- Without the petition signatures that Chris Hansen's money was able to buy, there's not much momentum left for the anti-arena effort in Sacramento, according to Marcos Breton of the Sacramento Bee.