Fansided

Lakers Power Structure: Amid chaos, dysfunction, who runs Showtime?

By Josh Hill and Jason Cole

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 5: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 5, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 5: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle up prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 5, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As the Lakers regroup from the Magic Johnson takedown, who is actually going to be making decisions? A look at the hierarchy.

The Los Angeles Lakers, owner Jeanie Buss and General Manager-for-now Rob Pelinka face a daunting question in the aftermath of Magic Johnson pulling one of the great power plays in NBA history.

Can they be trusted?

That was already an issue when the Lakers failed to hire Ty Lue as head coach over a disagreement about contract length and control of the coaching staff. But that move was akin to using a flashlight in the house during a power outage.

Magic just pointed a movie spotlight at the Lakers.

Under that brightness, Buss is no longer the powerful heir to her father’s throne, the woman who fought off a coup by her brothers to maintain control of one of the greatest franchises in American sports history. Similarly, Pelinka isn’t some genius agent making the transition to management.

They are, instead, frail characters in the sports business, where weakness is exposed and savaged. With the Lakers facing a critical offseason to determine if they should keep LeBron James or not, what Magic did was like some ruthless, cold-blooded move out of Game of Thrones. On the morning before the Lakers were to announce new coach Frank Vogel (himself a powerless creature of mere desperation), Magic was a dragon laying waste to the entire group.

Fans may not see it that way, but players will. Any prominent player even thinking about joining the Lakers at this point has to be asking a series of questions starting with the simplest query.

What’s up with this squad?

Here’s a look at the power structure of the wounded Lakers.

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