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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DALLAS, TX – MAY 08: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play against the Dallas Mavericks during game Four of the Western Conference Semi-Finals on May 8, 2011 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MAY 08: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play against the Dallas Mavericks during game Four of the Western Conference Semi-Finals on May 8, 2011 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Background Players

There’s a scene at the end of the otherwise forgettable Incredible Hulk, where Edward Norton sits cross-legged in a cabin in Montana as he meditates. The camera slow zooms on his closed lids until they suddenly open and he reveals a sinister grin.

The Hulk is back.

Now picture that but replace Edward Norton with Phil Jackson. As flames engulf the Lakers power structure, Jackson is among the outside players who could be leaned on to fix things. Jeanie Buss hasn’t lost total control of the situation, but calling in her last line of defense might end up being needed if things get too crazy.

Key phrase: Last Line.

There’s a lot that needs to happen before Jeanie is phoning Phil asking him to awaken Zen Hulk. First and foremost, free agency is going to be a good litmus test on where this situation is headed.

Free Agents:

  • Jimmy Butler
  • Kawhi Leonard
  • Kyrie Irving
  • Anthony Davis (By trade)

The most likely free agent to land in Los Angeles is Jimmy Butler. Kawhi Leonard is also a candidate but he’ll be going to the Clippers if he leaves Toronto. After this run to the Eastern Conference Finals, it’s hard to say he’s as likely to bolt from The North as he was before.

Butler might not make things better. He’s nothing if not drama-filled, which is good for our entertainment value but bad for the Lakers calming the waters. Landing Butler might be more about not striking out on a top-tier superstar free agent than anything else, which even if it means saving face isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Next: Every NBA team's greatest playoff moment

Jerry West would get a phone call before Phil does. If Magic Johnson is the greatest Laker, Jerry West is the Lakers. Poaching him from the Clippers would be an added bonus, but also serves as a potential hangup.

To be clear, Phil Jackson is not coming back to the Lakers. But this is some Game of Thrones levels of political insanity, and such a thing might be the plot twist that makes this one of the greatest basketball stories ever told.

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