Jim and Mitch out in LA, Phil likely in?

I agree with you that some changes are definitely needed. No question. But to Mitch's defense, I think he's made quite a few good moves in his career. For instance:

-The Gasol trade: you touched on this one. Goes beyond saying one of the best moves the Lakers have made in their history.

-Trevor Ariza: Absolutely amazing deal when you consider Trevor's role in 2009, and that Mitch got him for Brian Cook.

-CP3 Deal: Still deserves credit for this deal despite the league screwing us royally. I attribute this debacle to Mitch's difficulties these past few years more than Kobe's decline, because of the countless ripple effects it caused in future dealings

-Jordan Hill: Solid and productive piece for an aging D-Fish

-D12: We hate how this deal turned out because Dwight ended up bolting. But don't forget, we gave up Bynum for him, who literally fell off the planet after the trade.

While Mitch hasn't been perfect by any means (The Nash deal, etc.), his draft picks have mostly panned out well for us, and he's pulled off decent deals when given the chance IMO.

 

Wow. Just seeing this thread and first comments. Unfortunate collateral damage as well that we could not afford, or should not let happen, is losing Ryan West. I'd expect there is no love in the West family for Phil after the way Jerry was treated once Phil came to town. That would not be good to lose another West and an up and coming executive that grew up in the Lakers family.

 

I think Mitch has done well with the picks and trades but the area I personally haven't seen any thing from him is as a big name FA recruiter. And that is something we need this summer. When has he proved it? Payton and Malone planned to come over on their own, Mitch said as much. Ron Artest came over on his own after telling Kobe he wanted to. Dwight was a trade and Mitch could not close him to stay and required a lot of help in his meeting with Dwight. That turned out ok for us but point is I don't think he puts on a good show for FAs @ meetings. In interviews he's dead and lifeless. Opposite of Jerry West who could convey that Fatherly presence. Just hasn't closed any big names, not Carmelo either. Steve Nash would be the only guy who was a big name player that came in on Mitch's watch but he was also a trade, and LA's circumstances worked for him. He was also old and a bust for us. Also Jim Buss claims it was his persistent bugging of Mitch about Nash that got him to call (Mitch didn't think he was available to us). Years ago I remember a blurb in the media from an agent saying he made it seem like players were lucky to come here and play for this organization. This was when we were also struggling before Pao.

We have to hope Durant's agent pushes him toward our big market because I don't see our FO closing anyone. I like Mitch but I do believe we are hurting in this area.

 

^Agreed. Keep Mitch around..he's proven to be a really good GM. People forget a lot of 'experts' had us as pre-season favorites after the Howard and Nash trades.

 

How about this pipe Phil comes back stays in the FO affairs, leaves player personnel to Mitch and Ryan, lures Luke back to the Lakers with the promise he can run Golden State's offense or the Triangle .... whichever best fits Russell and Clarkson and Randle and Nance and Black and build from there? Cough cough hack!! Here take it.

 

Donnie walsh did a better job remaking the knicks in the same period of time phil has had, imo. not sure what's to love about the knicks right now, and I'm not sure that firing Derek fisher will make me see it.

people clown the lakers for not signing guys, but the knicks don't even get considered.

 

Yes to Jim getting the boot. But Ryan West needs a promotion but I also want to keep Mitch. Not so sure how I feel with Phil leading basketball decisions. He's a very knowledgeable man and holds a lot of respect with players but he's also very stubborn.

 

How has nobody said anything about the latest news?

Woj AND Isola now reporting that Phil could be headed back to LA....wow.

 

Phil is stuck in the past so no thanks .

We don't need washed up names to run the organization but competent people who know about TODAY's game .

 

I'd much rather have Mitch be promoted to Jim's spot and Ryan West promoted to GM. That way you have two TRUE basketball minds making the decisions. Why do we even need Phil?

Seriously... if this turns out to be true, I really feel bad for Mitch. He's collateral damage. Any other team in the league will want to have him as GM.

 

Interesting. Wondering who Stephen A's source is. Magic?

 

I like Mitch and think he is underrated. But I'm not too upset with the thought of us cleaning house and starting fresh with a new group of hungry up and comers.

 

Replacing Jim Buss with Phil is pretty much a lateral move.

He has more respect from players then Jim, because he's arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, but that's pretty much where the pros stop at. Clearly his coaching career has yet to translate into anything meaningful in his career as an executive in charge of basketball operations.

That and the fact that I absolutely hate the idea of a return to the triangle offense.

I realize the irony in that statement, given how we've won 5 our last championships on that exact system, but it just doesn't jive with how the NBA is today and how players want to play. Plus, like what someone else already said, in order to win with the triangle, we need established and proven talent like NOW.

It's better that we move away from the past and this old school mentality that's hurting us right now