Ask Mr. Rambis

@Mr. Rambis during Magic's interview today, the topic of buying the team came up. As did AEG right of first refusal. Magic says he has a good relationship with AEG. can you provide any insight into the strength or anything pertaining to their relationship. Does he or Kobe have a better working relationship with AEG?

Both are likely to be interested in purchasing the team given the opportunity, so I was just curious as to who could form the better pairing with AEG.

 

Yes, I’ve heard it’s possible to light raw sewage water on fire.

 

i concur, I've seen fire's in ninja turtle movies in their sewer dwelling

 

I think major rivers have had it happen too. I don’t recommend fishing in such rivers.

—Free Agent Representatives (Probably)

 

Pissed you off too huh?

 

I always thought lighting farts on fire was a big lie or joke until I saw it done while a 22 year old in Sun Valley Idaho on a ski trip.

 

Hi @JSM !

Loaded question! AEG sometimes works with Magic's businesses but I wouldn't say the guys I work with are "close" with Magic. It was always business. Things are strained though after they helped force him out of the Lakers front office, so I guess Kobe would have a better working relationship right now, just for that reason! Kobe (and his brand, businesses, etc) is more valuable dollars wise in LA today, so if they had to pick, I'm assuming they would want to back Kobe. But this isn't a Kobe vs. Magic situation. It's more Magic vs. the Lakers.

As far as I know, the team isn't up for sale. And Jeanie isn't even considering it. As an asset the team is extremely valuable and the height of valuation is only projected to increase over the next 5-10 years. As more teams are sold for more money, and the Lakers make strong business deals, what is now maybe a $5BB franchise could become $10-15BB by 2025. You saw what happened to valuations after Balmer bought the Clippers. Imagine the bidding war for arguably the most valuable franchise.

 

Hey @lakerjones !

Great question! I don't think it will come out, AEG did a pretty good job of using dirty tricks to get rid of it. Of course I'll never say "never" since there are loose ends they may not know about. But most likely, you won't ever read it. It's a case of "mutually assured destruction." It would be bad for the Lakers, Magic, AEG, etc if that came out. So all parties are incentivized to pretend like it never existed.

 

In the words of the wise one with the unibrow Anthony Davis, "That's all folks!" (for today, anyways). I have to run but I'll check back in with you all as soon as I can. If I didn't get to your questions, just ping me again.

Warm Regards,
Mr. Rambis

 

@Mr. Rambis

Totally unrelated to the magic stuff, but I am curious about your comment on most younger players’ drug use. Are we talking mostly marijuana or commonly harder drugs?

 

Hi @lakerjones !

You pretty much nailed it. Similar to how the Mavericks management came under fire when lots of harassment was reported as happening under Cuban's watch, the Lakers were very liable with all the potential negative publicity.

They'll figure out a way to deal with what Magic pulled, I'm sure. To me and to them, it just seems like he had a salty taste in his mouth after someone of his stature was forced to leave in the manner that he did. For now, seems as though they're just taking the high road, and I personally like that approach.

 

Hey @Punk-101 !

Unfortunately, I don't have details for you on this one. It's pretty out of my scope or AEG's scope with regards to what young players do in their free times, for the most part anyways. From what I know, many of them enjoy the Hollywood scene and partake in that lifestyle, especially when they gave up a few years of college to turn pro early. Usually, with millions on the line, most are smart enough to not let it affect their careers. But some, sadly (e.g. Lamar) get carried away.

 

Good. Don’t see how it would do anything other than make things worse.

 

Mr. Rambis,

Based on the sentiment of your contacts at AEG, who do the people at AEG feel the Lakers have the best shot of signing as a free agent this summer?

 

They’re just hoping to nenew the contract of Linda Rambis tbh

 

First laugh I've had all day! Thanks @RonStu !

 

Hey @SmoothOperator !

If you were to have asked me this a few days ago, I would've said Kawhi. I haven't gotten an update after his camp raised concerns about the Lakers FO, so not sure how confident they are in management anymore. AEG and the Lakers may have quelled them well, or may have left them with more uncertainty. I'll let you know as soon as I hear more on that front.

 

i don't know if this is optimism or pessimism, actually, but if kawhi's people reached out to figure out what was going on here, i almost take it as a good sign--in that they must be considering strongly to even give a s*** about what's happening in the front office.