The Lakers have won 16 NBA championships, the second-most titles in league history behind only the rival Celtics (17). And yet, despite having the allure of Los Angeles, an all-time great player in LeBron James on their roster and a bigger money bin than Scrooge McDuck, the Lakers find themselves less known for their rings than for being a three-ring circus.
A disappointing regular season ended with the resignation of president Magic Johnson — who announced he was stepping down in a bizarre news conference prior to the Lakers' final game — and the firing of head coach Luke Walton. Instead of aggressively seeking a front-office replacement to start a coaching search (like, say, Warriors president Bob Myers), the current members of Los Angeles' organization have only grown more powerful, including general manager Rob Pelinka.
MORE: Magic's resignation leaves LeBron staring at dark Lakers future
Despite the dysfunction, the Lakers landed on James' former Cavs coach, Tyronn Lue. It was essentially a done deal — no other candidates left, no last-minute interviews, no reason to believe anything else would happen. But this is the Lakers we're talking about. Nothing is ever that simple.
Multiple reports emerged Wednesday night revealing Lue and the Lakers had reached an impasse with no contract in place. Then it really went south. Here's a breakdown of just how, exactly, Los Angeles missed out on landing Lue, extending what has already been an embarrassing coaching search.
— Shortly after the news of a stalemate, it became clear Lue would not be the next head coach of the Lakers. Did Lue decide to bow out, or did the Lakers move on? It depends on the person answering the question.
The Lakers have decided to move on from Ty Lue as they search for their next head coach, having determined he isn't the right long-term fit for the organization, according to a team source.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) May 8, 2019
Ty Lue and his representatives have informed the Lakers that he is moving on from trying to be hired as the Lakers' new coach, sources. Lue and his reps thanked the Lakers.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) May 8, 2019
— The main issue in negotiations was contract length. Lue reportedly wanted a five-year deal, but the Lakers stopped at three years for around $18 million. Lue believed his championship experience warranted a long-term commitment; Los Angeles' unwillingness to add the extra security may have rubbed Lue the wrong way.
One league source told Marc Stein of The New York Times the Lakers treated Lue "like a first-time coach." (Just to compare, Lue's last extension with the Cavs was for five years, and Walton's contract with the Lakers was also for five years. Monty Williams, another Lakers candidate, recently got five years from the Suns).
Negotiations really deteriorated w/ Ty Lue when the Lakers refused to offer more than a three year deal that was designed to line up with LeBron James’ contract. Lue felt insulted the Lakers only saw him as a coach for LeBron, sources close to the process told ESPN.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 9, 2019
One league source said it appeared that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka never expected negotiations could fall apart as they did because Lue didn’t have other offers. Lue was seeking a 5-year deal, believing his championship experience commanded it.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 9, 2019
MORE: LeBron disputes rift with Lakers front office
— Another factor in play: Lue didn't have much choice in his own staff. The Lakers pushed for Jason Kidd, who had interviewed for the job, as an assistant on Lue's bench. Former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel was also floated as a Lakers assistant. (Vogel will interview for the head position now that Lue is out).
David Blatt beat out Lue for the Cavs job in 2014, but Lue stayed with the team as Blatt's top assistant. Just a year later, Lue took over when Blatt was fired. He knows better than anyone how this game can work.
Still, Lue was willing to coordinate with the Lakers on his staff, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. That's how much he wanted to be the head coach of the Lakers — and that's how badly they bungled this whole thing.
Here’s @wojespn with what happened with Lue and the @Lakers pic.twitter.com/zSCKCr94Hr
— Stanford Steve (@StanfordSteve82) May 9, 2019
— With the coaching search extended, the Lakers are looking at a few retreads, including Vogel, Lionel Hollins and Mike Woodson, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. Los Angeles will also keep Kidd and Heat assistant Juwan Howard, who both completed interviews in April, on its board. What an inspiring list!
And if Lakers fans aren't mad enough, there's also the fact team advisor Kurt Rambis is playing a "major role" in the coaching search, according to Woj. Yes, this Kurt Rambis...
Kurt Rambis rolled up a 32-132 record in Minnesota, went 9-19 as an interim coach in New York, floated the "maybe Kristaps is a small forward?" test balloon, liked a porn tweet, deleted his account mid-denial that he liked the porn tweet ... and *has grown more powerful.*
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) May 8, 2019
Come one, come all! The circus is at Staples Center! Step right up and you might be the Lakers' next coach!
