By now it’s well known that the Los Angeles Lakers have completely shaken up their front office with Magic Johnson taking over as president of basketball operations and Rob Pelinka as the general manager. There was another name mentioned as a possibility to join the Lakers however, in former GM and current Golden State Warriors executive board member Jerry West.
West has been a difference maker wherever he has gone as he won awards for his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, and many say he was a major factor in convincing Kevin Durant to join the Warriors last summer in free agency.
Apparently he was interested in a return to the Lakers, where he served as GM for 20 years, but according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, West didn’t fit the vision of Lakers president Jeanie Buss:
“Jerry West was interested in returning to the Lakers, where son Ryan has carved out a useful role with the old and new regime, but, though Jeanie Buss will forever revere Jerry, he didn’t match her vision for the future, according to NBA sources.”
West’s interest in a return to the Lakers is not anything new as it was reported previously that he would be intrigued should the Lakers want him back. However, in the immediate aftermath of Magic taking over the front office, it was said that West would not be a part of the Lakers new regime, though no reason was given.
West not matching Jeanie’s vision for the future is vague, but it’s also the only thing that matters since Jeanie is the boss.
Nonetheless, the Lakers have their main people in place with Magic, Pelinka, and Luke Walton. All three seem to be on the same page which is essential for the Lakers moving forward.
