In recent weeks, there has been a change to the Lakers with the arrival of Magic Johson as an advisor and then finally as president since Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak were fired. It happened a few days before the trade deadline and at the time, if a GM had been found, Rob Pelinka, he only officially signed on Thursday.
Magic Johnson did not meet Mitch Kupchak between his appointment as councilor and chairman, as he had to do so on Monday when he was fired. So he was not made aware of anything about the deals that were being discussed of the different tracks, which made it difficult for him in the negotiations.
According to the report, there was an exchange of Lou Williams with the Rockets and Jazz, and these deals were for a first draft. Jeanie Buss would have wondered why they were waiting to make this trade since it was the offer sought.
Also, before the transfer of DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans, Vlade Divac called Magic Johson about Cousins, to find out if he was interested. Counselor at the time, he explained that he had to see it with Mitch Kucphak, but he never gave him an answer.
In the meantime, Vlade Divac wanted to speed up the transfer of Cousins and he met GM of Pelicans, Dell Demps, many times during the All-Star Weekend while the Lakers had also engaged in discussions with the King thru a phone call, while Magic was in New Orleans.
Everythig went quickly, too fast, for the Lakers since Divac put an offer on the table, which concerned two of the last three players, D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle, and in this case, Mitch Kupchack had to inform Jim Buss before making a decision about these players.
The La Lakers missed out on a franchise player. (Source:www.bleacherreports.com)
Jim first informed his brother, who himself to contract his sister by text. Only concern, she apparently did not have it immediately and before she even knew about it, and Magic too, the Kings had dealt with the Pelicans.
It is not certain that La Lakers accepted this offer, but this concern for communication precipitated the end of Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak.
