On March 8, Beijing time, The Athletic celebrity Sam Amick and Bill Oram jointly reported that the 5 insiders of the Lakers were revealed. According to the report, all indications are that Westbrook's departure from the team this summer is a foregone conclusion, and Vogel is likely to be replaced. Lakers owner Jenny Bass wants to make James happy and may pick James' eldest son Brownie in the draft in the future, and if Kobe did not die unexpectedly, Jenny originally planned to offer Kobe Bryant a management position. "Zen Master" Phil Jackson has a close connection with Jenny and is one of Jenny's advisors.
Wei Shao's departure from the team is a foregone conclusion
According to the report, all kinds of strong signs indicate that Wei Shao's departure from the team this summer is a foregone conclusion. With One season left on Westbrook's contract, worth $47 million, it's hard to imagine he returning to the Lakers next season. It's just that his contract is too big, and it requires the combined efforts of both parties. The Lakers can choose to lay off Westbrook with an extended clause, and his contract amount will be amortized into the salary cap for the next three seasons, but doing so will affect the Lakers' future salary space.
Sources said the coaching staff had tried to push westbrook before the trade deadline, but ultimately failed. The Lakers gave up the opportunity to get Wall, partly because of the draft signing cost of the trade, and partly because of the fear that Wall, who has not played for most of the season, will not be able to help the Lakers turn the season.
Now it seems that the friction between Westbrook and the coaching staff is likely to get worse. Sources confirmed that tensions between Westbrook and the coaching staff have escalated recently, and during the video lesson, Westbrook and Vogel have friction. In addition, Wei Shao's wife, Nina, also revealed on social media that the family received death threats. So far this season, Westbrook has averaged 18.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game.
Vogel is likely to be replaced
All indications are that Vogel will be replaced this summer, unless the team has a stunning playoff trip this season. After the Lakers' crushing defeat to the Nuggets on Jan. 16, Vogel was close to being sacked. With Vogel's contract set to expire at the end of the season, all indications are that he will be replaced this summer.
Sources pointed out that unless the Lakers can make it to the second round of the playoffs or the Western Conference Finals, it seems unlikely now. Although the official decision has not yet come out, vogel is very likely to leave.
Jenny wants james to be happy and has the potential to choose Brownie
James' remarks in Cleveland caused uneasiness among lakers management, and on February 23, Jenny Bass, Pelinka, and James' agent, Rich Paul, engaged in a two-hour conversation. The meeting was easy and pleasant, and both the Lakers and James were willing to continue to cooperate. James hopes to play with Brownie at the end of his career with the Lakers, and although it is full of unknowns, the Lakers do have the possibility of selecting Brownie.
Brownie can qualify for the draft as soon as 2024, and ESPN's current ranking puts him at No. 43, and the Lakers didn't have a first-round pick that year, but they did have a second-round pick. According to the report, Jenny Bass wants to make James happy and want to gain his trust.
Jenny had originally planned to offer Kobe Bryant a management position
If Bryant hadn't died in the horrific helicopter accident of January 26, 2020, Jenny Bass's plan is to invite Bryant to management in the near future to take on the actual work. At a luncheon in Newport Beach in February 2017, Bryant had already had a major impact on the Lakers, forcing Jenny to oust her brother Jim from a management position.
In essence, The current Pelinka represents both himself and Kobe Bryant. He was Kobe's agent, and Jenny trusted Pelinka and supported him fully. While there have been many rumors of Pelinka's departure, it is clear that these ties are not so easy to sever.
Phil Jackson is still advising the Lakers
The powers of the Lakers management are complex. The Rambis, who are trusted by Jenny Bass, have a lot of say, and Jenny also consults magician Johnson, Pelinka, and her ex-fiancé, Phil Jackson.
James had openly fought with Phil Jackson, and both sides looked down on each other. When Phil Jackson was in the Knicks, James stood up for Anthony and confronted jackson about his attitude towards Anthony. Sources said James has no problem with the Lakers' current power structure. Jackson, who has also appeared at the Lakers arena before, is still advising the team.