With a backdrop of three championship trophies proudly displayed on a table, Jeanie Buss settled into a prop desk, ready to share a glimpse into a significant event that had recently unfolded in her life. As she sat there, she couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of the situation.
“Everyone’s asking, ‘Was this trade orchestrated to drum up buzz for the show?'” Buss quipped before the game on Thursday. “I don’t think so.”
The show in question, “Running Point” on Netflix, is a new sitcom created by the talented Mindy Kaling, drawing inspiration from Buss’ fascinating life at the helm of the Lakers. But while the series is purely fictional, the trade that had just rocked the Lakers organization was very much a reality – a bold, game-changing move that would leave a lasting impact on the team’s future. And according to Buss, it’s a decision that her late father would have wholeheartedly supported.
“He’d be immensely proud. When you’re acquiring a player of Luka Doncic’s caliber, it comes at a price. My dad was a master poker player, and he always emphasized the importance of patience in the game. He used to say that in poker, you must bide your time until the right cards are dealt. And when they finally are, you need to seize the opportunity and play fearlessly,” she reflected. “It was a tough call because we weren’t actively seeking to part ways with Anthony Davis or Max Christie. But it was a move my father would have endorsed, and we had to take the plunge.”
Buss commended the discretion exercised by Lakers’ General Manager Rob Pelinka and the Dallas Mavericks in orchestrating the trade, which had sent shockwaves through the NBA community.
“Given how easily these deals can fall apart, it was crucial to me that we maintained secrecy. Had the trade leaked prematurely and not materialized, it would have unjustly disrupted the progress our coaching staff had made with the team,” she explained. “The trade deadline is part and parcel of the business, adding a layer of stress for everyone involved. I take pride in the fact that the details were kept under wraps until the very end, blindsiding all parties but aligning with the nature of this industry.”
Pleased with the collaborative efforts between the front office and the newly appointed head coach, JJ Redick, Buss shared her satisfaction with the cohesion displayed.
“For this season, it was paramount for Rob to establish a shared vision with the coach. I believe that JJ and Rob are truly aligned in their aspirations for the team, and the results speak for themselves,” she expressed. “We’re witnessing firsthand the progress being made, validating the synergy between them. Given the significance of this team to our community, the decision to bring in a rookie coach was a weighty one, considering the lack of prior experience. Yet
