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Walter will not hesitate to part ways with staff if better options available

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5 Things: Money

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It feels like an annual tradition, at some point during any NBA Finals in which they are not a part, the Lakers up-end the league. Whether it’s Magic walking away before the last game of a lost season, firing Vogel and then Ham a couple years later, the Lakers seemingly looooove to steal the spotlight. Usually around game 5 or 6 in the NBA Finals. Spotlight on Mark Walter. Now we’re not playing with family money.

(For the rest of the read feel free to put on or replay in your mind Pink Floyd’s ‘Money’)

So, without any knowledge whatsoever, let’s get into how this could alter the way we do business.

1) No more public embarrassment over money. Since the great financial collapse of 2007 there have many flashes of Laker cheapness: assistant coaches being let go during the lockout, the Ty Lue coaching debacle, an inability to put together a medical team that keeps players on the floor. The PPE government loan during COVID… All of these come back to the Buss family bottom line. The Lakers have been run smartly…for the biggest small market team in existence. But that comes with inevitable cost saving or cutting measures that make winning a little more difficult.

2) Everyone gets a personal trainer if they make more than $40 mil annually. This is obviously a guess and arbitrary number but the theory is sound. Personal trainers for superstars will now be on the team payroll if they show that they can keep their client ready to perform. This will have the added benefit of some other guys getting tips or treatment from high skill level training staff. Expect money to be poured into that area on a much more significant level.

3) Scouting. The Lakers do OK at scouting, because of their high profile they are a destination team for undrafted players who may be better than expected. This is not a winning model, however. It’s like making use of the goat bones to make a good stock for a stew on down the line. Expect the Lakers to invest more money on scouting both at home and abroad.

4) Small Cap infractions. I expect the Lakers to be less fearful about the 2nd apron now. I’m not saying we’ll go full Phoenix but it won’t be the anathema it is now, and to be sure it was an anathema. Dr. Buss never paid luxury taxes, the Lakers did only when the league basically built it into the cap as a cost controlling mechanism, and now that won’t matter quite as much. This will show itself most in retaining our own free agents.

5) Get Rob some help. I’ve never been a huge Rob fan but now there will be fewer voices in his ear. The Buss family will be reduced to but one Buss, Jeannie. The decision making cabal that currently exists will, eventually, be replaced by experts and people with true knowledge. Rob May, or may not, last and Bob Meyers is sitting at ESPN just waiting for the job should Pelinka not last.