For years, people have criticized how the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office has functioned. Critics have charged that the franchise has been run like a mom-and-pop small business rather than a multi-billion-dollar organization that has become the gold standard of basketball over the last few decades.
One specific criticism is that there is too much nepotism flowing through the veins of the organization. Several years ago, Kurt Rambis, a beloved role player on its “Showtime” teams of the 1980s and a former head coach, was hired to be its senior basketball advisor, despite lacking front office experience. His wife, Linda, was also given a nebulous title of “executive director of special projects.”
According to NBA reporter Ethan Strauss, Linda Rambis is the most powerful figure in the Lakers’ front office, followed by Kurt Rambis. Both reportedly have more pull than general manager Rob Pelinka.
“Based on conversations with those in the know, a ranking of the most powerful Laker decision-making officials would be: executive director/special projects Linda Rambis, director of basketball affairs Kurt Rambis, president of business operations Tim Harris (who dated Jeanie Buss long ago) and general manager Rob Pelinka.
“That’s the order as I understand it, and that’s without the confounding variables of LeBron James, Rich Paul, and their Klutch Sports Group. LeBron and Klutch have been controlling Laker basketball decisions, but it’s not clear how long that dynamic will last. Theirs is a massive influence but likely a passing one.”
Now that a majority share of the Lakers will be sold to Mark Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and the primary owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, one has to wonder if the power structure in the front office will change. However, Buss, the team’s longtime governor, will reportedly remain in that role for the foreseeable future.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Shocking report on who has the most power in Lakers’ front office
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
