The Lakers have always considered themselves a family organization. If you do well by the franchise, you forever have a place with the franchise, and it’s almost impossible to gain a foothold as an outsider. As things stand right now, the only real way to gain power is to either be related to Jeanie Buss, or be a long-time friend, and seemingly once you get that power, there’s nothing you can do to lose it.
Rob Pelinka’s contract extension is just the latest example of Buss’ refusal as principal governor to actually hold anyone accountable.
Magic Johnson was hired after almost no net was cast for potential presidents of basketball operations and Rob Pelinka was named his second-in-command with the same process.