Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss made the tough decision to fire her own brother and hand over control of basketball operations to Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. She was rewarded for her decision when the Lakers signed LeBron James last offseason, adding to the team’s history of superstars.
Despite the signing of James, however, it was always known that the Lakers would need a second star to become true championship contenders this season. But the Lakers were unable to sign another star and while they were engaged in trade talks for Kawhi Leonard, refused to part with their young talent to acquire him.