Failure! That’s how many have described the Los Angeles Lakers offseason. The primary reason is the second-year player option to Jaxon Hayes, Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and D’Angelo Russell. All of them opted in. To add fuel to the fire, the Lakers also got another developmental project- Bronny James- this summer; thanks to his surname.

Overall, the team barely has any substantive player apart from their core. The only chance they had was with Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan to make a strong contending roster. However, they missed that part, and an ex-Athletic insider revealed untouched parts of that proposal.

“I know the Lakers attempted to really overpay Klay Thompson pretty badly, it just did not work out like the DeMar DeRozan thing,” Andy Kamenetzky said on the Locked on Lakers podcast. Apparently, Jeanie Buss’ front office offered about $80 million in contract to Klay Thompson for four years. Yet the ex-Dubs guard chose the Dallas Mavericks, signing a three-year $50 million deal. However, there was someone who really wanted him to join the Lakers.

It was Klay’s father, Mychal Thompson. In July, he talked about his son’s decision to join the Mavericks. “I’m not feeling too much in a congratulatory mood right now… Obviously it’s Klay’s decision, it’s his life. He’s a grown man, 34 years of age. … [but] I was really disappointed.”

“I was hoping … that he would be a Laker. And it was close, it came down to the Lakers and the Mavs, but the Mavs won out. But you know me, I was hoping and praying he’d finish his career with the Lakers.”

As per the information available, LeBron James had called Klay Thompson after the latter’s free agency began and Mychal Thompson too attempted to recruit his son on behalf of the Lakers. The father was of the opinion that the Lakers would be a great fit as he grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant.

Similarly, the team tried their luck with DeMar DeRozan, but Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka could not land him. “The DeMar DeRozan thing, I don’t think was ever really realistic for DeMar unless he was going to take a pay cut that I don’t blame him for saying no to,” Andy Kamenetzky highlighted another off-season failure of the Lakers front office.

And it is true since, per The Atheltic’s Shams Charania, the Lakers never really went beyond the “Simple interest” thing for DeRozan. Even an offer was not on the table. However, DeRozan and Thompson are not the only ones Jeanie Buss and her front office missed. It also goes for current selections.

Jeanie Buss’ draft selection also comes into question!

The Lakers are in a puddle of trouble right now. They’re roughly $45,000 under the nearly $189 million second apron. So this restrains them from getting any player in free agency or signing additional players in trades. Overall, the roster is so tight right now that there is no space for more. “Jeanie Buss could and should do better,” Andy Kamenetzky said. With this, people have one question. Bronny James?

He just averaged 4.3 points with an underwhelming 22.6% field goal percentage in Summer League’s first four games. And despite being a shooting guard, his shooting slump got better after four games. This provoked criticism among the NBA community. However, to rescue the young prospect, Jeanie Buss stepped in recently.

About two days ago, Buss said on AM 570 LA Sports, “We have to let the kid have an opportunity to play and prove that he should be in a Laker uniform. …he works hard, he’s dedicated and he really wants to do this.”

So, it seems that Jeanie Buss is going to take the gamble with Bronny. It can be the same for the Klay Thompson and DeRozan failure. Though Klay chose potential NBA champions next season, DeRoz’s one is still vague. He averaged 24 points last season on 48% shooting from the field. No one knows what’s going on with the strategic department of the Lakers. But the time is ticking off, and the opportunities are scarce for them.

Other voices have also recently chimed in on the Lakers’ troubles. “I don’t feel that the Los Angeles Lakers are a serious contender to make a deep playoff run and I think the static nature of the front office and what they’ve done to the roster over the past couple years would reflect that,” Michael Pina of the Ringer said.

He added that the Lakers “don’t feel a sense of urgency in the same way that other front offices have throughout LeBron’s career.” Pina also had some words of advice for Rob Pelinka. “You would like to see just a little more aggression maybe. And there are avenues to be aggressive if you’re wanting to be aggressive.” 

Now, LA Lakers fans will have to wait and watch what happens further. What do you think?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger