By Editorial | Sport
Recent results have called certainties into question in Los Angeles. Despite a correct position in the ranking, the dynamic is no longer as reassuring as at the start of the season. In this context, the franchise is no longer limited to thinking about adjustments on the ground.
The complicated series the Lakers went through highlighted persistent gaps in the squad. Four defeats in the last five games, and eight losses in the thirteen most recent, have increased the pressure around the team. As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the stated objective remains the addition of a winger capable of providing defense and outside skill, a profile considered essential to stabilize the group.
To achieve this, the work of the scouting unit is more than ever at the center of discussions. Identifying the right target at the right price requires solid organization upstream, and this is precisely where managers want to strengthen their processes. The sports management believes that the room for progress is not only in the exchanges of players, but also in the internal structure which prepares these decisions.
An internal restructuring designed for the long term
According to NBA journalist Jovan Buha, deeper changes are in preparation within the front office and the scouting department. “I have heard that the process regarding scouting is ongoing and that there will be changes at some point, probably this season. And this won’t just concern scouting,” he explained, before adding: “The idea is to build a front office capable of competing with the best organizations in the league, both in quality and quantity. »
This desire for transformation is part of a global vision. The ambition would be to strengthen certain key centers by significantly increasing the number of competent profiles, in order to no longer operate with small teams facing the major organizational powers of the league. The objective mentioned would even be to increase certain internal staff by 30 to 40%, to gain depth and decision-making efficiency.
This project could accelerate in the wake of a major event: the historic sale of the franchise. Officially validated at the end of October, the transaction estimated at $10 billion saw the Buss family cede a majority stake to Mark Walter, already owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This change in financial dimension is logically accompanied by a new managerial approach.
On a purely sporting level, the Lakers have a record of 24 wins for 15 losses, enough to occupy fifth place in the West. But the gap with the top 4 continues to widen, fueling the idea that adjustments, both internal and external, have become necessary. More than a simple reaction to a bad series, these announced changes reflect a more ambitious overhaul of the way in which the franchise intends to remain competitive in the long term.
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