Jeanie Buss, the governor of the Los Angeles Lakers, recently opened up about the strategic maneuvers that secured international basketball sensation Luka Doncic in a pivotal trade with the Dallas Mavericks. Speaking to reporters while promoting the new Netflix comedy series "Running Point," inspired by her tenure with the Lakers, Buss highlighted the importance of maintaining confidentiality during the critical trade discussions. The series, in which she serves as an executive producer, debuted Thursday and draws on her experiences running one of the NBA's most storied franchises.
In a move that could redefine the Lakers' future, the team successfully acquired Luka Doncic after rigorous negotiations led by Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager. Buss emphasized that only a select few were aware of the negotiations until they culminated in a finalized deal on February 1. She stated the importance of keeping such talks within a tight circle to avoid distractions and ensure fairness to the coaching staff's ongoing progress with the team.
"If it had leaked out and the trade hadn't happened, that would be really unfair to the progress that the coaching staff had made with the team. Because it's a huge distraction." – Jeanie Buss
The trade discussions began when Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison approached Pelinka on January 7, setting in motion three and a half weeks of intense negotiations. Buss recalled her father's advice, likening the process to a game of patience and strategy.
"When you get a player of that stature, you have to give up a lot. But it's like, my dad was such a great poker player and he said that he always wanted me to remember that poker was a game of patience. That you had to wait for the right cards, but once you got the cards, you had to go from zero to 100 and play the cards and not be afraid to play them." – Jeanie Buss
Despite initial reservations about bringing in first-year coach JJ Redick, Buss now stands firmly behind him, recognizing his role in the team's recent success. The Lakers have experienced significant highs and lows since Buss assumed her leadership role following her father's passing, but they are currently thriving, having won 14 out of their last 17 games after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Reflecting on past franchise moves, Buss drew parallels between the current trade and previous significant decisions, such as trading for Pau Gasol and the infamous vetoed trade for Chris Paul by then-NBA commissioner David Stern. These experiences informed her cautious approach to the recent negotiations.
"It was really important to me that we didn't blow up the team," – Jeanie Buss
The successful acquisition of Luka Doncic not only signifies a strategic victory for Buss but also highlights her adept handling of complex negotiations in a high-pressure environment. The trade deadline remains a challenging period for any NBA team, as Buss acknowledged.
"The trade deadline is part of the business, it increases the level of stress for everybody," – Jeanie Buss
Beyond basketball operations, Buss has embraced the Lakers' Hollywood connections through projects like "Running Point," which celebrates her leadership and personal journey. Thursday also marked "Girl Dad Night," an event celebrating female empowerment and family values at a Lakers game.
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