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http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/report-jerry-west-wants-job-offer-from-lakers-is-not-getting-one/ar-BBA3ylB

Jerry West, who spent over 40 years with the Lakers as a player, coach, and executive, would reportedly like to return to the organization as a consultant — but no offer is coming.

Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register reported that the Lakers are aware of West’s desire to return, but are not going to act on it.

It’s not clear whose decision it is to ignore West’s interest, but this report gives us a pretty good idea. It seems silly to reject interest from a franchise icon and a man who has built champions before, but perhaps the Lakers would prefer to look forward instead of backward.

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/04/14/heisler-lakers-no-longer-even-do-no-brainers-like-tanking-and-jerry-west/

These days the Lakers don’t even do no-brainers, like inviting Jerry West back in a consultant’s role like the one he has with the Warriors. A Lakers insider told me it’s not happening … even though the Lakers are aware West would love to be asked back.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2697145-lakers-show-loyalty-matters-more-than-family-with-new-magic-pelinka-front-office

There just has to be a balance between personal goals and loyalty.

Jerry West was interested in returning to the Lakers, where son Ryan has carved out a useful role with the old and new regime, but, though Jeanie Buss will forever revere Jerry, he didn't match her vision for the future, according to NBA sources.

I agree with the thought that bringing West back as a Consultant is a 'No-Brainer'... What do you have to lose? Only thing I can think of is Magics authority would take a hit... That said, Magic has essentially no experience assembling basketball talent... Neither does Pelinka... Honestly, I think they NEED Jerry West.

I guess we'll see... But firing Mitch and ignoring West just adds to the pressure they've created for themselves... There absolutely has to be a plan in place to build a playoff team this season. They can't afford to make a mediocre deal or two... Like Magic says, they need a superstar now.

If they don't have a plan to land a true superstar, they absolutely should hire West, trot him out to the media and have him say, "Looking at the pieces we have, it makes sense for us to give them a little more time to develop before breaking it up," or something like that. Instant pressure relief valve...

You'd also have to think Free Agents would be even more impressed if West were here.

All things considered, even in my most positive "West is too old" frame of mind, this doesn't make any sense whatsoever to me.

Kilroy wrote: You'd also have to think Free Agents would be even more impressed if West were here.

All things considered, even in my most positive "West is too old" frame of mind, this doesn't make any sense whatsoever to me.

I agree with you one-million percent that West as a consultant is a no-brainer. Total no-brainer. He's older than the dirt at this point...but you bring him in, and pick his brain.

The problem that I have with this, is that there is NO WAY J-West comes out and does this right at the start of a playoff-run. This is media BS to the n-th degree. Even if there's a nugget of truth in that....the Lakers can't go -a- courtin' right now. GS is in a playoff run.

I'd love to see West back here. But I don't buy this at all right now. This is gonna turn out to be something his son said, that's been twisted, deformed, blown up, and taken out of context.

Just based on his reputation around the league with front offices and players, I would think just his presence at free agent meetings could only help the recruitment process.

J_LA wrote:Just based on his reputation around the league with front offices and players, I would think just his presence at free agent meetings could only help the recruitment process.

Do doubt....the guy is the NBA's Yoda. Talk about IMMEDIATELY turning the tide in FA's minds. Magic, Pelinka, West.

Now if this came out in July....I'd be mad. But I don't buy that West would start these kinda discussions now. It's this damn 24hour / internet media. I'm telling you....we're gonna find out that Ryan West, or someone like that made some offhand comment about how it'd be great to work with his dad...and they have talked about it before. You know...something harmless....and prob fairly obvious. But some "NBAROCKATHON.com" grabbed it, and off we go.

And of course, now Magic doesn't like West.....and you know the rest.

This is actually a really good time to talk to him... He's not a coach or a player, his job is pretty much done until after the playoffs, when they can start trading, or the draft...
In fact, he's not even a GM... So it wouldn't be like he was leaving the team in the lurch or anything leading up to the draft... Not that it matters too much for them.

danfantastk32 wrote:

J_LA wrote:Just based on his reputation around the league with front offices and players, I would think just his presence at free agent meetings could only help the recruitment process.

Do doubt....the guy is the NBA's Yoda. Talk about IMMEDIATELY turning the tide in FA's minds. Magic, Pelinka, West.

Now if this came out in July....I'd be mad. But I don't buy that West would start these kinda discussions now. It's this damn 24hour / internet media. I'm telling you....we're gonna find out that Ryan West, or someone like that made some offhand comment about how it'd be great to work with his dad...and they have talked about it before. You know...something harmless....and prob fairly obvious. But some "NBAROCKATHON.com" grabbed it, and off we go.

And of course, now Magic doesn't like West.....and you know the rest.

It's not really that hard for me to believe he's interested in returning.
Not sure what else he has to prove in Golden State. Especially considering his role is probably very minuscule.

He could feel like with Magic and Rob's lack of experience they can use him more than the Warriors can.
At the same time it's a chance to return too where it all started. Not to mention the fact his son works in the front office.
Makes sense to me.

Any chance you can get West back you do it. He never should have been allowed to leave. Dr. Buss letting him go to empower Jimbo was probably one of the few bad moves he made while owning the Lakers.

We messed up with hiring Magic to have any power.

Jerry West and Ryan West was my dream combo as new FO. I love Rob Pelinka, but I really don't like Magic having a say in basketball decisions.

Hire jerry!

Slava wrote:Any chance you can get West back you do it. He never should have been allowed to leave. Dr. Buss letting him go to empower Jimbo was probably one of the few bad moves he made while owning the Lakers.

You gotta at least mention Phil Jackson here to be all the way accurate.

This is the ancient story of a young man who wants to show the world he can do it without his daddy's help.

It's too bad actually, because thy could use all the help they can get, especially West's.

Ego is one helluva drug my friend.

I REALLY hope it is not true that the FO turned down Jerry West if he is indeed interested in returning. It would feel like passing on Phil Jackson all over again.

I really wouldn't be surprised if West did have interest in returning. Even as he's been with other organizations, he's always had a rooting interest in the Lakers and you can tell he still cares about the team. I bet he would love to see the franchise return to its glory days.

Considering all the questionable moves over the years, a lack of a move to bring him back would upset me greatly.
He is an excellent evaluator of talent.
His name carries a lot of weight with free agents.
He will be a great asset in helping assemble a good all around team .

If he really wants to come back, and we don't bring him back, we'd be losing a great opportunity.

After evaluating all the talent, I'd love to know West's opinion as to who's the best prospect in this draft.

People always want to live in the past. Let Magic, Rob and Ryan West do their thing. Sometimes people want to create their own legacy independent of others.

Not a good look if they don't bring him back in some capacity--especially if he is the interested party. Having West tied to the Lakers can only enhance the image.

ok, I'm angry now

This is definitely Magic's ego getting in the way. He wants to be tied to basketball success beyond his playing days the way Riley and West are. If West comes in that is going to take away from the credit Magic receives

Didn't he have an impact on KD going to the Bay? I believe they spoke with one another on the phone. We have to bring him back. He is the logo for god's sake.

Jody Smokz wrote:People always want to live in the past. Let Magic, Rob and Ryan West do their thing. Sometimes people want to create their own legacy independent of others.

Why would fans care about some of the front office people wanting to create their own legacies? They care about the front office making shrewd moves to get the Lakers out of the hell hole they are in. How would West as a consultant hurt that? He is proven. The current front office heads are not.

Let Magic and Rob do their thing.

vs.

Let Magic and Rob do their thing with Jerry West advising.

That truly is a no brainer for me.

Tobi wrote:Didn't he have an impact on KD going to the Bay? I believe they spoke with one another on the phone. We have to bring him back. He is the logo for god's sake.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/06/warriors-owner-joe-lacob-on-jerry-wests-future-beyond-this-season-were-going-to-do-something-that-works-for-him-and-works-for-us/

West, one of the greatest executives of all-time from his Lakers and Memphis days, has been a vital part of the Warriors’ turn-around since joining the franchise in May 2011 as an executive board member and key front-office voice.

He championed the selection of Klay Thompson in 2011, for instance, was one of the strongest voices arguing against even considering trading Thompson for Kevin Love in 2014, and held a key phone conversation with Kevin Durant in the hours before Durant decided to leave the Thunder to sign with the Warriors last summer.

If West positively influences one major free agent to come to LA, he will be worth it. If he steers one major trade positively for the Lakers, he will be worth it. And frankly I trust Jerry's levelheadedness especially in the early stages more than that of Magic and Rob