Lakers Promote Ryan West to Director of Player Personnel

[crazyeights]

Jerry West's son, Ryan West is being promoted in the Lakers FO. Some think he's being groomed for Mitch's job.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-ryan-west-director-player-personnel-20150823-story.html

[Ryan] West, formerly the team's assistant director of scouting, started as a scout for the team in 2009. He also worked as a scout for the Memphis Grizzlies for almost eight years.

A team spokesman confirmed West's change in title, although an official announcement won't be made until September.

Along with Jesse Buss, the Lakers' director of scouting, West was a driving force in the draft-day trade with the Washington Wizards for guard Jordan Clarkson.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2021677-jerry-wests-son-ryan-carries-lakers-past-into-the-future-as-key-scout-for-la

But on a fundamental level, all Ryan can tell you is he shares something with his father. Quite possibly it does spring from a son so desperately wanting to see a world through his father's eyes.

"I don't know if that's his influence or not, but we pretty much like the same kind of players, it seems like," Ryan said. "His guidance probably did help formulate my opinion on what I look for in a player."

Both Wests are partial to really athletic players. Ryan believes something about a guy should pop out as a clear NBA talent—whether it's as abstract as communicating on defense or as simplistic as playing hard—while he observes that guy in a game.

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/8/23/9195065/la-lakers-ryan-west-promotion

Earlier this offseason, Sam Amick of USA Today reported that Vlade Divac and the Sacramento Kings had "serious interest" in bringing West in to join their front office. While that obviously never came to fruition, this promotion would presumably raise West's salary in order to ward off future attempts to pry the man who some say could be the Lakers' GM in waiting from the front office.

[Slava]

I'm so glad its him and not Jessie Buss. This franchise could not handle a losing season with a Jessie - Jimmy - Jeanie Buss combo at the helm.

Here's an article on the Lakers' succession plan:

When Jim Buss boldly stated he’d step down in 3 seasons if the Lakers weren’t back in championship contention speculation began to swirl. In an ideal world, Buss would step down, Kupchak would become Vice President of Basketball Operations and Ryan West would become General Manager.

Note also that the Lakers exit-interviews this past April were conducted by Mitch Kupchak and Ryan West, not Jim Buss. Hopefully that is the combo that carries the Lakers into the next chapter of winning basketball. West has been entrusted and endorsed by his father Jerry and Kupchak, so this is no case of favoritism, rather respect. Divac’s singling out of West may be similar to Phil Jackson’s affection for Steve Kerr before he was hired as a Head Coach. As fans we often focus on players as the single reason for winning, but the front office is ultimately responsible for selecting individual talent and hiring the Head Coach who leads the team. Ryan West has game-changing potential and the Lakers must do everything they can to keep him bleeding purple and gold.

http://lakeshowlife.com/2015/06/22/grooming-ryan-west-lakers-succession-plan/

[FrozenIceCubes]

Ryan West seems to have a lot of potential To be a great NBA business man.

He must have seen something in Jordan Clarkson when he told the Lakers to make a draft day trade with the Wizards... I am diff interested to see what eyes he has for talent when it comes to FA/Trades.

[Mrewn]

smart move by the Lakers that could pay off in the future. who knows if were lucky he could take Jim buss VP job.

[dockingsched]

Other than a title change and probably a pay raise, I haven't seen any info on what the promotion means for his actual job duties.

[TN3LL662]

Glad they were able to keep him in house. I think the Kings were interested in him a few months ago.

[Marionettetc]

Damnit, I was hoping that Chaz was going to get that gig

[BEazy]

Nice. Ryan West seems like a smart guy.

[Kilroy]

Nice. Ryan West seems like a smart guy.

Am I missing something... All I know about this guy is that he's Jerry's son...

We have one of those. Nobody's pleased.

He get's promoted, and all of a sudden "Clarkson was all Ryan?" Just seems a little convenient. Not knocking the move over all. The ORG needs fresh blood. But I'm just not sure Ryan West has the chops to be hyped just yet. There were a lot of people who have done more for the sport that we could have chosen.
Thibs as coach/DoPP for example?

[Sofa King]

Lets promote Magics 8 sons for something.

[crazyeights]

Nice. Ryan West seems like a smart guy.

Am I missing something... All I know about this guy is that he's Jerry's son...

We have one of those. Nobody's pleased.

He get's promoted, and all of a sudden "Clarkson was all Ryan?" Just seems a little convenient. Not knocking the move over all. The ORG needs fresh blood. But I'm just not sure Ryan West has the chops to be hyped just yet. There were a lot of people who have done more for the sport that we could have chosen.
Thibs as coach/DoPP for example?

Actually, I think you have missed something. I'm not gonna dig all the articles about him over the past year or two, but there has been a growing narrative in the local media about his rising star. IIRC, reports after this current draft had Ryan West and Jesse as on the Russell bandwagon before Mitch and Jim were. Plus their work with Clarkson and a pick like Nance, and you at least see some bold vision going on. It's too early to tell if these gambles pay off, but they're getting at something and we'll have to see what develops.

To me the title change does two things: it keeps him in-house (which further indicates that they actually believe he's a valued member of the FO with potential), plus it emphasizes a shift in strategy from tanking (draft scouting) to acquisitions (trades/free agency/curating a team).

[Kilroy]

Nice. Ryan West seems like a smart guy.

Am I missing something... All I know about this guy is that he's Jerry's son...

We have one of those. Nobody's pleased.

He get's promoted, and all of a sudden "Clarkson was all Ryan?" Just seems a little convenient. Not knocking the move over all. The ORG needs fresh blood. But I'm just not sure Ryan West has the chops to be hyped just yet. There were a lot of people who have done more for the sport that we could have chosen.
Thibs as coach/DoPP for example?

Actually, I think you have missed something. I'm not gonna dig all the articles about him over the past year or two, but there has been a growing narrative in the local media about his rising star. IIRC, reports after this current draft had Ryan West and Jesse as on the Russell bandwagon before Mitch and Jim were. Plus their work with Clarkson and a pick like Nance, and you at least see some bold vision going on. It's too early to tell if these gambles pay off, but they're getting at something and we'll have to see what develops.

To me the title change does two things: it keeps him in-house (which further indicates that they actually believe he's a valued member of the FO with potential), plus it emphasizes a shift in strategy from tanking (draft scouting) to acquisitions (trades/free agency/curating a team).

The narrative I've seen consists of; "He's smart because he's West's son." I've read the articles, but the substance is lacking from what I've seen. In fact, a lot of those articles said he was still learning the ropes of the org.
Like I said... I don't think it's a bad move necessarily. I just wonder if it was a little rushed. To be honest, it feels like a move designed to mollify the fans that are calling for changes in the FO without really making any changes.

I've been calling for a promotion for Mitch for a few years now. I want him to move up and find a replacement. But with the current trend of top Coaches being given FO positions, I thought we'd go that rout.

As much as I think the perceived 'problems' in the FO and the need for overhaul is a bit overblown. I do think it's time for some updating and changes. So if Ryan West is anything like his Dad, I'm all for this move. I just am not in the "This move was overdue" or "first step in fixing the Lakers" camp just yet. And I don't really entirely understand the positive waves surrounding this move in the fanbase right now.

[dockingsched]

I don't really get all the I guess hype from fans either. Other than being Jerry's son and having been gifted some NBA jobs what did people really even know about him?

Don't think I've ever even heard him speak publicly

[Jakay]

Buss Children owners, West Child GM, Magic or Shaq or anyone got kids old enough to be drafted yet? Definitely trade for Klay Thompson. And maybe see if Paula Abdul has any kids suited to be lead choreographer.

Then you can start a reality show called "Lakers: Generations".

[BEazy]

If Ryan has the same vision as his old man I would support that all day. In the article crazyeights posted he did mention that him and his dad have a similar criteria when scouting. We'll see what that means if he gets a GM job and Mitch moves up and takes ole Jimbo's place.

Vlade was trying to get Ryan to join them on the Kings. I would say Vlade is a pretty smart individual. I would think Ryan would go to his dad for advice and guidance also, and maybe just maybe that might sway Jerry to come back to the Lakers as a consultant of some sort after his stint with the Warriors is done, but I'm not counting on it.

[crazyeights]

The narrative I've seen consists of; "He's smart because he's West's son." I've read the articles, but the substance is lacking from what I've seen. In fact, a lot of those articles said he was still learning the ropes of the org.
Like I said... I don't think it's a bad move necessarily. I just wonder if it was a little rushed. To be honest, it feels like a move designed to mollify the fans that are calling for changes in the FO without really making any changes.

I've been calling for a promotion for Mitch for a few years now. I want him to move up and find a replacement. But with the current trend of top Coaches being given FO positions, I thought we'd go that rout.

As much as I think the perceived 'problems' in the FO and the need for overhaul is a bit overblown. I do think it's time for some updating and changes. So if Ryan West is anything like his Dad, I'm all for this move. I just am not in the "This move was overdue" or "first step in fixing the Lakers" camp just yet. And I don't really entirely understand the positive waves surrounding this move in the fanbase right now.

I don't think the Lakers are the type of organization to give the keys to an outsider to coach the team and run the FO. I agree with Morey that one person can't effectively do those two jobs. But if that's your concern, they didn't promote Ryan West to GM, they created a new title as a carrot to keep him in-house. So I'm not sure there's anything to be concerned about at this point.

I in no way think this fixes the Lakers problems, but it could be a step in the right direction. They haven't even officially announced the change yet, they're reportedly to do so in September. Maybe when they do so, they'll give greater specifics about their reasoning and what it will mean going forward.