Jeanie Buss Talks Westbrook, LeBron and the Lakers Power Structure. Plus, Another Russ Trade Option?

There have been stretches where leadership for the Lakers has been hard to find. No interviews, no communication, no insight. Lots of room for speculation. This... hasn't been on of those moments, at least as it relates to Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, who has been doing a ton of interviews in support of the Hulu doc on the team, for which she serves as executive producer. This time, she made some headlines in a conversation with The Athletic's Sam Amick. It started with comments about Russell Westbrook, who she initially called the team's best player last season, until (after Amick gave her a chance to clarify), she explained she meant most consistent. As in consistently available. Which is true, because Westbrook was available basically every night for a team that didn't get much of that. But while it makes sense for her to find positive things to say about Russ - he's likely to be around, folks - but Buss is lucky she had a chance to clean up the quote before it became a thing. Meanwhile, she complained that people still complain about things like Linda Rambis, and her role in the organization. Of course, Buss still hasn't really explained what that role is, information that would obviously go long way to clearing things up. Moreover, the issue with Linda Rambis isn't necessarily Linda Rambis, or even Kurt Rambis, as individuals. It's the insularity of the organization. People talk about money as a sign the team is very mom-and-pop, but it's more a question of infrastructure. Finally, some interesting comments about LeBron, and what it means for him to retire a Laker. Meanwhile, on the Westbrook trade front, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report notes how Russ could be the key to a Utah/New York deal around Donovan Mitchell, now that RJ Barrett is extending with the Knicks. But is the return worth more than what the Lakers get from Indiana, say, in a Hield/Turner deal? Even if it means holding on to one of the two first-round picks the Lakers control? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Jeanie Buss is talking, a lot. And almost stepped in it talking about Russell Westbrook. SEGMENT 2: Buss complains about people complaining about Linda Rambis... but still doesn't clarify what Linda Rambis does. SEGMENT 3: Is a trade with Utah and New York where the Lakers keep a first rounder better than costlier deals? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices