The Los Angeles Lakers front office received a ton of criticism from the fanbase after their offseason of inactivity. Despite chasing improvements to the roster, GM Rob Pelinka has failed to make any additions except for drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. The same group that lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round last season is coming back for another run, the only change being first-time head coach JJ Redick this time around.

As Lakers fans understandably grow frustrated with the leadership, we are getting a better idea of what went down this summer. The latest reporting by Lakers insider Anthony Irwin offers a brutal insight into the incompetence of the top brass. According to his sources, one of the main factors for the Lakers’ inability to make moves is the perception of them as an “inept and desperate organization” around the league.

“Another major factor in the Lakers’ stagnant summer: a league that feels it can take advantage of what it considers an inept and desperate organization.”

– Anthony Irwin, Lakers Daily

One example Irwin provides to back his claim is the ongoing Jerami Grant negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers. It has been reported that the Portland Trail Blazers are asking for two first-rounders to trade Grant to the Lakers. This is understandably considered a ridiculous price for a 30-year-old non-All-Star player on a less-than-ideal contract. However, teams like Portland know that the Lakers are desperate and incompetent, so they feel like they can increase their asking price.

Regardless of whether one thinks this is fair or not, it is the current reality. This alone should be considered enough of a reason to make serious changes in the decision-making room. If other teams believe that your front office can be taken advantage of, you need to change that front office. Unfortunately, however, Jeanie Buss has been unwilling to make those tough but necessary decisions and Lakers fans have to pay the price.