A lot of what has made this season so thoroughly soul-crushing has been how obvious it’s been that all kinds of people associated with the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to position themselves for whatever is next.
The front office saw players as mere assets and lashed out when they were called out for it. LeBron James was pulling a few of those strings, too. Veterans signed to one-year deals were willing to commit to the team only so long as it benefitted them to do so. It was the kind of season that can make fans cynical about what they’re watching.