About 20 employees of the Los Angeles Lakers have been told as the franchise plans to proceed into the expected lockout with a skeleton work crew in several operational areas.
The Los Angeles Times reports that both members of the Lakers’ video department were told earlier this week they would not receive contracts after this season. Last weekend, four of five members on the training staff were similarly informed their jobs would be eliminated in case of a lockout.
The Times also reported that most, if not all, of the Lakers’ scouting staff (about six employees) will not be retained after their contracts expire.
That’s on top of Coach Phil Jackson already saying he would not return after the season. The contracts of his four assistant coaches – Brian Shaw, Chuck Person, Jim Cleamons and Frank Hamblen — will expire on June 30. And part-time assistant coaches Craig Hodges and Laker legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are also in the last years of their contracts.
The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires June 30. There has been little progress in negotiations between players and owners, forcing some teams to begin cost-cutting measures.
The Lakers have just signed a 20-year, $3 billion — yes, with a B — television deal with Time Warner.
