According to sources, Dr. Jerry Buss "did not have deep confidence in Jim (Buss) as a basketball visionary or even someone with the grit to stay in charge of Lakers personnel for the long haul."

Jim Buss has had an active role in the Los Angeles Lakers' front office for many years, working alongside Mitch Kupchak.

The foundation of the Lakers' basketball operations was not expected to last.

"Jerry had a bit of a blind spot when it came to Jim, who suffered stunning deaths to a best friend and a girlfriend and was viewed by his father as a fragile soul," writes Ding. "Jim was also the child to whom Jerry was personally closest…and he was the only realistic option at the time among the children to handle the basketball post."

Jim Buss promised his siblings that the Lakers would be "in contention for a championship" within three years. Buss was confident LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony would sign in 2014 and he also told people Dwight Howard would re-sign in 2013. As recently as this season, Jim Buss told people that the Lakers would sign Kevin Durant this offseason and Russell Westbrook in 2017.