The scrutiny on the Warriors front office is more palpable than ever. To have an upheaval during this time… Kent Lacob was a direct line between the team ownership and the front office. While his dad is the owner of the team, Kent climbed the ranks to become the Warriors’ vice president of basketball development. With no buildup at all, Kent suddenly resigned from his position. Usually this kind of move is a sign of internal strife. And when your dad is your boss, maybe a lot more. However, Joe Lacob put all the speculation to rest.
Kent gave his notice before June’s NBA draft. As per The Athletic, Kent’s resignation also surprised his old man. Joe Lacob was reportedly, “caught off guard,” and “took a moment” to process it.
There was no indication this was coming. In fact, it’s a busy season for front offices leaguewide. For the Dubs, it’s about deciding on Jonathan Kuminga who the Lacobs are very reluctant to let go. Whispers of Kent’s apparent rebellion against the family made it on to social media.
Now we know what was Joe’s reaction when Kent personally told him the news a month ago. “He stared at his boy, processed the news, then uttered his initial response. ‘Well,’ he said, ”that took some balls.’”
A ballsy move indeed. It’s a big move to walk away from the family’s – Joe Lacob’s specifically – 25% share of a $9.4 billion franchise. Lacob’s stake in the team is valued at $2 billion net of debt.
An indication of how much Lacob is involved in front office decisions could be the Kuminga situation. Despite the youngster’s demand to be traded, Joe Lacob remains a fan and wants to realize his full potential in the bay unlike the management’s desire to hold him till the trade deadline. A rival team’s GM anonymously said, “They have had plenty of chances to trade Jonathan Kuminga in the last two or three years, and even longer than that… But it’s dangerous for a front office when the owner falls in love with a player and that’s what happened here. What they’re dealing with now is the fallout of that.”
Amid the turmoil of this Lacob-orchestrated ‘fallout,’ the Warriors are losing a key figure in Kent Lacob. So some even speculated online that his dad’s interference in the Kuminga matter was the reason. The truth though is way farther than the drama.
What Joe Lacob feels about Kent’s move?
Almost immediately after news of Kent Lacob’s exit broke, the family clarified the situation. Although Joe Lacob was surprised, he is very supportive of his son. There was no family drama that preceded this apparently drastic decision.
Kent reiterated to the NY Times publication that nothing bad happened. Then why? “He loves this so much. Basketball. The Warriors. The family pride. The pressure to maintain the standard of excellence they’ve built,” per The Athletic reporter, Marcus Thompson II.
The 32-year-old who played basketball at Washington University has a long career ahead and he didn’t want to compete with his own privilege within the family business. He didn’t quit a job, he stepped out of his father’s shadow. Joe is not mad about it, he acknowledged what a brave move it is to leave his comfort zone in fact. His only concern for his son is that Kent has no backup plan yet.
Kent was no deadbeat nepo-baby. Among the smart decisions he’s made was batting for Gary Payton II. Even if he’s not got another job lined up, he’ll likely have no trouble figuring out his next move. It’s now on the Warriors front office to navigate the Kuminga situation without a Lacob in their midst.
The post Warriors Family Drama Ruled Out As Billionaire Joe Lacob Responds To Son Kent Lacob’s Departure appeared first on EssentiallySports.