A disappointing regular season ended with the resignation of president Magic Johnson — who announced he was stepping down in a bizarre news conference prior to the Lakers’ final game — and the firing of head coach Luke Walton. Instead of aggressively seeking a front-office replacement to start a coaching search (like, say, Warriors president Bob Myers), the current members of Los Angeles’ organization have only grown more powerful, including general manager Rob Pelinka.

MORE: Magic’s resignation leaves LeBron staring at dark Lakers future

Despite the dysfunction, the Lakers landed on James’ former Cavs coach, Tyronn Lue. It was essentially a done deal — no other candidates left, no last-minute interviews, no reason to believe anything else would happen. But this is the Lakers we’re talking about. Nothing is ever that simple.

Multiple reports emerged Wednesday night revealing Lue and the Lakers had reached an impasse with no contract in place. Then it really went south. Here’s a breakdown of just how, exactly, Los Angeles missed out on landing Lue, extending what has already been an embarrassing coaching search.

— Shortly after the news of a stalemate, it became clear Lue would not be the next head coach of the Lakers. Did Lue decide to bow out, or did the Lakers move on? It depends on the person answering the question.

— The main issue in negotiations was contract length. Lue reportedly wanted a five-year deal, but the Lakers stopped at three years for around $18 million. Lue believed his championship experience warranted a long-term commitment; Los Angeles’ unwillingness to add the extra security may have rubbed Lue the wrong way.

One league source told Marc Stein of The New York Times the Lakers treated Lue “like a first-time coach.” (Just to compare, Lue’s last extension with the Cavs was for five years, and Walton’s contract with the Lakers was also for five years. Monty Williams, another Lakers candidate, recently got five years from the Suns).

MORE: LeBron disputes rift with Lakers front office

— Another factor in play: Lue didn’t have much choice in his own staff. The Lakers pushed for Jason Kidd, who had interviewed for the job, as an assistant on Lue’s bench. Former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel was also floated as a Lakers assistant. (Vogel will interview for the head position now that Lue is out).

David Blatt beat out Lue for the Cavs job in 2014, but Lue stayed with the team as Blatt’s top assistant. Just a year later, Lue took over when Blatt was fired. He knows better than anyone how this game can work.

Still, Lue was willing to coordinate with the Lakers on his staff, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. That’s how much he wanted to be the head coach of the Lakers — and that’s how badly they bungled this whole thing.

— With the coaching search extended, the Lakers are looking at a few retreads, including Vogel, Lionel Hollins and Mike Woodson, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Los Angeles will also keep Kidd and Heat assistant Juwan Howard, who both completed interviews in April, on its board. What an inspiring list!

And if Lakers fans aren’t mad enough, there’s also the fact team advisor Kurt Rambis is playing a “major role” in the coaching search, according to Woj. Yes, this Kurt Rambis…

Come one, come all! The circus is at Staples Center! Step right up and you might be the Lakers’ next coach!