Magic Johnson’s resignation caught the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA world by surprise at season’s end. Without any public indication, Johnson relinquished his role as one of the most powerful executives in all of sports.

However, while there may not have been anything publicly that led to Johnson’s decision, behind the scenes, some backstabbing of sorts could have influenced the move.

On Colin Cowherd’s show on Wednesday, Bleacher Report senior writer and Fox Sports 1 analyst Ric Bucher detailed a story involving Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss.

“My understanding is that there were some emails that were exchanged between Rob and Jeanie…about Magic and about what Magic was and wasn’t doing. They were critical emails. And somehow, someway, Jeanie, from what I understand, was CC’ing or blind CC’ing Magic on everything. That was sort of protocol. Standard issue. Somehow, the exchange between Rob and Jeanie ended up on that string of the blind CC’s that were going to Magic. So, Magic now is seeing emails from Rob to Jeanie that were critical of what he was doing and maybe most important in all this is that there was no indication that Jeanie was backing Rob up in terms of either going to Magic and letting him know this was going on or going back at Rob and defending Magic. That was not happening and so when he talked about the backstabbing, to me, my understtanding that’s what started it. The fact that Jeanie waved goodbye and said ‘Thank you for all that you did’ was that she didn’t necessarily disagree with what Rob was saying.”

If true, this is just furthering what has been a terrible month for the Lakers. Even prior to Johnson’s resignation, the stories coming out about the front office were not encouraging. In the wake of the move, though, the stories are growing worse and worse.

This also isn’t the first time Buss and emails have been a matter of discussion. Emails from her about Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer created a stir earlier this season as well.

At best, this is a bad look for a franchise continuing to make a fool of itself. At worst, it’s another sign of the chaotic nature of the front office in which no one will be able to succeed.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story suggested that Magic Johnson’s resignation was caused by the purported leaked email chain. The story has been updated to reflect that this rumor is unconfirmed.