The L.A. Lakers are under new management, and big changes have begun to come down in Hollywood.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Lakers have terminated the contracts of front office executives Joey and Jesse Buss.
The brothers largely oversaw the scouting department, and are responsible for finding late-round and undrafted talent like Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Clarkson. Los Angeles also let go of "much" of its scouting staff, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
"We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons," Joey and Jesse Buss said in a joint statement. "Thank you to Laker Nation for embracing our family every step of the way. We wish things could be different with the way our time ended with the team. At times like this we wish we could ask our dad what he would think about it all."
Back in June, the Buss family sold the Lakers to Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter for a reported $10 billion. Joey and Jesse's sister, Jeanie, still leads the organization as governor, and will continue to do so for the next five years, as stipulated in the sale agreement.
The Buss Legacy in LA
Jerry Buss Lakers
Jerry Buss bought the Lakers for $67.5 million in 1979 and subsequently oversaw the most successful period in franchise history. Buss was one of the architects behind the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, who won five NBA championships between 1980 and 1988, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
He led the Lakers during another dynastic run a decade later, winning three titles in a row between 2000 and 2002 off the backs of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. The legendary owner was also around for LA's next two championships in 2009 and 2010.
Buss passed away in 2013, having led the Lakers to 10 NBA titles and 16 finals appearances in 34 years. His children took over control of the franchise after working for the team in various roles for years. Jeanie Buss was chosen as controlling owner in 2017 after the family clashed over control of the franchise.
Jeanie and her siblings upheld their father's legacy of success following his passing, guiding the Purple and Gold to the franchise's 18th championship in 2020, with another all-time great in LeBron James at the helm.