Jeanie Buss reportedly grew frustrated with LeBron James years ago over his ego, Klutch Sports' influence, the Russell Westbrook trade, Bronny's draft, and even considered not extending or trading him to the LA Clippers.
Jeanie Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers' governor and now minority owner, was reportedly so frustrated with LeBron James that she privately considered not re-signing him – or even trading him – in 2022, including exploring a potential deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Baxter Holmes of ESPN.
LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron James
MIN: 33.18
PTS: 22.48 (57.07%)
REB: 6
AS: 6.96
ST: 1.04
BL: 0.64
TO: 2.84
GM: 25
Sources close to the team told ESPN that Buss grew increasingly concerned about James' ego and the influence of his agency, Klutch Sports, which also represents Anthony Davis.
At times, she reportedly felt that James and Klutch exerted too much control over the organization.
Per ESPN, Buss began to turn against the Lakers' star, grumbling privately about his outsized ego and the perception that he had single-handedly rescued a struggling franchise upon his arrival in 2018.
She reportedly felt that James received more credit than the team's leadership for bringing him to Los Angeles.
Tensions reportedly increased after the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in July 2021.
The deal, intended to appease James, backfired as the team went 33-49 and missed the playoffs, while James appeared to distance himself from the trade.
In the aftermath, multiple sources told ESPN that Buss privately questioned whether to extend James' contract and even considered trading him later that year, with the LA Clippers mentioned as a possible destination.
Credit FIBA
This was before James secured a no-trade clause in July 2024 as part of a two-year, $104 million deal.
When the Lakers drafted LeBron's son, Bronny, with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Buss reportedly felt that James should be grateful for the gesture, though she believed he wasn't.
Buss sold the team to Mark Walter in late October, at a valuation of $10 billion.
ESPN interviews with current and former Lakers staff and sources within the Buss family suggest that the post-Jerry Buss era has been marked by sibling rivalries, internal distrust, and even attempted coups.
Even after the sale, some family members continue to question whether it aligned with the family trust.
Under Jeanie Buss, the Lakers won the championship in the Orlando Bubble in 2020.
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