Buss denied ESPN's report that revealed her frustration with the Lakers superstar.
An ESPN article made headlines after it discussed the infighting and complicated dynamics of the Buss family in managing the Los Angeles Lakers. A key element of the online piece has been the reported frustration of Jeanie Buss toward LeBron James.
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But in the wake of the stunning reactions to this, the current Lakers governor denied the reporting and provided her comment to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled into my family drama,” Buss said. “To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”
Baxter Holmes' ESPN report noted that Buss complained privately about James' "outsized ego" and the significant influence she felt he and his agency, Klutch Sports, exerted over the Lakers. After the Russell Westbrook trade miserably failed in 2021-22, Buss also reportedly hated how James washed his hands and distanced himself from the accountability of the deal.
Buss also privately mused about not extending James' contract and even trading him, with the Clippers floated as a possibility. And when LA drafted Bronny James for the No. 55 pick of the 2023 Draft, Buss felt James should have been more grateful for the selection.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to four consecutive Finals appearances and a 2016 championship. He guided LA to win its 18th title in franchise history during the 2020 NBA bubble.
The Buss family sold the majority ownership stake of the Lakers to Mark Walter in a record-breaking $10 billion deal last October. Upon the purchase and as part of the agreement, Jeanie remains the team's governor and CEO for at least the next five years.
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