Earlier this week, ESPN's Baxter Holmes released a report on the Buss family's sale of the Los Angeles Lakers. In the report, it suggested that Lakers governor Jeanie Buss was annoyed by LeBron James' "outsized ego" and the control that Klutch Sports exerted on the organization.
James joined the Lakers back in 2018, with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul serving as his agent. He went on to win an NBA championship with the franchise in 2020.
Reportedly, Buss felt James lacked accountability after the Lakers' trade for Russell Westbrook led to a 33-49 season. It's also alleged that Buss felt James wasn't grateful when the franchise drafted his son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Mark Walter became the majority owner of the Lakers in 2025, though Buss is still involved in the organization through her current role.
Is There Drama in Los Angeles?
In a recent episode of the Game Over podcast, Paul dismissed the report involving his client.
“There’s an article written every day…Who gives a sh*t? I don’t. You don’t know what’s true, what’s not true."
Paul later commented on Klutch Sports' relationship with the Lakers.
"What I know is from the time we got in L.A., we've been treated great. There was a championship won… And in any relationship, no matter who it is, no matter how long you've been with somebody, there's gonna be some type of annoyance at some point. … There's just nothing to talk about there."
At 26-16, Los Angeles holds the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings. With averages of 22.5 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds over 25 games, the 41-year-old James is a key contributor for the playoff-hopeful Lakers.
James is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Whether he remains in Los Angeles or signs with a different NBA team, the 21-time All-Star is reaching the final stages of his playing career.
From a front office perspective, the franchise is likely to build around Luka Doncic for the foreseeable future.
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