LeBron James
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Lakers' LeBron James during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in January 2025
Recent headlines have been dominated by a report detailing tension between LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers governor and minority owner Jeanie Buss.
The story, published by Baxter Holmes of ESPN, claimed Buss had grown frustrated with James, citing a perceived lack of appreciation and what was described as an outsized ego.
The report went further, alleging Buss once considered not re-signing James and even explored the idea of trading him to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022.
Buss has since denied any frustration with the Lakers superstar, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Still, the topic resurfaced on Thursday night as the Lakers fell 112-104 to the Clippers, when James was asked directly about the report.
LeBron James Responds to ESPN Report
On the court, James finished with 23 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 9-of-19 shooting, but the game was quickly overshadowed by what followed postgame.
When questioned about the ESPN article, the 41-year-old delivered a passionate and lengthy response.
“Quite frankly, I don’t really get involved in that, or the reports, or whatever the case may be, I’ve seen a lot of it, obviously,” James told reporters. “You guys know me, you guys know since I’ve been here, it’s my eighth year here, I’ve been in this league 23 years, there’s going to be another article tomorrow, especially involving me.”
“I don’t care about articles. I really don’t. I don’t care about stories, I don’t care about podcasts and all that type of sh-t. It don’t bother me. I don’t care how somebody feel about me. If you know me personally and then you know what I’m about. These guys know what I’m about, and that’s all the matter. I couldn’t care less how somebody feel about me.”
Framing His Time in Los Angeles
The conversation then shifted toward James’ original motivations for joining the Lakers in free agency in 2018 and his broader vision for the franchise.
“At the end of the day, when I came to this organization, my whole mindset was about restoring excellence,” he added. “And I was able to do that, along with 14-16 other guys winning a championship, bringing a championship here. That’s always been my mindset.”
James delivered on that goal in 2019-20, leading the Lakers to an NBA title. Still, his tenure has remained under constant scrutiny.
Outside of a deep playoff run in 2022-23 that ended with a Western Conference Finals sweep by the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles has endured first-round exits and missed postseasons during his time with the franchise.
James is currently in the second year of a two-year, $101 million contract, a short-term structure he has often favored throughout much of his career.
After exercising his player option, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026, a decision point that continues to fuel speculation about his future in Los Angeles.
When addressing his relationship with Buss directly, James pushed back on the notion of dysfunction.
“I thought it was good… there’s always two sides of the coin,” he said. “At the end of the day, how I represented this franchise and what I wanted to do to represent this franchise… has been with the utmost respect, and honor, and dignity. I would say loyalty, I mean sh-t, I’ve played here longer than any other franchise I’ve played for, besides Cleveland and that was a seven and a four.”
“We never talk, I don’t understand… don’t make something out of it that it’s not. It’s always been mutual, it’s always been respect, it’s always been a great partnership… come on guys, don’t make this more than what it is. I don’t care.”
As the media availability came to a close, James summed it up succinctly.
“Everybody’s crazy,” he said, gesturing to the same phrase stitched across his hoodie.