(L-R) Bronny James #9 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on before the game against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on March 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

...

Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

For years, through the highs and lows, LeBron James seemed to always have at least one supporter in the Los Angeles Lakers front office: team owner Jeanie Buss.

The daughter of the legendary architect and madman Jerry Buss, who turned the Lakers from a side act in Los Angeles into one of the biggest sporting brands in the entire world, saw her relationship with James as special.

Even if coaches, players, and other high-ranking staff were gone, that connection between Jeanie and James was seen as the pillar between ownership and the team's star player.

Read More on NBA

On Wednesday, however, that image of stability was smashed to the ground, in a long-form expose by ESPN senior writer Baxter Holmes. In a striking feature, Holmes shed light on the Lakers' former ownership and their fractured view of the legendary basketball player, going in-depth about their continual lack of patience and the favor they held for James.

While Holmes went through a series of decisions that James made that annoyed the Buss family, the straw that broke the camel's back came two years ago at the NBA Draft.

More news: Lakers Urged to Keep LeBron, Trade Luka Doncic to Compete for NBA Title

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 and owner Jeanie Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers hug after winning the 2020 NBA Championship Final over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

...

More news: Lakers, Warriors, Knicks Holding Assets For Possible Giannis Trade: Report

Although he had played only briefly during his time with the USC Trojans, the Lakers celebrated when they selected James's son, Bronny, with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

While publicly the team championed this pick, flooding social media with photos of the heir to the James legacy and crafting an emotional angle on the father-son playing-together dynamic, it was a whole different story privately.

"And when the Lakers drafted James' son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately remarked that James should be grateful for such a gesture," Holmes wrote. "But she felt that he wasn't, people close to the team told ESPN."

The move soured Jeanie so much on the four-time champion that she didn't want to re-sign him for the upcoming season, but did so knowing the backlash from fans would follow.

James is on a one-year contract with the Lakers, and even with the Buss family now out, it is widely believed this could be the legend's final year in Los Angeles.

The Buss family sold the Lakers to Mark Walters last year for a historic $10 billion. Although no longer the owner, Jeanie is expected to stay on in a transitional role for a few years following the sale.

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines