The Los Angeles Lakers have never been short on star power or front-office intrigue, but the latest revelations surrounding the franchise’s internal dynamics are next-level - even by Hollywood standards. At the heart of it all? The ever-complicated relationship between team governor Jeanie Buss and LeBron James.
According to those close to the organization, tensions between Buss and LeBron didn’t just simmer - they boiled over in the aftermath of the team’s ill-fated trade for Russell Westbrook in 2021. The move, reportedly made to appease LeBron, backfired in spectacular fashion.
The Lakers stumbled to a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs entirely. And when things went south, LeBron - who’d been a driving force behind the deal - appeared to distance himself from the fallout.
Behind closed doors, Buss wasn’t thrilled. Sources say she voiced frustration about what she perceived as LeBron’s oversized ego and the influence he and Klutch Sports, the agency that represents both James and Anthony Davis, had over team decisions. She reportedly bristled at the narrative that LeBron had “saved” the Lakers when he arrived in 2018, feeling that the front office deserved more credit for landing him in the first place.
The Westbrook trade only widened the gap. Internally, there was talk that Buss even considered not extending LeBron’s contract in 2022 - and at one point, floated the idea of trading him altogether.
One destination that came up? The Lakers’ hallway neighbors, the Clippers.
That scenario, of course, never materialized. LeBron eventually signed a two-year, $104 million extension in July 2024, which included a no-trade clause.
But it’s worth revisiting just how close the Lakers were to making a very different move back in 2021. Before the Westbrook deal, the team was reportedly on the verge of acquiring sharpshooter Buddy Hield from Sacramento in a package that would have sent Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to the Kings.
That deal would’ve allowed the Lakers to keep Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and surround LeBron and AD with much-needed shooting. Instead, at LeBron’s urging, the Lakers pivoted to Westbrook - a decision that’s now widely regarded as one of the most glaring missteps of the James era in L.A.
The friction didn’t stop there. Buss was also said to be frustrated by what she saw as a lack of appreciation from LeBron after the Lakers drafted his son, Bronny James, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. It was a move that many viewed as a gesture of goodwill - and a nod to LeBron’s desire to play alongside his son - but it didn’t seem to generate the gratitude Buss may have expected.
It’s not uncommon for ownership to clash with star players. Buss wouldn’t be the first executive to entertain the idea of trading a franchise icon, only to be talked down by cooler heads in the front office. But her frustrations also speak to a broader truth about today’s NBA: the stars run the show.
Elite players don’t just impact the game - they are the business. They drive ticket sales, boost TV ratings, attract sponsorships, and sell jerseys.
In that context, even the league’s eye-popping max contracts (16 players are making over $50 million this season) can be considered a bargain. For a player like LeBron - who’s still producing at a high level at age 41 and remains a global brand - the value goes far beyond the stat sheet.
LeBron’s influence has always extended past the hardwood. He’s mastered the art of leveraging his power while maintaining the image of just another employee.
And he’s not alone - stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo have used their leverage to shape their teams’ futures as well. That’s the modern NBA.
The power dynamic has shifted, and owners - even ones with the legacy and stature of Jeanie Buss - are adjusting to that new reality.
As for what’s next, league insiders widely expect this summer to mark the end of the LeBron era in Los Angeles. Buss, still holding the title of team governor, may finally get the separation she once considered.
Whether that ushers in a new chapter for the Lakers or just another twist in their ongoing saga remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure - in L.A., the drama is never just on the court.