The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to the spotlight, but the latest headlines swirling around the franchise aren’t about wins or losses. They’re about power, perception, and the legacy of one of the NBA’s most iconic organizations - all centered around LeBron James.
Tensions within the Lakers' ownership structure have once again come into focus, and it dates back to 2022, when internal frustrations reportedly pushed team governor Jeanie Buss to consider the unthinkable: trading LeBron James. According to reports, the idea of sending LeBron across the hallway to the Clippers was floated, but ultimately shut down by his no-trade clause. That moment may have passed, but the ripple effects are still being felt.
The conversation reignited recently thanks to pointed comments from analyst Chris Broussard, who didn’t hold back. He argued that the Buss family should be thankful LeBron chose to join the Lakers, going as far as to claim that without him, the Buss children would be viewed as “abject failures.” It was a strong statement - and one that struck a nerve, especially as the franchise navigates a new era under billionaire owner Mark Walter, who acquired the team in a $10 billion deal.
Since that sale, change has come quickly. Jesse and Joey Buss, longtime fixtures in the front office and members of the late Jerry Buss’s inner circle, were removed from their roles despite the team’s promising start to the season. That move raised eyebrows across the league and fueled speculation about the direction of the franchise under its new leadership.
To understand the weight of this moment, you have to go back to the foundation. Jerry Buss didn’t just own the Lakers - he built them into a global basketball brand.
After his passing in 2013, the family dynamic shifted, and Jeanie Buss eventually emerged as the sole family voice in the organization. That consolidation of power brought both clarity and conflict.
Now, with the Buss family’s influence fading and new ownership stepping in, the future feels uncertain.
But amid the noise, LeBron’s camp has taken a more measured approach. Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent and CEO of Klutch Sports, addressed the situation on his Game Over podcast in a conversation with Max Kellerman.
Paul emphasized that the relationship between LeBron, Klutch Sports, and the Lakers has remained respectful and productive. He pointed to the 2020 NBA championship - won in the Orlando bubble - as proof that the partnership has delivered results.
Paul also highlighted how both LeBron and Anthony Davis, another Klutch client, played pivotal roles in bringing the Lakers back to the top. For him, actions speak louder than media narratives. The championship banner hanging in Crypto.com Arena is all the evidence he needs.
Still, questions linger. With new ownership in place and a shifting power structure, how the Lakers handle LeBron - both on and off the court - will shape how this era is remembered.
Will it be seen as the final chapter of a legendary career carried out with respect and purpose? Or will it be marked by internal strife and missed opportunities?
One thing’s for sure: the Lakers aren’t just managing a roster - they’re managing a legacy. And how they navigate this moment will say as much about the franchise’s future as it does about its storied past.