If you thought the Buss family drama was just limited to boardrooms and inheritance battles, think again. The Lakers’ internal tension over the past few years has extended far beyond the family tree and deep into the heart of the franchise - right to the feet of LeBron James.
In the aftermath of the Lakers’ ill-fated trade for Russell Westbrook in 2021, frustration didn’t just bubble up among fans. It reportedly echoed all the way to the top, with team governor Jeanie Buss herself growing increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the franchise - and with LeBron’s role in steering the ship.
According to people close to the team, Jeanie wasn’t thrilled with what she perceived as LeBron’s growing influence - not just on the court, but in the front office, too. That influence, of course, is closely tied to Klutch Sports, the agency that represents both James and Anthony Davis.
From Jeanie’s perspective, LeBron didn’t just join the Lakers in 2018 - he took the wheel. And while his arrival helped lift a struggling franchise back into relevance, there was a sense that the credit for that turnaround skewed too heavily toward the superstar, not the organization.
The tipping point came in July 2021, when the Lakers pulled off a blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook - a move largely seen as catering to LeBron’s preferences. On paper, it was a star-powered swing.
In practice, it was a disaster. The Lakers stumbled to a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs entirely.
Westbrook never fit, the chemistry was off, and the team looked nothing like a title contender. Through it all, James appeared to distance himself from the decision, despite his reported role in pushing for the deal.
Behind the scenes, Jeanie Buss took note. Sources say that in 2022, she even considered not offering LeBron a contract extension.
At one point, she reportedly floated the idea of trading him altogether, with the LA Clippers mentioned as a possible destination. That was before James re-upped with the Lakers in 2024, signing a two-year, $104 million deal that included a no-trade clause - effectively ending any speculation about a potential move.
It’s worth remembering that before the Westbrook trade, the Lakers were close to a very different deal - one that would’ve sent Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to Sacramento in exchange for sharpshooter Buddy Hield. That move would’ve preserved Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and surrounded LeBron and AD with much-needed floor spacing.
But reportedly at LeBron’s urging, the Lakers pivoted to Westbrook. The rest, as they say, is history - and not the kind Lakers fans like to revisit.
The tension didn’t stop with Westbrook. Buss was also reportedly frustrated that LeBron didn’t show more appreciation - or at least not publicly - after the Lakers drafted his son, Bronny James, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
That move wasn’t just about basketball; it was a gesture that acknowledged LeBron’s legacy and his desire to share the court with his son. But from Jeanie’s viewpoint, the gratitude didn’t match the gesture.
Now, to be clear, Buss wouldn’t be the first team executive to entertain the idea of moving on from a superstar. It’s a classic NBA power struggle - ownership versus the face of the franchise.
And in today’s league, the stars usually win. They drive revenue, fill arenas, sell jerseys, and keep sponsors happy.
As massive as some of these contracts are - and 16 players are pulling in $50 million or more this season - the return on investment for a true superstar still makes sense.
LeBron has long understood that equation better than most. He’s walked the line between player and power broker for years, often downplaying his influence with the “I’m just an employee” line, even as his fingerprints were all over key personnel decisions. He’s not alone - Giannis Antetokounmpo and other stars have flexed similar muscle - but few have done it with the same level of control and consistency as LeBron.
And at 41, he’s still producing. That’s the part that keeps the power dynamic in his favor. He’s not just a brand - he’s still a bucket.
But even power has an expiration date. League insiders expect that this summer, the Lakers and LeBron will finally go their separate ways. If that happens, it would mark the end of a complicated, often successful, but occasionally turbulent chapter in Lakers history.
Jeanie Buss may finally get the reset she’s been quietly mulling for years. Whether that leads the Lakers back to the top - or into another rebuild - is the next drama waiting to unfold.