The Los Angeles Lakers have since been sold, but former owner Jeanie Buss apparently really did consider trading superstar LeBron James.
In a lengthy ESPN article about the sale of the Lakers and the dispute among the six siblings of the Buss family, there is also a passage about LeBron James. According to the article, Governor Jeanie Buss was more than annoyed by James’ “oversized ego” and the influence he wielded together with Klutch Sports, the consulting firm of his buddy Rich Paul.
Buss was annoyed that LeBron was celebrated for his arrival in L.A. in 2018, but at the same time, the Lakers were not praised for convincing James to sign. However, according to ESPN, LeBron had already informed the Lakers that he would be joining them more than a year before his move.
Another point of contention was the trade for Russell Westbrook in 2021, which the Lakers made to appease James. However, James took no responsibility for this move when it turned out to be a dud. Westbrook never settled in L.A. and was traded again after 1.5 seasons.
Did the Lakers want to trade LeBron?
A trade involving James was also reportedly on the table in 2022, when Buss is said to have considered not offering LeBron another contract. The L.A. Clippers were apparently ready to be the trade partner, but in the end, LeBron signed a new two-year, $104 million contract in July 2024, which suddenly included a no-trade clause.
In the same year, the Lakers finally drafted LeBron’s son Bronny with the 55th pick, and Buss was annoyed that LeBron did not show enough appreciation for this.
Buss denies in statement
Shortly after the feature was published in The Athletic, the 64-year-old issued a statement denying that the relationship between LeBron and her had been so bad. “That’s not true. LeBron has done fantastic things for the Lakers, and it’s not right that he’s now being dragged into the drama with my family. It’s not true that we didn’t appreciate him, and it’s completely unfair to him.”
The Buss family continues to hold 17 percent of the shares after the sale to Mark Walther, so Jeanie can still act as governor of the Lakers, i.e., representative at NBA meetings. Fifteen percent is required for this, and Buss will continue to fill this role for the next five years.