The governor doesn’t acknowledge the king.
Jeanie Buss, owner of the Lakers, has expressed dissatisfaction with star player LeBron James, specifically regarding his “overinflated ego” and the influence he and Klutch Sports purportedly have over the franchise, according to sources referenced by ESPN. A striking report came out on Thursday.
Buss, aged 64, reportedly feels that James lacks accountability, particularly when it comes to the unsuccessful trade for Russell Westbrook prior to the 2021-22 season.
Currently, James is in his eighth and likely final season with the Lakers after joining during the 2018-19 season, a move that marked a significant moment for the team.
His arrival helped rejuvenate a franchise that had not made the playoffs for five consecutive seasons before he stepped in.
In his first year, the Lakers did not reach the playoffs but went on to win their 18th championship during the “bubble” season in 2020.
ESPN indicates that while players often receive credit for turning franchises around, Buss wasn’t pleased that James was perceived as the team’s “savior.”
Buss felt that management, rather than James, should have been recognized for persuading him to join, rather than the narrative that he single-handedly helped elevate the team.
Team officials have long claimed that James signaled his intention to join the Lakers back in early 2017, way before the 2018-19 free agency period.
During the 2021-22 season, Westbrook’s arrival created tension; the pairing of two elite players of the 2010s seemed promising but resulted in a disappointing 33-49 record, leaving the Lakers out of the postseason.
The trade was supposedly made to satisfy James, but once it became problematic, Buss felt that he did not take responsibility for it.
Buss’s opinion of James reportedly declined to such a degree that she thought about trading him during the 2022 season after he declined a contract extension.
She felt slighted by James’ reaction to the Lakers drafting his son Bronny in a controversial choice during the 2024 NBA Draft.
People close to the organization told ESPN that Buss felt LeBron should have shown more appreciation for the team’s achievements, especially since it led to a historic father-son moment in the league, but the four-time NBA champion didn’t express that gratitude.
Buss’s feelings toward James even prompted her to consider extending his contract through the summer of 2024 in order to avoid negative publicity from simply letting him go.
These dynamics surfaced in what is likely James’ last season with the franchise after he opted into a $52.6 million contract for the year.
Thus far, he’s averaging 22.5 points across 25 games, breaking a remarkable streak of 21 consecutive All-Star Game selections.
As it stands, the Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 26 wins and 16 losses.
ESPN’s detailed investigation also pointed out internal dysfunction within the Buss family during the franchise’s $10 billion sale to billionaire Mark Walter.
