LeBron James and Jeanie Buss’ relationship declined ahead of Lakers sale, according to a report.

Changes for the Lakers After Ownership Shift

The Los Angeles Lakers today look quite different compared to just a few months ago, following the sale of a majority stake in the team by the Bass family.

Jeannie Buss offloaded the stock to the current chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in June, marking a significant change after owning the majority since 1979.

Amid tension within the front office and between Bass and LeBron James, ESPN’s extensive reporting suggested that trouble was brewing.

Buss was reportedly unhappy with speculation that LeBron chose the Lakers during free agency in 2018 rather than the team actively pursuing him.

More recently, Bass expressed private dissatisfaction over what she viewed as the excessive influence of James and Anthony Davis’ agent, Klutch Sports, on the organization. She also voiced concerns about James’ perceived oversized ego during the time he and Davis were teammates.

In 2024, however, the Lakers made the controversial decision to select James’ son, Bronny, in the NBA Draft. Despite a challenging single year at USC, primarily due to recovering from a cardiac arrest, Bronny was picked as the 55th overall selection.

Speculation arose that James had a role in that selection, which seems confirmed by ESPN’s reports. Buss reportedly felt conflicted, acknowledging that James should appreciate this decision but believing otherwise herself. During contract negotiations with LeBron that summer, she appeared resigned to the situation, almost reluctantly accepting the potential PR repercussions they faced if they didn’t keep him.

Representatives for both James and his agent did not offer comments on these matters.

Interestingly, Buss has been considering trading James to the Los Angeles Clippers as recently as 2022.

Following Jerry Buss’s passing in 2013, control of the team passed to his children, and Jeannie has been managing the franchise ever since. Reports indicate she’ll continue in that role for at least five more years.