Jeanie Buss‘ recent actions have sparked controversy among fans and insiders regarding her relationship with Lakers superstar LeBron James. The Lakers Governor has publicly expressed her desire for James to retire in Purple and Gold, yet an internal report from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes suggests otherwise. Holmes alleged that Buss had begun to turn against the Lakers’ star player, raising concerns about the dynamic between the two.
Fans quickly took to social media to investigate further, with one user on X, ‘LakersSpin,’ questioning Buss’s Instagram profile picture. The image shows her hugging LeBron James after the Lakers clinched their 17th NBA Championship by defeating the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the Finals. While some speculated that this was a recent change to mend fences with James, it turns out the profile picture has been the same for quite some time. This revelation led many to believe the rumored rift might not be as real as it seems.
Jeanie Buss addressed the rumors directly in a statement to The Athletic, stating, “It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled into my family drama. To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.” Despite her denial, ESPN’s report painted a different picture, alleging dissatisfaction on Buss’s part regarding James’s perceived “outsized ego” and Klutch Sports’ influence over team decisions. Klutch Sports notably manages both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, two of the Lakers’ biggest stars.
The report also claimed that Buss was once prepared to trade James to the Clippers and felt he wasn’t grateful enough for the Lakers drafting his son, Bronny James. These alleged issues have fueled speculation among fans, with many calling for Buss’s removal from her role within the Lakers organization. One fan commented online, “She is such a two-face,” while another described her response as mere damage control, saying, “Fine PR statement, @JeanieBuss & a weak attempt at damage control.”
The turbulent relationship between Buss and LeBron
Adding fuel to the fire was the Lakers’ lack of public recognition when LeBron opted into his $52.6 million player option for his 23rd NBA season. The team made no social media posts or official announcements celebrating his decision to stay, which further raised eyebrows among fans. This silence contrasted sharply with how other franchises typically react when retaining a player of James’s caliber.
The ESPN report also touched on Buss’s frustration with how LeBron was seen as a savior for the franchise while taking no accountability for the Russell Westbrook trade. The Lakers front office reportedly orchestrated the move to acquire Westbrook in an effort to appease James, but it backfired spectacularly. The team missed the playoffs, and Westbrook was eventually traded away after two tumultuous seasons.
While Buss continues to deny these claims, fans remain skeptical about her true feelings toward LeBron James. One netizen remarked, “Lmaoo, this shit is all fake for engagement.” Another wrote, “PR sir, pr,” implying that Buss’s statements were crafted solely to avoid further backlash. The drama surrounding Buss and James has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the franchise’s credibility, leaving many wondering what lies ahead for the Lakers.
