The Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves navigating renewed scrutiny after a report detailed alleged internal tension between franchise cornerstone LeBron James and team governor Jeanie Buss.
While the report reignited debate about where the power lies within one of the NBA’s most visible organizations, head coach JJ Redick moved quickly to reinforce a message of backing around his superstar.
LeBron James appears to flip off the Nuggets’ bench
Speaking on Thursday, Redick offered unequivocal support for James, framing his tenure with the Lakers as a peaceful environment rather than one filled with conflict.
“Everybody in this organization appreciates LeBron and appreciates what he’s done for the Lakers,” Redick said on Thursday.
“He’s carried on the legacy and also, truthfully, the burden of being a superstar for the Los Angeles Lakers for eight years and he’s done it with class.”
The head coach went further by underlining his personal experience coaching the four-time MVPL “Personally, I’ve enjoyed coaching him at the highest level – 10 out of 10,” he added.
“That’s not to say LeBron and I don’t have our disagreements, but I know with that guy, he’s going to put everything into this. And it’s been awesome to coach.”
Context behind the reported tension
Those remarks came one day after ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported private frustrations voiced by Jeanie Buss.
According to the report, Buss had ‘privately grumbled’ about what she viewed as James‘ ‘outsized ego’ and the overt control that he and Klutch Sports, which represents both James and Anthony Davis, exerted over the organization.
HolmesBuss ‘privately mused’ about not offering James a contract extension in 2022 and later even considered the possibility of trading him, with the LA Clippers mentioned internally as a hypothetical destination.
The early days of James‘ arrival in 2018 were another apparent friction point, with Buss reportedly uncomfortable with the perception that LeBron was seen as a savior for a struggling franchise rather than credit being shared with team leadership.
Buss responds, denies LeBron rift
Despite the explosive nature of the report, Buss addressed the situation directly in a statement as she attempted to close the door on speculation of personal animosity.
“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,” Buss said.
“To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”
From an organizational standpoint, Redick occupies a unique position in this saga. Hired in June 2024, he was not present for much of the duration of James and Buss‘s relationship.
Still, his early results lend credibility to his message of cohesion. Under Redick, the Lakers have compiled a 76-48 record, and James has continued to perform at an elite level.
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, James is averaging 23.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three-point range, and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Whatever private frustrations may exist, LeBron remains fully invested on the court. And with Redick publicly backing his star and Buss pushing back against interpretations of disloyalty, the franchise is attempting to move on quickly from any reports of unrest.
