Overview
- ESPN’s Baxter Holmes tied a Buss family rift to the 2025 sale to Mark Walter and reported Jeanie Buss privately grumbled about LeBron James and Klutch, including pondered 2022 scenarios after the Russell Westbrook trade.
- Jeanie Buss issued a statement calling it unfair to drag James into her family drama and rejecting the notion that his contributions were unappreciated.
- LeBron James told reporters such articles do not bother him, described mutual respect with Buss, and replied “I’m good” when asked if he wanted to finish the season in Los Angeles.
- Agent Rich Paul said on his Game Over podcast that it was a slow news week, emphasized that he and James have been treated great by the Lakers, and noted the 2020 title with multiple Klutch clients on the roster.
- The narrative remains speculative without concrete moves as Brian Windhorst defended James’ value and Shams Charania suggested the Lakers–LeBron relationship could be nearing an end.