- Jeanie Buss says it’s unfair that LeBron James was linked to her family’s dispute over the sale of the Lakers.
- ESPN reporting quoted tensions involving LeBron, his agent Rich Paul and Klutch Sports as factors in the Buss family rift.
- Buss defended LeBron’s contributions and criticized coverage that tied him to private family matters.
- The story comes amid organizational changes after the Lakers’ sale to Mark Walter’s group.
Jeanie Buss responds to reporting
Jeanie Buss pushed back after an ESPN story about the Buss family’s internal infighting — which led to the franchise’s $10 billion sale — included claims about tensions involving LeBron James and his agent, Rich Paul. In a statement published by The Athletic, Buss called it “unfortunate” that a star player was “pulled into my family drama” and said it was “completely unfair” to LeBron given what he’s done for the Lakers.
What Buss said
Buss acknowledged the broader reporting about the family rift but clarified that bringing LeBron into those private disputes was wrong. She highlighted LeBron’s contributions to the organization and suggested the report mischaracterized his relationship with the franchise.
Strained ties: LeBron, rich paul and Klutch Sports
Reports cited frustrations in recent years over LeBron’s influence and the role of Klutch Sports, led by Rich Paul. Klutch’s representation of multiple top players, including Anthony Davis, was described as creating outsized influence inside the organization. The dynamic has resurfaced periodically, including a 2022 meeting intended to clear the air between Lakers brass, LeBron and Paul.
More recently, shifts in roster power — notably the arrival of Luka Dončić and the trade sending Davis to Dallas — changed the internal balance. Dončić is represented by a different agency, which some Lakers officials saw as reducing Klutch’s sway.
Public friction and trade talk
Rich Paul has occasionally made headlines for public trade proposals. One recent example involved suggesting the Lakers could pursue Memphis big man Jaren Jackson Jr. in a deal that would include Austin Reaves — a remark that prompted LeBron to say Paul spoke only for himself. Those public moments have fed narratives about divided voices and competing priorities inside the franchise.
Aftermath: ownership change and front-office shakeup
After the sale to Mark Walter’s ownership group was finalized, Buss was named team governor and several family members were removed from front-office roles. The Lakers’ on-court results since their 2020 title have been uneven, and the organization has faced criticism for draft decisions and roster planning.
Buss’s public defense of LeBron aims to separate a beloved player’s legacy from private family matters. As the Lakers navigate a new ownership era and ongoing roster questions, tensions between star players, their agents, and team leadership remain part of the story.
Follow reporting: The Athletic on Twitter
Source: Reporting from ESPN and The Athletic summarized by The New York Times’ Athletic section.
Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6990015/2026/01/21/lakers-jeanie-buss-lebron-james-relationship-comments/