The Los Angeles Lakers are grappling with issues that extend far beyond defence or trade rumours, as a new ESPN report reveals deep internal friction involving ownership, LeBron James and the influence of Klutch Sports.
The feature suggests that long-simmering power dynamics inside one of the NBA‘s most storied franchises have finally surfaced.
In a detailed piece by Baxter Holmes for ESPN, Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is described as having decisively consolidated control following the sale of the franchise to the Mark Walter Group in a deal valued at $10 billion.
According to the report, Buss moved to remove her siblings from positions of influence, ending years of internal family tension that traced back to the era of her father, Dr Jerry Buss.
The most striking revelations centre on Buss‘ reported private frustrations with LeBron James and the reach of his longtime agent and business partner Rich Paul, whose firm Klutch Sports represents several high-profile NBA players.
“Jeanie privately grumbled… about what she felt was James‘ outsized ego and the overt control that he and Klutch Sports… exerted over the organization at times,” Holmes wrote.
While the comments are jarring, they echo a sentiment heard quietly around the league. Many executives have voiced concerns over the growing influence of elite agencies, particularly when their clients are generational talents capable of shaping roster decisions.
Influence, loyalty and a public response
The timing of the report added fuel to an already sensitive moment for the Lakers. It landed amid renewed debate around roster direction and public remarks from Paul that appeared to float the idea of moving Austin Reaves, a fan favourite approaching free agency after turning down an extension. That episode reportedly intensified frustration within the organisation.
Holmes‘ feature also claims Buss was unsettled by what she perceived as a lack of gratitude from James after the Lakers drafted his son Bronny James.
The move drew widespread scrutiny, particularly because of the $4.4 million in guaranteed money attached to a second-round pick, a decision many around the league viewed as highly unusual.
James, a four-time NBA champion and 21-time All-Star often compared with Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest player of all time, did not address the report directly. Instead, he chose symbolism. On Instagram, he reposted a close-up image of his Nike “Shut Up and Dribble 23s”, prominently featuring the words “Still King”.
He reinforced the message moments later by commenting on the post in capital letters, “STILL,” accompanied by a shouting emoji.
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