Jeanie Buss privately expressed frustration with LeBron James’ outsized influence within the Los Angeles Lakers organization, according to multiple team sources. The Lakers owner even considered trading James in 2022 after the fallout of the failed Russell Westbrook acquisition.
Team sources say Buss privately grumbled about what she perceived as James’ excessive ego and the control he and Klutch Sports exerted over the organization. She disliked that James was viewed as a savior for the struggling franchise when he arrived in 2018, preferring the team’s leadership receive credit for landing him.
The relationship deteriorated after the Lakers traded for Westbrook in July 2021. The team made the deal to appease James, but the acquisition backfired dramatically. The Lakers finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs entirely.
Buss privately bristled about James’ perceived lack of accountability after the trade. Team sources say she felt James shifted blame onto others rather than accepting responsibility for the failed acquisition.
In 2022, multiple people said Buss privately discussed not extending James’ contract. She later that year even mused about trading him, with the LA Clippers floated as a potential destination. This occurred before James received a no-trade clause in July 2024 after signing a two-year, $104 million contract.
When the Lakers drafted James’ son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Buss privately remarked that James should be grateful for the gesture. Team sources said she felt he was not appreciative enough of the decision.
That summer, as she discussed a new contract for James, Buss seemed resigned to the fact they would have to extend him. Sources close to the team said she begrudgingly accepted they would take a massive public relations hit by not doing so.
The Lakers did not offer James a contract extension during the 2025 offseason, which leads many to speculate this will be his final season with the franchise as they continue to pivot to Luka Doncic. Ahead of the 2024 trade deadline before James would become a free agent, the Lakers and Golden State Warriors briefly engaged on a James trade concept.