Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss released a statement Wednesday addressing an ESPN report that described her relationship with star forward LeBron James as “fractured.” The message was provided to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
The ESPN article, published Jan. 21, 2026, alleged that tension has grown between Buss and James over several issues, including his perceived lack of accountability for the 2021 trade that brought Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles, contract negotiations in subsequent years, and what the report called insufficient appreciation after the Lakers drafted his son, Bronny James, in 2024. The story also claimed Buss considered trading James in 2022.
In her statement, Buss said it was “not right” for James to be drawn into controversy “given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers.” No additional details of her comments were made public.
The scrutiny follows the Buss family’s agreement earlier this month to sell its controlling stake in the Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter for a record $10 billion valuation. Despite the sale, Buss is expected to remain team governor for at least the next five years.
James, 39, has not commented on the report. Now in his 22nd NBA season and sixth with the Lakers, he is leading a roster locked in a tight Western Conference playoff race.
Separately, James’s run of 21 straight seasons as an NBA All-Star Game starter ended this year, while teammate Luka Doncic topped fan voting. James publicly congratulated Doncic on the honor.
Source: Lakers Nation
