How the Lakers’ Internal War Is Spilling Over Onto LeBron James
The conflict among the heirs of Jerry Buss has ended up directly dragging LeBron James into the spotlight, placing him at the center of a power struggle that has exposed the cracks inside one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.
The Los Angeles Lakers are living through one of the most turbulent periods in their modern history. What was once a symbol of stability and excellence is now caught in a power struggle among the heirs of the legendary Jerry Buss, a battle that has ultimately pulled in the team’s biggest star: LeBron James.
A recent investigative report revealed deep tensions between Jeanie Buss, the franchise’s governor, and different branches of the Buss family, showing how the superstar and his agency, Klutch Sports, have become part of the conflict. For many observers, LeBron’s name was used as a weapon in a fight that goes far beyond basketball.
The Rift Between Jeanie Buss and LeBron
According to multiple sources, Jeanie Buss gradually grew frustrated with LeBron James, especially after controversial basketball decisions such as the trade for Russell Westbrook. From her perspective, the influence of LeBron and Klutch Sports over key roster moves created internal resentment within the organization.
The situation is complex. LeBron arrived in 2018 as the savior of the Lakers and delivered a championship in 2020, but he also brought unprecedented power inside the front office. For a franchise that has always prided itself on being bigger than any individual player, that shift in control became uncomfortable—particularly as the team’s results declined.
The tension reportedly escalated when Jeanie even considered trading LeBron in 2022. Matters grew worse when Bronny James was drafted in 2024, a move some insiders felt was more about keeping the superstar happy than about basketball logic.
The Buss Family and a Crumbling Empire
While LeBron James became the public face of the controversy, the true battle is rooted in the fractured Buss family. Since Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, disagreements among his children have steadily intensified, eventually exploding into an all-out war for control of the franchise.
The recent sale of a major stake in the Lakers to billionaire Mark Walter, who also runs the Los Angeles Dodgers, marked a turning point. Although Jeanie Buss approved the deal, several of her siblings believe the team could have fetched an even higher valuation and strongly disagree with how the process was handled.
In that context, LeBron became an easy lightning rod. To some, he symbolizes the modern Lakers era; to others, he represents how the franchise lost part of its identity by giving too much power to a single superstar.
An Uncertain Road Ahead
Today, LeBron James remains the face of the Los Angeles Lakers, but his relationship with the front office no longer feels unbreakable. The arrival of new stars, shifting power dynamics, and the influence of Mark Walter all raise questions about how long this partnership can last.
What is undeniable is that the internal war within the Lakers is no longer just a family feud—it has put LeBron under the microscope. In a franchise where no one is supposed to be bigger than the badge, the King has found himself caught in the middle of a battle he never asked to fight.
