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The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped six of their last 10 games, and criticism of the team increased Thursday after the Los Angeles Clippers knocked off their cross-town rival.
Following the team’s latest loss, LeBron James addressed the ESPN report detailing Lakers governor Jeanie Buss’ apparent frustrations with the four-time NBA champion. According to the report, internal Buss family conflicts led to the majority stake in the franchise being sold to Mark Walter last year.
James pushed back against any suggestion that he had fallen out with Buss.
“Honestly, I don’t really get involved in it or the reports or whatever the case may be,” James said Thursday.
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LeBron James and owner Jeanie Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers hug after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat during Game 6 of the NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
In addition to the alleged Buss family drama, the report floated several possible rifts between James and Buss, including the minority owner’s apparent belief that the four-time league MVP received excessive credit for the Lakers’ 2020 NBA title. Buss was also reportedly disappointed with James’ reaction after the Lakers selected his son, Bronny James, in the 2024 NBA Draft.
James’ level of involvement in decisions about Russell Westbrook was also mentioned in the report.
Addressing the report, Buss said in a statement, “It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he should be dragged into my family drama,” she said Thursday. “To say it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”
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James said he joined the Lakers eight years ago to return the franchise to its former greatness.
“Ultimately, when I came to this organization, my whole mindset was about restoring excellence,” James said. “The things I saw growing up with the Lakers — obviously I didn’t get to watch Showtime, but I know the history.
“So in the early 2000s with Shaq [O’Neal] and [Kobe Bryant]and then what Kob did and the couple run with him and Pau [Gasol]. So my whole mindset was like, ‘How can I get that feeling back into the Lakers organization?’
“And then I was able to do it with, you know, 14, 16 other guys that won the championship and brought the championship here.”
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss attends media day at the UCLA Health and Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., on Sept. 28, 2021. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
James also made it clear what he cares about.
“Honestly, I don’t care about articles. I don’t care about stories. I don’t care about podcasts and all that type of s—. It doesn’t bother me. I’m 41 years old and I watch golf every day. I don’t care about an article.
“I don’t care how anybody feels about me. If you know me personally, you know what I’m about. These guys know what I’m about and that’s all that matters. I couldn’t care less how anybody feels about me.”
Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on Oct. 5, 2025, in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
James said it’s typical for him not to be in close communication with Buss, but claimed the pair have remained on the same page.
“I don’t get it. It’s not like me and Jeanie talk on the phone, guys. I’ve never heard a report about it. Don’t make it out to be something it’s not. It’s always been mutual. It’s always been respectful. It’s always been a great partnership.”
James exercised the player option in his contract last offseason. It is unclear whether his run with the Lakers will end this coming summer, when he is scheduled to enter free agency after the 2025-2026 season.
The Lakers return to action on Saturday when they host the Mavericks in Dallas.
