It’s never a dull day for the Los Angeles Lakers as another bombshell story dropped, this time involving LeBron James.
The Buss siblings’ quarrel over the Lakers franchise has been well-documented, with Jeanie Buss eventually emerging as the controlling governor of the team. However, new details emerged that implicated Jeanie had started to turn on James following his involvement in the Russell Westbrook trade. Apparently, Jeanie was so frustrated with James that she even tried to have him traded to the L.A. Clippers.
Since then, the team has been doing damage control by refuting any sort of dissonance between the organization and LeBron.
Head coach JJ Redick addressed the recent report and emphasized that he and the Lakers are appreciative of what James has done since arriving in Los Angeles, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
JJ Redick: “Everybody in this organization appreciates LeBron and appreciates what he’s done for the Lakers. He’s carried on the legacy and also, truthfully, the burden of being a superstar for the Los Angeles Lakers for eight years and he’s done it with class.”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 23, 2026
“And personally … I’ve enjoyed coaching him at the highest level – 10 out of 10. That’s not to say LeBron and I don’t have our disagreements, but I know with that guy, he’s going to put everything into this. And it’s been awesome to coach.” https://t.co/fEUyUTzbBJ
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 23, 2026
The reported grumbling over James’ status as the franchise’s savior seems to be overblown in Redick’s opinion and he even went out of his way to praise him for handling the pressure that comes with playing in Los Angeles. Redick also makes sure to add that coaching James hasn’t been a problem, another longstanding criticism of the star.
The Lakers’ shift to Luka Doncic has opened up a door to part ways with James seamlessly, and it’ll be interesting to see how much longer James dons the purple and gold.
Rich Paul responds to report of Jeanie Buss turning on LeBron James
Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul is one of the most visible agents in the league, oftentimes expressing his thoughts and opinions when others probably wouldn’t. For example, Paul responded to the report that his agency and James wielding too much power in the Lakers organization and Jeanie Buss turning on James.
Paul explained that reports come out every day and that only the parties involved can understand their relationship. Paul’s dismissal of the story was expected, though it’s only added to the reported drama between the two sides in recent years.
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