LeBron James’ Departure Has Jeanie Buss’ ESPN Story to Blame, Claims Analyst

An ESPN article came out a few months ago detailing Jeanie Buss' dissent towards leading superstar LeBron James.

LeBron James’ Departure Has Jeanie Buss’ ESPN Story to Blame, Claims Analyst

LeBron James and Jeanie Buss (Image via FirstSportz)

As soon as the news dropped that LeBron James was going to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, franchise governor Jeanie Buss posted a statement thanking him for his services.

In eight seasons, the Akron native had essentially turned around a struggling team into one that is a preseason contender on everyone’s books.

That sort of turnaround required James to dig into his contacts and relationships with other players, who would then arrive on the West Coast to play alongside him.

The 41-year-old is also credited with helping the organization and its mourning fans get through the dark times when Kobe Bryant passed away.

After that, to deliver the team’s first championship in nearly a decade made James god-like, at least to Lakers fans. But that is where the trouble started, as is now evident once he has left.

I don’t think he planned on leaving a year ago… LeBron, I think, was really bothered by that Jeanie Buss story from 6 or 7 months ago where they talked about the Lakers basically being over the LeBron experience… And that the Lakers didn’t appreciate him. I think that was a piece of it.

Nick Wright said on What’s Wright

The FS1 analyst was pointing to the ESPN story that came out a few months ago, detailing how Jeanie Buss was not happy with the way James felt he was the sole reason for the Lakers’ turnaround.

Nick Wright felt that since the league’s all-time leading scorer believed that he had a good relationship with the Lakers’ governor, that story, and the fact that the franchise’s top brass did not appreciate him, probably hit him hard.

RELATED
Shannon Sharpe Reminds Byron Scott About Kobe Bryant’s Late Struggles Defending LeBron James

LeBron James’ agent does not include Jeanie Buss or Rob Pelinka while confirming departure news

Some might dismiss the idea that Jeanie Buss’ actual feelings towards LeBron James were the reason for this split, as they might suggest that the four-time champion had not delivered in the years since.

LeBron James and GM Rob Pelinka
James and Pelinka (Image via Sports Illustrated/X)

When the news broke about James’ departure, it was Shams Charania who referenced what Rich Paul told him. But when it was the turn of the Klutch Sports CEO to speak on air, he said this:

We were treated with open arms and welcomed, starting with Magic when we first got there and won a championship.

Rich Paul told Jim Hill

What was evident from this conversation was how the super agent did not mention Jeanie Buss or GM Rob Pelinka, both of whom were part of the Lakers when his No. 1 client signed.

Giving credit just to Magic Johnson indicates that the Hall of Famer was probably the only one whom Paul and James felt was more welcoming than others, at least after whatever has transpired over the years.

RELATED
Shannon Sharpe Reminds Byron Scott About Kobe Bryant’s Late Struggles Defending LeBron James

Magic Johnson’s praise of LeBron James might give the final clue

While some might say that Magic Johnson might not have been able to get LeBron James to sign without Jeanie Buss’ blessing and Rob Pelinka’s input, the following post on X could give a clue.

I want to thank LeBron James and his super agent, Rich Paul, for taking a meeting with me back in 2018 when I was President of the Lakers and deciding to sign with us… I’ll always love and be grateful for him and wish him all the best in the next phase of his life, on and off the court!

Magic Johnson wrote

The billionaire did not add Buss or Pelinka, and only mentioned himself. That could be an indication that it was his decision after all. Moreover, Johnson has indicated in the past that Pelinka’s trying to get his job is why he left the Lakers’ front office.

All of these pointers could be circumstantial evidence. But when the incidents of the past few years, and even James’ indirect criticism of Pelinka in the past, are taken into account, maybe King knew his time was over.

Also Read: