There’s been a fresh twist in the ongoing Lakers saga, and it’s one that’s getting fans talking. According to reporting from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, Jeanie Buss was not happy with how LeBron James reacted after the team drafted his son Bronny in the 2024 NBA Draft. Rather than seeing it as a feel‑good moment for the franchise and a milestone for James, Buss reportedly thought he should have shown more appreciation.
This is not just locker room talk. The tension over the Bronny pick is now being cited as another sign of a growing rift between LeBron and the Lakers’ front office and ownership decision-makers behind the scenes. Behind the scenes, people close to the team told ESPN that Buss expected gratitude and a public embrace of the moment, but felt like she did not get it.
Jeanie Buss Reportedly Didn’t Love LeBron’s Reaction To The Bronny Draft Pick
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When the Lakers used the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Bronny James, it was widely seen as a symbolic moment. It gave LeBron a chance to play with his son, which would be a first in NBA history, and it was a moment many fans saw as a feel‑good highlight for the franchise.
But behind the scenes, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported, “And when the Lakers drafted James’ son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately remarked that James should be grateful for such a gesture, but she felt that he wasn’t, people close to the team told ESPN.” The report said she believed he should have shown more gratitude to the organization for making the move possible.
That perceived lack of thanks did not sit well with Buss, according to people close to the team. She was not just disappointed. The reporting suggests she was frustrated enough that it added to her growing dissatisfaction with James’ approach to leadership and his role in the organization’s bigger decisions.
This is not happening in a vacuum. The Lakers have been navigating ownership drama, on‑court ups and downs, and past disagreements over personnel moves for some time. The Bronny pick was supposed to be a rare positive moment, but instead it highlighted unresolved tensions.
The Lakers’ Bronny Decision Turned Into A LeBron Loyalty Test Online
Once the reporting made the rounds, social media quickly turned the situation into a discussion about loyalty, respect, and what it really means to be grateful in the world of professional sports. Some fans argue that LeBron, one of the greatest players ever, shouldn’t be expected to publicly thank ownership because his job is to focus on basketball success.
Others say that even legends should show appreciation when a franchise makes a personal milestone possible. Holmes also added, “Jeanie privately grumbled… about what she felt was James’ outsized ego and the overt control that he and Klutch Sports… exerted over the organization at times,” Holmes writes. Klutch Sports was founded by Rich Paul, who also serves as its CEO, and the agency’s influence has been a common complaint around the NBA. Some fans also tried to connect it to recent chatter around the Lakers’ roster and representation.
There’s also the fact that the Lakers’ success over the past decade has been closely tied to LeBron’s presence. After years of struggling post‑Kobe, LeBron coming to Los Angeles helped the franchise win a title and brought stability that had been missing. Some observers see the reported frustration as missing that broader context.
At the same time, other fans view the whole situation as a reminder of how messy things can get when family, business, and basketball collide. The Bronny pick wasn’t just a basketball decision. It was personal, and those moments rarely stay simple in pro sports.
Whether this story fades or becomes a defining moment in the Lakers’ latest chapter remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: what was meant to be a unifying moment has instead sparked debate, heated takes, and a fresh round of Lakers drama.
Published: Jan 21, 2026 04:40 pm