Lakers forward LeBron James told reporters on Thursday that he’s unfazed by an ESPN report that claimed team owner Jeanie Buss privately griped about his ego and outsized influence within the organization and considered trading him earlier in his Los Angeles tenure.
“Quite frankly, I don’t really care about articles,” James said, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I really don’t. I don’t care about stories. I don’t care about podcasts and all that type of s–t. Nah, they don’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 somebody feels about me. If you know me personally and you know what I’m about, (my teammates) know what I’m about, and that’s all that matters. … I can care less how somebody feels about me.”
Jeanie issued a response to Wednesday’s report, which focused primarily on Buss family drama and the decision to sell the team to Mark Walter. In a statement to The Athletic, she said the idea that she doesn’t appreciate what James has done for the franchise is “just not true and completely unfair to him.”
Asked specifically on Thursday about his working relationship with Jeanie, LeBron said he believes they’re on good terms.
“But, you know, somebody could see it another way,” James said. “It’s always two sides of the coin. … How I represented this franchise, and what I wanted to do to represent this franchise since when I got here until now, it’s been with the utmost respect and honor and dignity. And I would say loyalty. I mean, s–t, I played here longer than pretty much any other franchise I played for besides Cleveland.”
ESPN’s report, written by Baxter Holmes, cited several specific moments or incidents over the years that allegedly irked Buss. For instance, according to Holmes, she chafed at the fact that – after pushing the Lakers to trade for Russell Westbrook – James seemed to wash his hands of that move when it didn’t work out, leaving management to take the blame.
Holmes also wrote that Buss didn’t like LeBron being painted as the “savior” of a struggling franchise when he signed with the Lakers as a free agent in 2018.
“My whole mindset was about restoring excellence,” James said on Thursday of his decision to join the Lakers. “The things that I saw growing up with the Lakers — obviously, I didn’t get an opportunity to watch the Showtime (era), but I know the history. Then the early 2000s with Shaq and Kobe, and then what Kobe did and those couple runs with him and Pau. So, my whole mindset was like, how can I get that feeling back to the Lakers organization?
“… I was able to do that along with, you know, 14, 16 other guys winning the championship, bringing the championship here. That’s always been my mindset.”
Even if – as Holmes’ reporting suggested – Buss privately harbored some level of resentment toward LeBron, those feelings never actually impacted the moves the Lakers made with the four-time MVP. James has signed three maximum-salary or near-max multiyear contracts with the Lakers, most recently in 2024 when he agreed to a two-year, $101.4MM deal that made him one of just two NBA players with a formal no-trade clause.
Asked on Thursday, if he would consider waiving that NTC or if he wants to finish out the season with the Lakers, the 41-year-old laughed and replied, “I’m good. I’m good” (Twitter video link).
Righhht… for all his greatness he has rabbit ears the size of Texas. He’s the most insecure athlete ever.
Somebody is speaking the truth. If it didn’t bother you, you wouldn’t have had such a lengthy statement. When you start to mature and like you learn less is best. But also when something bothers you or somebody feels guilty of something they tend to to over defend themselves or talk a lot. Bottom line is LeBron has been selfish and if it wasn’t for the little bubble championship you really hadn’t income as much in La. Trading teammates just the whole toxic environment and The owners are ready to move on. They will not resign LeBron and Brian will be cut next year.
There are only two possible destinations for LeBron getting traded to Golden State. Not really sure that will help them at all. Or going to Cleveland. Any team outside of that just further diminishes your legacy
LeBron is not going to GSW unless Lakers take Butler’s contract. Why would Lakers do that? They don’t want to have dead payroll next year.
And he wants to act like he’s too good for listening to podcasts as he’s had 2 big ones and his agent and business partner just started one with The Ringer. Not to mention the production company he owns. He cares. If you want an example of a star that truly doesn’t care look at Jokic.
it matters to LeBron. He knows he is on the way out and they no longer will allow him to run the team. That NTC means that he will want an extension if traded. Watch and see.
He’s going to want to stick with his kid. Can’t blame him for that and no way he leaves mid-season.
You never know. Trading his payroll hit is the thing that will keep him there.
Lebron publicly campaigned for Russell Westbrook to be a Laker. He basically demanded that he needs him in order to compete for another title. It’s funny how insecure and zero accountability this guy gives us on an annual basis. He backed the front office to draft his son when there were MORE needs on the team than having a nepotism pick milestone for his career/legacy.
NBA does not revolve around LeBron anymore and he can’t stand it. It’s a new generation of fans and players that made this sport a global sport. He’s on his way out and he has zero control of the situation anymore except he will play long as any team will fork over a blank check to him hoping to save their franchise.
Jerry, I see this as your next marketing scheme for 2026-27 season. :-)
Somebody will sign Lebron next year to put butts in the seats.
Watch Seattle gets a team and he signs there so fans can come back out in the expansion season.
LMAO
he actually wants a team in Vegas.
Cool story Baxter, nobody cares about your drama.