The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with Jesse Buss, Joey Buss, and most of the team’s scouting department. The decision was made by Jeanie Buss, with approval from new majority owner Mark Walter. This move marks another chapter in the ongoing family disputes that have surrounded the franchise since Dr. Jerry Buss’s death 12 years ago.
Jeanie Buss previously dismissed her brother Jim from his position as Vice President of Basketball Operations, replacing him and Mitch Kupchak with Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson. Since then, Pelinka has remained a key basketball executive alongside Jeanie.
The recent firing appears to have been developing for some time. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, Jesse Buss stated:
“No, I haven’t spoken to either of them in … five months.”
When asked if he remembered why he had not spoken to Jeanie or Rob Pelinka during that period, Jesse said:
“Yeah. Jeanie informed me that there would be a vote on the sale of the team. And with Rob, he just informed me of who we would be drafting, which is pretty consistent with how it’s gone in the last couple years.”
With Thursday’s dismissals, Jeanie remains the only member of the Buss family still employed by the Lakers organization; other family members retain minority ownership stakes.
Mark Walter recently acquired a majority stake in the Lakers after building a reputation as an owner willing to invest heavily for championships through his leadership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The restructuring within the Lakers includes removing key figures from their long-standing scouting team and signals Walter’s intention to bring in new personnel.
Jesse Buss shared that his father had intended for him and Joey to eventually lead basketball operations for the franchise.
The changes come amid concerns about whether these decisions will affect future success for one of basketball’s most recognized teams.
