The Los Angeles Lakers have been full of surprises since the start of the 2024-25 season.
From unexpectedly acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to selling the majority stake of the franchise to Mark Walter, Los Angeles has earned a reputation for keeping its fanbase on its toes.
Last Thursday, the Lakers kept the trend alive, shockingly cutting ties with Jeanie Buss’ two brothers and business partners, Joey and Jesse, who held scouting positions with the franchise.
Shortly after the move, a detailed, drama-filled report involving the Buss clan and general manager Rob Pelinka was released to the public, helping outsiders understand why Los Angeles felt the need to make an early-season front-office move.
“Obviously, over the last two years, I’ve been dealing with quite a bit of health issues,” Jesse told the Athletic’s Dan Woike. “I’m currently undergoing treatment for that.
“And I kind of noticed around the same time that things were different within our organization, within the front office, and just the basketball operations department. I kind of felt siloed quite a bit, dating back to before, I guess, the 2023 draft. And I kind of didn’t think much of it.”
“But as time went on and there was a lack of communication between not only my sister (Jeanie-Lakers governor) and I, but the organization as a whole while I was combating various health issues, I kind of felt like the writing was on the wall. The sale of the team happening kind of more or less just solidified it in my mind.”
Jesse then noted that he hadn’t spoken to Pelinka or Buss in months, further adding to the tension among the three former coworkers.
“I haven’t spoken to either of them in … five months,” the 37-year-old stated. “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.”
Judging by Jesse’s candid sit-down with Woike last Thursday, it was only a matter of time before he and the Lakers went their separate ways.
While unfortunate, Jesse helped the Lakers land several talented backcourt and frontcourt assets over the years, as he made clear to Woike (Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura were the two examples he cited).
Simply put, Jesse’s run with the Lakers ran its course, resulting in what sounds like a much-needed change.
More NBA: Lakers sign college basketball legend, G-League superstar to help Luka Doncic