The Los Angeles Lakers made a surprising front office move on Thursday afternoon.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the organization elected to cut ties with Jeanie Buss’ (Lakers’ governor) two brothers, Joey and Jesse, after 20 seasons with the franchise.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are reorganizing their basketball operations department and terminating executives Joey and Jesse Buss from their respective front office positions, effective immediately,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
“Joey and Jesse Buss have had key Lakers scouting roles for the last decade, helping find players such as Austin Reaves, Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Max Christie.”
“Joey Buss' specific role was alternate governor and vice president of research and development, while Jesse Buss was the Lakers' assistant general manager.”
“We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons,” the Buss brothers said in an official statement. "Thank you to Laker Nation for embracing our family every step of the way.”
While the Buss brothers are understandably devastated about the Lakers’ decision to move on from them during the start of the 2025-26 season, they should take solace in the fact that they will still retain minority ownership following the franchise’s approved $10 billion sale to Mark Walter.
Jeanie, on the other hand, has the best of both worlds, as she not only receives minority ownership in the Lakers but also has the luxury of continuing to fulfill her duties as the organization's governor for the foreseeable future.
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