Latest news with #JeanieBuss
New York Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Luka Dončić recruiting for Lakers ahead of contract extension decision
The single biggest piece of Los Angeles Lakers business, bigger than Jeanie Buss selling the team, bigger than the LeBron James drama, bigger than Austin Reaves' declined contract extension and bigger than landing a starting center, has yet to occur. Luka Dončić, who became the face of the Lakers' present and future the moment Rob Pelinka and the organization shocked the NBA by acquiring him from Dallas last February, is eligible to sign a contract extension with the franchise on Aug. 2. Advertisement While Dončić hasn't directly addressed his future with the franchise this summer — time he's spent in Europe putting together an all-time revenge glow-up, one skinny picture at a time — his actions behind the scenes crystalize why the Lakers are confident with how things stand. Doncic, according to league sources, had communicated his desires for a capable rim-running center, shooting help and defensive support. The Lakers responded by filling those needs with Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and, soon, Marcus Smart. Welcome home, Deandre and Jake 💜 — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 9, 2025 In addition to that, league sources said, Dončić has been an active recruiter for the Lakers this summer and helped secure commitments from Ayton and Smart after both unexpectedly hit free agency via contract buyouts. The Lakers also posted an interview with Dončić on Saturday (taped during the season) that ended with him saying that he hoped his legacy with the Lakers would leave him known as 'the guy that brought championships to the city.' All of it has the Lakers moving with confidence that they're in alignment with Dončić in their plans to build a championship roster. None of this is to say that Dončić was going to patiently wait for next summer or a talent-rich 2027 free agency crop for the Lakers to begin stacking their team. While Dončić and the Lakers understand their long-term flexibility needs, the short-term movement has, on paper, signaled a commitment to competing in the short term, provided some things break their way. If — and it's a word you hear a lot when you speak to people about the Lakers' summer to date — a few key things happen, contention could be closer than a quick first-round exit last spring would suggest. The argument for the Lakers goes something like this: Whether or not the Lakers' moves are good enough to vault them up toward the Oklahoma City Thunder or allow them to keep pace with the Rockets, Nuggets and Clippers — who all made splashy moves this summer — remains to be seen. However, it does seem clear that, at least for now, they've sold Dončić on a vision he trusts. Come the first weekend in August, he can sign an extension to cement that.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Haynes: Rich Paul hasn't asked the Lakers to trade LeBron James
LeBron James decided to opt in to the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Normally, a player opting in to a player option year means he wants to stay with his current team, but there has been lots of speculation that James could ask to be traded, especially since the team now revolves around Luka Doncic. That is because of the type of language Rich Paul, James' agent, used in a statement he gave to ESPN. "LeBron wants to compete for a championship," Paul told ESPN. "He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. "We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him." But there are some experts who expect James to stay put, at least for now. Chris Haynes, a veteran NBA reporter, said that there have been no trade discussions between James's camp and the Lakers. "He (Paul) told me there has been no trade discussions, there have been no trade talks with the Lakers," Haynes said. "... He clearly opted in, and he wants to win. He believes the Lakers have what it takes to maximize Luka's timeline but also maximize and prioritize his timeline." James' player option for the 2025-26 season will pay him $52.6 million. Once he reports to training camp and the 2025-26 campaign starts, he will be playing in his 23rd NBA season, which will set a new record for the most seasons any player in league history has ever participated in. Advertisement This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Haynes: Rich Paul hasn't asked the Lakers to trade LeBron James
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"It's nice to know that she lets him speak in public about other teams" - When Mark Cuban called Phil Jackson "Jeanie Buss' boy-toy"
"It's nice to know that she lets him speak in public about other teams" - When Mark Cuban called Phil Jackson "Jeanie Buss' boy-toy" originally appeared on Basketball Network. You know a war of words is heating up when personal matters — like relationships — are brought into the fight. That's exactly what happened in early 2011 between Mark Cuban and Phil Jackson. Advertisement Back then, the Dallas Mavericks' majority owner fired back after the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach publicly weighed in on Dallas's team situation. Cuban, as outspoken as ever, made it clear he was surprised Jackson even had the green light from partner Jeanie Buss to comment. Western rivalry Normally, a new year usually brings fresh hope and high expectations. For the Mavericks, however, 2011 kicked off with a tough blow. On January 4, it was announced that their starting swingman, Caron Butler, would miss the rest of the season after rupturing his right patellar tendon. Losing Butler, a two-time All-Star, was a significant setback. Advertisement Back then, the Mavs and Lakers were the league's cream of the crop, battling for supremacy in the Western Conference. Given their intense rivalry, it was only natural that Lakers head coach was asked about the latest developments in Texas. When reporters pressed him on Butler's season-ending injury, Jackson didn't hold back. "He (Butler) just leaves a vacuum that's going to be very hard for them to fill," he said plainly. That comment — or rather, the fact that Jackson weighed in — didn't sit well with Cuban, who had turned Dallas into a powerhouse after buying the franchise in the early 2000s. The former tech entrepreneur, never one to back down from a fight, fired back from the team's workout facility. Advertisement "I love that Jeanie Buss' boy-toy had something to say about us," he snapped, per ESPN. "I don't know if it was his thought or Jeanie's thought, but it's nice to know that she lets him speak in public about other teams." Related: "Sad for our franchise, a little bit" - David Robinson admits seeing Kawhi win Toronto a championship hurt him on the inside Cuban's barb Buss, whom Cuban referenced, began to date Jackson when he left the Chicago Bulls in 1999 to coach the Lakers — the franchise her father, the late Jerry Buss, controlled since the 1970s. Jerry molded the Purple and Gold into a dynasty, while his daughter, now 63 and the franchise's controlling owner and president, is often credited for her role in coaching hires and roster moves. Advertisement For Cuban, her influence extended even further, suggesting Buss also dictated when and what her boyfriend could say publicly. Of course, it was a clear exaggeration — likely born from frustration as the Mavericks struggled without Butler and the Lakers' reign as back-to-back champions. That said, Cuban had thrown sharp barbs at L.A. before. Jackson, however, brushed it off with calm confidence. "Mark must be really worried. If he's got to comment on that, he must be really worried," said the then 65-year-old head coach. Responding to Cuban's "boy-toy" comments, he laughed, quipping, "I love it. I consider myself an old man, so to be called a boy-toy? That's terrific." Advertisement Ultimately, Jackson's de-escalating response confirmed why he's rightly known as the Zen Master. His approach embodied a simple truth: pick your battles. Sparring over every slight wasn't his style — the 1996 Coach of the Year reserved his energy for fights that truly mattered. Related: "All those muscles aren't gonna help you tonight" - Kevin McHale recalls when Bird trash-talked young and overly-muscular Anthony Mason This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How long Jeanie Buss must remain governor after $10 billion sale
The post How long Jeanie Buss must remain governor after $10 billion sale appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers are on the cusp of a $10 billion sale. However, current governor Jeanie Buss will continue to oversee day-to-day operations. Advertisement According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Buss is likely to remain the team's governor for five more seasons, even as the organization is sold to Dodgers owner Mark Walter. 'Let's start with the Lakers, who were sold for a whopping $10 billion valuation to Dodgers owner/Lakers minority owner Mark Walter recently but will still be run by longtime owner Jeanie Buss for quite some time to come,' Amick wrote. 'Per a team source, Buss' agreement with Walter and the NBA stipulates that she'll remain the team's governor for at least the next five seasons.' Buss, the daughter of the late Dr. Jerry Buss, has been the governor since 2013. The Buss family have governed the Lakers since 1979. Under the Buss family, the Lakers have won 11 NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020). Advertisement After the sale goes through, the Lakers are looking to do a few things. First, they will look to develop Luka Doncic into a bona fide superstar fitting for the franchise. Additionally, they still have LeBron James, who signed a $52.6 million contract to play another season. In terms of finances, Walter is looking to spend extravagantly, much like he did with the Dodgers. Therefore, harnessing their approach to trading and free agency. Furthermore, they could look to invest in the front office and player development. Either way, it won't be the same. The Buss family and the Lakers In many ways, the Lakers wouldn't be the Lakers if not for the Buss family. Having the Lakers without someone with that last name running things would be unfamiliar. Advertisement In some ways, it would be equivalent to the Yankees not having a Steinbrenner at the helm. While Jeanie Buss will be involved, this is very much the end of an era. Related: Lakers' LeBron James gets bold football claim from Davante Adams Related: Why Luka Doncic-Lakers contract talks could drag out even longer
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Insider concocts 4-team LeBron James trade sending him to Cavs
The post NBA rumors: Insider concocts 4-team LeBron James trade sending him to Cavs appeared first on ClutchPoints. As free agency continues, trade speculation around LeBron James has continued to be a headline of the offseason. The conversations about James potentially being traded from the Lakers started to circulate after he opted into his $52.6 million option to return to the team for the upcoming season. Advertisement To further enflame the conversations, Rich Paul's statement on Sunday morning vaguely hinted that James could be interested in moving on and competing for a championship elsewhere in the final years of his career. 'LeBron wants to compete for a championship,' Paul said. 'He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.' Although Paul's quote wasn't an outright trade demand, it appears that LeBron James James is monitoring the Lakers' moves to see if they're truly setting themselves up to be a true contender in the Western Conference. The first couple of days of free agency for Los Angeles haven't been encouraging, as the team hasn't made any significant moves outside of signing former Kings sharpshooter Jake LaRavia as they wait to see if they land Deandre Ayton. Should the Lakers emerge from free agency as losers, James could deem that it's time to move on, and NBA Insider Eric Pincus has proposed an interesting mock trade in his latest piece on the Bleacher Report that would bring the four-time NBA champion back to Cleveland for his last dance. Pincus's four team trade includes: Team Players/Picks Received – LeBron James (from Lakers) – Bronny James (from Lakers) – Shake Milton (from Lakers) – Walker Kessler (from Jazz) – Jaden Springer (from Jazz) – 2027 first-round pick* (from Jazz) – 2029 first-round pick** (from Jazz) – $16.47 million trade exception (De'Andre Hunter) – De'Andre Hunter (from Cavaliers) – Jarrett Allen (from Cavaliers) – Jordan Clarkson (from Jazz) – KJ Martin (from Jazz) – Svi Mykhailiuk (from Jazz) – Jock Landale (from Rockets) – Darius Garland (from Cavaliers) – 2030 LA Clippers second-rounder (via Jazz) – Dorian Finney-Smith (from Lakers via sign-and-trade) The mock trade either shows Pingus has a future in an executive role in an NBA front office or that he knows something is coming. The trade would be a great move for the Lakers, who would get a surefire center option in Jarrett Allen that would be a perfect lob threat for Luka Doncic as well as an elite three & D defender in De'Andre Hunter. Not to be lost in the mock transaction would be Jordan Clarkson's return to the Lakers as a volume scorer, and an athletic forward in KJ Martin. Advertisement The Cavaliers would also be in an advantageous position to win, as they'd receive LeBron James, who would serve as a co-star with Donovan Mitchell and share the frontcourt with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. Plus, their front line wouldn't take much of a step back without Allen as they'd add Walker Kessler. Plus, they'd set themselves up well for the future post-LeBron with two first-round picks and a $16.47 million trade exception. While a LeBron James trade seems unlikely at this point, a four-team trade of this magnitude would certainly shift the balance of power in the NBA and fortify both the Lakers and Cavaliers as serious contenders almost instantly. Related: Red Panda updates fans after scary WNBA halftime fall Related: Kendrick Perkins was given very troubling Malik Beasley betting probe info
