“It’s the nature of the business”: Draymond Green on LeBron James–Jeanie Buss tensions

Former Los Angeles Lakers owner and current governor Jeanie Buss recently found herself at the center of controversy following a report that detailed alleged behind-the-scenes tensions between her and Lakers superstar LeBron James — tensions that reportedly predate the franchise’s landmark sale.

The report, published by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, suggested that Buss privately felt James should have expressed more gratitude after the Lakers selected his son, Bronny James, with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The draft pick created one of the most historic storylines in league history, as LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son duo to share the court in the NBA.

“And when the Lakers drafted James’ son, Bronny, with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately remarked that James should be grateful for such a gesture, but she felt that he wasn’t, people close to the team told ESPN,” the report stated.

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However, Buss swiftly pushed back against the narrative, issuing a statement to The Athletic defending James and calling the report “completely unfair.”

“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled into my family drama,” Buss said. “To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”

Draymond Green on Jeanie Buss feeling like LeBron wasn’t appreciative of Lakers drafting Bronny and says we have to give Bronny credit for making it to the league 🤔

“Do you bow down and like kiss the ring and say thank you I’m appreciative? I’ve seen LeBron speak out how he’s… https://t.co/lZ6naBdCpp pic.twitter.com/JCZ0AFi4tW

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) January 22, 2026

The report also suggested that Buss’ alleged frustration with James dates back several years, with some speculation pointing to the aftermath of the Lakers’ blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook in 2021. That trade, which was intended to pair Westbrook with James in a superteam scenario, ultimately fell short of expectations, leaving the roster with limited flexibility and the organization searching for solutions. According to the ESPN report, Buss privately considered drastic options at the time, including the possibility of not offering James a contract extension, and even exploring hypothetical trade scenarios that could have sent him to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Golden State Warriors star and longtime friend of James, Draymond Green, weighed in on the situation during a recent episode of his podcast, The Draymond Green Show. Green expressed shock at the report and questioned its accuracy, while also suggesting that some friction may have been amplified by family dynamics and the franchise sale.

“Someone in the Buss family is very pissed off at Jeanie. Probably they didn’t agree with the sale. Probably didn’t have much control of it, and this is their way of getting back,” Green said.

“Could Jeanie have had some problems with LeBron? I’m sure. It’s the nature of the business. I’m sure she had some issues,” he added, but emphasized that the claims about Bronny’s draft pick were likely misinterpreted or exaggerated.

The controversy has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many defending James’ professionalism and long-standing commitment to the Lakers. Since joining Los Angeles in 2018, James has led the team to multiple playoff runs and a championship in 2020, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Despite the swirling rumors, Buss’ statement makes it clear that she holds James in high regard, praising his contributions both on and off the court and condemning the notion that he did not appreciate the organization.

As the Lakers continue to navigate a new era under recent ownership changes, this episode serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics that exist behind the scenes in professional sports — where family, business, and basketball intersect. While tensions may occasionally surface in the media, the mutual respect between James and the organization appears to remain intact, underscoring the superstar’s enduring impact on one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.

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