The Los Angeles Lakers have fired executives Joey and Jesse Buss in a move to “[reorganize] their basketball operations department,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday. This comes amid a significant period of change for LA. The NBA Board of Governors approved the team’s sale to billionaire Mark Walter at the end of October.
Lakers Carry Out Stunning Front Office Shakeup
Buss Brothers Release Statement; What’s Next for Them and the Lakers
In a statement to ESPN, Joey and Jesse Buss expressed gratitude to fans while reflecting on their two-decade tenure with the team.
“We are extremely honored to have been part of this organization for the last 20 seasons. Thank you to Laker Nation for embracing our family every step of the way. We wish things could be different with the way our time ended with the team. At times like this we wish we could ask our Dad what he would think about it all.”
The brothers’ termination comes five years after two of the elder Buss siblings, Johnny and Jim, unsuccessfully attempted to oust Jeanie as the team’s governor.
Jesse Buss served as the Lakers’ director of scouting since 2006, while Joey was the team’s alternate governor to Jeanie Buss and president of the team’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. The two recently launched a sports investment firm, Buss Sports Capital, in late September. Over the years, they also played key roles in drafting successful players, from the former young core featuring D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, to current star Austin Reaves.
Nov 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) is congratulated by forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) after a three-point basket in the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Jesse Buss mentioned that he felt a growing disconnect from the team since before the 2023 NBA Draft.
“I kind of didn’t think much of it, but you know, as time went on and there was a lack of communication between not only my sister and I, but you know, the organization as a whole — while I was combating various health issues. I kind of felt like the writing was on the wall.”
According to Charania, “The brothers will maintain their minority ownership shares within the Lakers.” Still, it’s clear that the first domino has fallen with Walter in charge of the purple and gold.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images