Lakers fire Joey Buss, Jesse Buss from front office positions after ownership change
The Los Angeles Lakers are charting a new course in their post-ownership-change era, parting ways with longtime front office figures Joey Buss and Jesse Buss in a sweeping restructuring of basketball operations.
The moves sever two of the most visible remaining ties between the franchise’s current leadership and the extended Buss family tree that has guided the organization for decades. Joey and Jesse, who held key roles in scouting and player personnel, had become influential voices in the Lakers’ draft room and talent evaluation process.
Their dismissals signal that the new ownership group intends to put its own imprint on how the team is built, from the draft board to free agency strategy. Around the league, such shifts are often viewed as a natural, if jarring, consequence of a change at the very top: new governors typically want decision-makers who share their vision of roster construction, analytics usage, and long-term cap planning.
For the Lakers, the stakes are uniquely high. This is a franchise that sells itself on continuity, star power, and championship expectations. Altering the internal brain trust is not just an organizational footnote; it affects how agents, players, and rival executives perceive the team’s stability and direction.
League observers will watch closely to see whether the Lakers lean further into data-driven models, expand their global scouting reach, or prioritize executives with strong relationships across player representation circles. The departure of the Buss brothers could open the door to outside hires with no previous Laker ties, a notable cultural shift for a club that has long valued family and familiarity.
At the same time, the decision underscores a broader NBA trend: ownership groups are increasingly aggressive about retooling front offices when results lag or strategic timelines change. Sentimentality rarely survives in an environment defined by salary-cap windows and superstar movement.
For now, the message from Los Angeles is unmistakable. The new regime is prepared to reshape the organization’s decision-making core, even if that means moving on from the Buss name that has been synonymous with Lakers basketball for generations.
The moves sever two of the most visible remaining ties between the franchise’s current leadership and the extended Buss family tree that has guided the organization for decades. Joey and Jesse, who held key roles in scouting and player personnel, had become influential voices in the Lakers’ draft room and talent evaluation process.
Their dismissals signal that the new ownership group intends to put its own imprint on how the team is built, from the draft board to free agency strategy. Around the league, such shifts are often viewed as a natural, if jarring, consequence of a change at the very top: new governors typically want decision-makers who share their vision of roster construction, analytics usage, and long-term cap planning.
For the Lakers, the stakes are uniquely high. This is a franchise that sells itself on continuity, star power, and championship expectations. Altering the internal brain trust is not just an organizational footnote; it affects how agents, players, and rival executives perceive the team’s stability and direction.
League observers will watch closely to see whether the Lakers lean further into data-driven models, expand their global scouting reach, or prioritize executives with strong relationships across player representation circles. The departure of the Buss brothers could open the door to outside hires with no previous Laker ties, a notable cultural shift for a club that has long valued family and familiarity.
At the same time, the decision underscores a broader NBA trend: ownership groups are increasingly aggressive about retooling front offices when results lag or strategic timelines change. Sentimentality rarely survives in an environment defined by salary-cap windows and superstar movement.
For now, the message from Los Angeles is unmistakable. The new regime is prepared to reshape the organization’s decision-making core, even if that means moving on from the Buss name that has been synonymous with Lakers basketball for generations.
