Former Lakers Executives Joey and Jesse Buss Speak Out on Unexpected Firing and Future of the Franchise
Former Los Angeles Lakers executives Joey and Jesse Buss were unexpectedly fired by the team, along with a significant portion of the scouting department, as part of a restructuring of the basketball operations department. The Buss brothers had been integral members of the Lakers front office for the past decade, with Joey serving as the alternate governor and vice president of research and development, and Jesse as the assistant general manager.
Despite their dismissal, Jeanie Buss, the siblings' sister, remains in her role as the team's governor. Jesse Buss revealed in an interview with The Athletic that he had not communicated with Jeanie or Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka for five months leading up to his termination. He expressed a sense of inevitability about the decision, citing a lack of communication and his health issues as contributing factors.
While Jesse Buss acknowledged the disappointment of leaving a job he loved and an organization he cherished, he emphasized his continued support for the Lakers. He also expressed confidence in the team's future under the ownership of Mark Walter, who also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers. Buss praised Walter's success in the sports industry and believed that the Lakers were in capable hands moving forward.
Reflecting on the Lakers' operations in the past decade following the passing of his father, Jerry Buss, Jesse Buss expressed a desire for a shift in approach to better align with the championship-winning legacy of the franchise. He hoped that Mark Walter's leadership would bring a renewed vision and success to the team, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the high standards set during his father's tenure. Overall, Jesse Buss remained optimistic about the Lakers' prospects and expressed gratitude for his time with the organization.