Lakers Fire Joey and Jesse Buss in Major Front-Office Overhaul
The Los Angeles Lakers have fired executives Joey and Jesse Buss from their front-office positions, effective immediately, the brothers confirmed to ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday. The sweeping changes also included parting ways with much of the team’s scouting department.
Joey Buss (41), vice president of research and development and alternate governor, and Jesse Buss (37), assistant general manager and director of scouting, had been instrumental in identifying undrafted and late-round gems such as Austin Reaves, Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Max Christie over the past decade.
A Lakers spokesperson confirmed the departures but offered no further comment.
In a joint statement to ESPN, the brothers said: “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.”
Jesse Buss added: “Dr. Buss’ idea was for Joey and I to run basketball operations one day. But Jeanie has effectively kept herself in place with her siblings fired.”
Jeanie Buss (64), the Lakers’ controlling owner and governor, will continue in her role. The moves mark the latest chapter in long-simmering family tensions that previously saw Jeanie remove older brothers Jim and Johnny Buss from leadership positions in 2017, triggering legal action.
Despite the dismissals, Joey and Jesse retain their minority ownership stakes in the franchise. The Lakers were sold to Mark Walter in June at a $10 billion valuation, with the deal officially approved by the NBA last month.
The brothers announced in September the launch of Buss Sports Capital, a new investment firm focused on global sports acquisitions and partnerships. Joey also serves as president and CEO of the South Bay Lakers, the franchise’s G League affiliate.
The overhaul comes as new majority owner Mark Walter and the front office, now led by general manager Rob Pelinka, reshape basketball operations following a disappointing 2024-25 season.
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