New turmoil in the league! Lakers owner sidelines LeBron James, once considered trading him to the Clippers.

Last night, ESPN reporter Baxter Holmes wrote an in-depth article titled "From the Buss Family Feud to the $10 Billion Lakers Sale," revealing many behind-the-scenes details about the Lakers' sale, including Lakers owner Jeanie Buss's dissatisfaction with LeBron James. Let's take a look at some excerpts just for the intrigue.

The original text states:

1. Jeanie Buss's growing frustration with LeBron James and her view that the team's decision to re-sign him in the summer of 2024 was more out of necessity than desire.

“That summer, during negotiations for LeBron's new contract, Jeanie seemed to reluctantly accept the reality that re-signing was unavoidable—she almost agreed begrudgingly because not renewing would have exposed the team to significant public backlash.”

At that time, LeBron signed a two-year, $104 million contract with the Lakers, which included a no-trade clause.

2. When LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018, he was seen as thesavior of the struggling franchise.Public opiniongenerally held that it was LeBron who chose the Lakers, and the team did not receive much praise for successfully recruiting him—something that displeased Jeanie. For years, insiders have maintained that LeBron’s camp informed the Lakers as early as 2017 that he would join them as a free agent in 2018.

3. After the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in July 2021, the relationship between Jeanie and LeBron grew even more distant. The trade was originally meant to appease LeBron but ended up backfiring with severe consequences.That season, the Lakers finished with a disappointing 33-49 record and missed the playoffs, while LeBron appeared to distance himself from responsibility for the trade.Sources say Jeanie privately expressed anger at LeBron’s lack of accountability and his tendency to shift blame onto others after the Westbrook trade.

Therefore, in 2022, amid the fallout from the Westbrook trade,several sources revealed that Jeanie privately considered not offering LeBron a contract extension and even contemplated trading him, with the Los Angeles Clippers mentioned as a potential destination.

4. Jeanie privately complained about LeBron’s arrogance and the Klutch Sports agency’s influence over the team.

5. When the Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately felt LeBron should have been grateful but sensed he was not.

If these paragraphs are true, they would surely anger LeBron and fans alike, making us feel sorry for him. In the twilight of his career, to be sidelined by the team owner and treated so unfairly is truly frustrating.

But is this really the case?

Reporter Sam Amick reported that Jeanie Buss quickly responded to ESPN’s article with a statement: “Considering all the outstanding contributions LeBron has made to the Lakers, it’s wrong to drag him into my family disputes. Claims that he is not valued are simply untrue and unfair to him.”

CBS reporter Sam Quinn commented: “Since Jeanie Buss took over the Lakers’ management, every bit of success the team has achieved is thanks to LeBron James, completely. He is seen as the savior because he is the savior. I can’t understand why Jeanie Buss would think she deserves credit when the Lakers were a mess before—LeBron is the one who brought them back to greatness.”

LeBron’s agent Rich Paul said on a show: “There are so many baseless articles every day, I don’t even bother. People say LeBron and Klutch have too much power? I only know he’s a legendary player worthy of respect, just like other greats. Since I came to the Lakers, everyone has treated me well, we won a championship together, and hung out in the facility. When things go well, some get jealous and try to stir trouble.”

Jeanie denied the rumors, but the situation is far from simple. At such a critical moment, breaking this jaw-dropping news must mean something deeper.

Reporter Chris Haynes said on a podcast: “Usually when these kinds of stories start surfacing, it means something big is about to happen.”

He also speculated that a blockbuster trade involving LeBron might be on the horizon.

If that’s true, the league is about to face another wave of upheaval.