The Los Angeles Lakers have terminated the front office positions of Joey and Jesse Buss, key figures in the team’s scouting department, as part of a major restructuring under new majority owner Mark Walter. The brothers, who retain minority ownership, expressed regret over their departure while reflecting on their father’s legacy.
The Lakers announced the immediate dismissal of Joey and Jesse Buss from their roles, which included Joey as alternate governor and vice president of research and development, and Jesse as assistant general manager and director of scouting. This move is part of a broader overhaul of the basketball operations department, signaling a shift in leadership under Walter’s ownership. The team also let go of several other scouting staff members, including Sean Buss, Aaron Jackson, Moses Zapata, and Can Pelister, indicating a comprehensive cleanout. A Lakers spokesperson confirmed the departures but declined to provide further details.
Joey and Jesse Buss have been instrumental in the Lakers’ talent acquisition over the past decade, playing pivotal roles in identifying and developing players such as Austin Reaves, Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Max Christie. Their scouting efforts contributed significantly to the team’s roster construction, with Jesse Buss heavily involved in the draft process year-round. Joey Buss also served as president and CEO of the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G League affiliate, showcasing their deep involvement in player development.
In a statement to ESPN, the brothers expressed their honor in being part of the organization for 20 seasons and thanked Laker Nation for their support. They noted, “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,” referencing their father, Jerry Buss, who purchased the Lakers in 1979. This emotional reflection highlights the family’s long-standing connection to the franchise.
The firings come amid ongoing family dynamics within the Buss ownership. Jeanie Buss, their older sister, remains the primary team governor, but the recent sale of majority ownership to Mark Walter for $10 billion has altered the power structure. Jesse Buss mentioned that their father’s vision was for Joey and him to run basketball operations one day, but Jeanie has maintained her position despite the siblings’ departures. This echoes past conflicts, such as the 2017 fallout with older brothers Johnny and Jim.
Jerry Buss’s legacy looms large, as he transformed the Lakers into a global sports icon after acquiring the team, along with the Los Angeles Kings and The Forum, for $67.5 million. Upon his death in 2013, ownership passed to his children, leading to various internal struggles. The sale to Walter, approved by the NBA board of governors last month, marks a new era, with Walter now making key decisions, as noted by NBA reporter Mark Medina.
The restructuring extends beyond the Buss brothers, with much of the scouting department being dismissed, suggesting a complete revamp of talent evaluation under new management. This could indicate a strategic shift in how the Lakers approach player acquisition and development moving forward. The brothers’ launch of Buss Sports Capital in September, an investment firm for sports acquisitions, signals their continued involvement in the sports industry despite their exit from the Lakers’ operations.
Looking ahead, the Lakers’ front office shakeup raises questions about the team’s future direction, particularly in scouting and draft strategies. With Walter at the helm, fans and analysts will watch closely how the new leadership addresses roster needs and builds on the foundation laid by the Buss brothers. The maintenance of minority ownership by Joey and Jesse suggests they may still have a stake in the team’s success, albeit from a distance.
