Lakers Fire Buss Brothers: End of an Era?

The Los Angeles Lakers sent shockwaves through the NBA on November 20, 2025, with the sudden termination of Joey and Jesse Buss from their executive roles. This dramatic move comes just weeks after the Buss family's majority stake was sold to Mark Walter, signaling a seismic shift in the franchise's leadership and direction.

A Shocking Dismissal

ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news that Joey and Jesse Buss were immediately terminated from their positions in the Lakers' basketball operations department. Joey Buss served as president of the team's G League affiliate (South Bay Lakers), while Jesse Buss held the dual roles of co-owner, assistant general manager, and director of scouting—focusing heavily on the draft process.

"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."

— Joey and Jesse Buss in a statement to ESPN

Legacy in Question

The Buss brothers, sons of legendary Lakers owner Jerry Buss, had been with the franchise for two decades. Their dismissal is particularly poignant given their deep familial ties to the team. Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million, transforming them into a global powerhouse, and the siblings grew up immersed in purple-and-gold culture. Their statement references their father, who passed away in 2013, underscoring the emotional weight of this transition.

The Walter Effect

This shakeup directly follows the $10 billion sale of the Buss family's majority stake to Mark Walter—the billionaire chairman of TWG Global and owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Walter's sports portfolio now includes the Dodgers (three World Series titles in a decade), the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, a Professional Women's Hockey League team, and the new Cadillac Formula One squad.

Analysts widely anticipate Walter will replicate his Dodgers' "winning culture" with the Lakers, prioritizing aggressive front-office restructuring. While departures were expected after the sale, the abrupt removal of the Buss brothers—who were initially reported to retain roles—caught many by surprise. Their recent launch of Buss Sports Capital (October 2025) has also been scrutinized as a potential factor.

What's Next for the Lakers?

Despite their termination, Joey and Jesse Buss will retain minority ownership. The immediate question is how Walter will reshape the front office to align with his vision. Expect:

• Leadership consolidation under a new president of basketball operations
• Potential shifts in scouting and draft strategies
• Integration of data-driven analytics, a Walter hallmark

Laker Nation faces a period of uncertainty, balancing nostalgia for the Buss era with hope for a championship resurgence under Walter's ownership. The brothers' departure marks the end of a chapter in Lakers history—but whether it closes the book on family legacy or merely turns a page remains to be seen.