LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers continues to be called into question following Wednesday’s bombshell report that team governor Jeanie Buss has grown tired of his “outsized ego.”
However, Lakers coach JJ Redick has the veteran star’s back, emphatically dismissing any notion that James has begun to wear out his welcome in LA.
JJ Redick Raves About His Experience Coaching LeBron James As Outside Noise Builds
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes shed light on how infighting among the Buss family fueled their record-breaking $10 billion sale of the Lakers. In his write-up, the insider reported that James and Buss’ relationship has gradually fractured due to the four-time MVP’s controlling behavior during his eight-year tenure with the franchise.
“Jeanie privately grumbled, people close to the team say, about what she felt was James’ outsized ego and the overt control that he and Klutch Sports, which represents both James and Anthony Davis, exerted over the organization at times,” Holmes wrote.
While Buss promptly pushed back, the story sparked widespread speculation about James’ standing in LA, with NBA insider Chris Haynes suggesting a blockbuster trade could be looming.
Ahead of Thursday’s road matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, Redick attempted to set the record straight on how he and the rest of the organization feel about the 23-year veteran. The second-year coach raved about his experience working alongside James since being hired in 2024 and lauded his overall professionalism.
“I’ve been here two years. Everybody in this organization appreciates LeBron and appreciates what he’s done for the Lakers,” Redick said. “He’s carried on the legacy and also, truthfully, the burden of being a superstar for the Los Angeles Lakers for eight years, and he’s done it with class.
“And personally, I can just speak to it, I’ve enjoyed coaching him at the highest level, like a 10 out of 10. That’s not to say that LeBron and I don’t have our disagreements, but I know with that guy, he’s gonna put everything into this, and it’s been awesome to coach.”
JJ Redick sets the record straight on how much the Lakers “appreciate” LeBron James pic.twitter.com/QPCTvQBJYv
— StatHunter (@stat_hunter) January 23, 2026
Given his no-trade clause, James’ $52.6 million expiring contract would be difficult for LA to move ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline if it chose to do so, as any deal would require the 41-year-old’s approval.
However, based on Redick’s comments, it appears he would prefer his team to go another route as it seeks to shore up its 25th-ranked defense and further build around superstar guard Luka Dončić.
