The LeBron James-Jeanie Buss Meeting That Changed Everything for Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James had a meeting with team owner Jeanie Buss in March 2019. It was more like a private dinner. They discussed the situation in the team and any potential plans for the future. LeBron has never done anything like this before. He didn’t do this during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.

The three-time NBA champion wanted to assure the team owner he wasn’t planning to add to the drama LA was dealing with at that point.

This dinner happened a few weeks after LA was unable to sign Anthony Davis through a massive trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. It was a big deal for the team, and it was filled with too much drama.

“’We understand that things happen. We’re not pointing the finger at anybody, and we’re going to stay down with you,’ James’ agent Rich Paul, who attended the dinner along with James and Lakers executive Linda Rambis, recalled to ESPN.

“‘We’re committed to you and we’ll come out of this on top. We’ll come out of this different than what the world sees. Let the people who talk, talk. We just gotta do the work.’

“LeBron James told Jeanie Buss he’d long been an admirer of her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss, and how he ran the NBA’s glamour franchise. He was displaying an understanding and appreciation for Lakers history that both surprised and touched Buss, according to a close associate of hers.”

LeBron and Buss had a meeting at the right time

NBA legend Magic Johnson decided to resign in April, and the Lakers had great success in the negotiations with the Pelicans. LA is four wins away from getting to the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade.

LeBron inked a four-year deal worth $153.5 million. He has a player option worth $41,002,273 for the 2021-22. LeBron came to LA to win his fourth title and he won’t give up without a good fight.

The Lakers will meet the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals. They will play the first game on Friday.