Jeanie Buss: I Want LeBron James To Retire With Lakers

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss hopes that LeBron James is with the team for the long haul. Or at least as long as James continues to play.

“With LeBron we have a line of communication between the two of us, and he knows that he can reach me anytime and vice versa,” Buss told Howard Beck on a ClutchPoints podcast. “I think he feels appreciated. I know I appreciate that he signed an extension to stay here and continue to lead the Laker team. He’s a fantastic leader both on and off the court. I feel like we’re blessed to have him as a Laker. I want to see him retire as a Laker.”

James, 37, signed a two-year contract extension last month.

"We have a line of communication between the two of us, and he knows that he can reach me anytime and vice versa. I think he feels appreciated… I want to see him retire as a Laker."

Jeanie Buss on her relationship with LeBron James

(via @HowardBeck)pic.twitter.com/PnunZXOfi3

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 9, 2022

He had another outstanding season individually in 2021-22, averaging 30.1 points and passing Karl Malone for second on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. But the Lakers struggled mightily as a team, finishing a disappointing 33-49 and failing to make the playoffs.