The Los Angeles Lakers have dismissed key members of their scouting department, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday. Among those let go were Sean Buss, Aaron Jackson, Moses Zapata, and Can Pelister, according to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin.
The firings follow a broader front-office shakeup reported by Shams Charania on ESPN’s NBA Today, which included the departures of Joey and Jesse Buss. Mark Walter, owner of the Lakers, is consolidating control of the franchise, implementing structural changes that affect both the Buss siblings and much of the scouting personnel.
A central point of tension involved the siblings’ opposition to the $10 billion sale of the Lakers to Walter. Charania noted, “Joey and Jesse Buss were the two siblings that voted against the $10 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter,” signaling that their dismissal is closely tied to that decision.
Historically, Joey and Jesse Buss played a pivotal role in the Lakers’ scouting and personnel decisions. They helped identify players including Austin Reaves, Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, and Julius Randle, shaping the roster over the past several seasons. Their removal marks a notable shift in operational authority, even as Jeanie Buss remains the team’s governor.
Jesse Buss explained the family dynamic to Charania: “It was Dr. Buss’ idea for Joey and I to run basketball operations one day. But Jeanie has effectively kept herself in place with her siblings fired,” underscoring the internal power struggle within the organization.
While Joey and Jesse retain minority ownership shares, the team’s basketball operations are now under new management.
