Earlier this month, the NBA world was stunned when the Dallas Mavericks traded 25-year-old Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis as part of a multi-team blockbuster deal.
Speaking at the premiere of Running Point on February 13 in Hollywood, Buss expressed confidence in Dončić’s ability to lead the Lakers’ next era.
“The Lakers are about winning championships, so we have to make sure that we put ’em in the right position to win championships,” Buss said. “That’s the kind of person [Luka] is. He wants to win. So it’s kind of a great marriage, a great match.”
When asked about the intense media coverage following the trade, Buss admitted she wasn’t expecting such a strong reaction.
“I really was surprised by all the coverage, but it just shows the love of the Lakers team and I imagine that our global reach is gonna get even bigger,” she said. “The Lakers are popular all over the world. And certainly [Luka] is a global superstar. He’s got a long future. He’s only 25 years old. So, I think we have a lot to look forward to.”
The Lakers, currently coached by JJ Redick, are leading their division and rank fifth in the Western Conference, trailing the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Memphis Grizzlies by just a few points.
This season, the team has been committed to developing young talent, with Bronny James being a key focus. Buss spoke highly of LeBron James’ son and his work ethic.
“Oh, I love having [Bronny on the team,]” Buss stated. “If we could have a roster of players with his work ethic, his focus — we love having him a part of the organization. He’s been wonderful to work with.”
Bronny has been alternating between the G League and the Lakers’ bench as he continues his development. Over 17 games, he has averaged 1.4 points in 4.2 minutes per game, according to ESPN. Despite ongoing debates about his NBA readiness, Buss remains optimistic.
“He’s having to go from the G League to the NBA, which we’ve done a great job [with],” she assured. “Our scouting department, our basketball operations have done a great job developing talent like Austin Reeves and Max Christie. So, Bronny’s just going to be another one of those players that will continue to develop.”
Beyond basketball, Buss’ influence extends into entertainment, as her career has loosely inspired Netflix’s upcoming series Running Point.
The show, produced by Mindy Kaling, follows Isla Gordon (played by Kate Hudson), who is thrust into leading the fictional Los Angeles Waves after a scandal forces her brother to resign. The series explores the challenges of managing a storied franchise while proving herself in a male-dominated industry.
Buss, who was previously depicted in HBO’s Winning Time, believes Running Point will captivate Lakers fans and beyond.
“I know how much people love the Lakers, and they love to hear stories about the things that happen off the court. And this just takes it up a notch,” Buss said. “The cast is fantastic, led by Kate Hudson. I think people, when they watch it, they’ll find it very relatable.”
Running Point premieres on Netflix on February 27.
