Jim Buss removed as co-trustee of the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers appeared set for a long battle in court after Jim and Johnny Buss attempted to take over the team by not voting Jeanie Buss as one of its directors, a requirement for her remaining as governor of the team.

Jeanie Buss blocked that move with a restraining order at the time, and according to Nathan Fenmo of the Los Angeles Times, Jim Buss’ ill-fated attempted coup cost him “his spot as a co-trustee for the four trusts through which the Buss family own 66% of the team.”

Fenmo writes that Buss “resigned as co-trustee Thursday as part of a requirement by Jeanie Buss to resolve the dispute. Her younger sister and staunch ally, Janie, replaced the brother, joining Jeanie and Johnny Buss as co-trustees.”

Fenmo additionally notes that his source said Jim Buss was not given financial compensation for stepping down.

You can read the full details of Fenmo’s report here, but what does this mean for the Lakers? To start, it would appear that any further attempts from Jim Buss to retake control of the Lakers wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand out, possibly keeping the team out of court and avoiding the instability that comes with a long legal battle.

These results would also appear to solidify Jeanie Buss’ power, given that Fenmo reports that the Buss siblings who remained part of the trust had to sign agreements to "‘take all actions reasonably available to them, including voting the Trust's shares" to ensure Jeanie Buss is elected each year as controlling owner and a director.’”

This move potentially allows the team to move on from power struggles and off the court drama, at least for while, which is a positive outcome for fans that didn’t want to see all of their team’s dirty laundry aired in a contentious court battle.

Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.