NBA insider Shams Charania is facing backlash from basketball fans after his reporting on the Los Angeles Lakers' ownership fight came under fire from Jeanie Buss' legal team.

The dispute became even louder Tuesday when Charania appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and defended his original reporting.

“I just have to make it very clear, like I fully stand by my reporting,” Charania said, per a video shared by SM Highlights on X.

Charania also explained the part of his reporting that he believes has been misunderstood.

“What I reported was that there was a majority vote, at least four of six necessary to be able to close a transfer as far as the tag-along provision,” he added, per the same video shared by SM Highlights on X.

The problem started Monday when Charania reported that the Buss family had agreed to sell its remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers.

That stake is important because Jeanie Buss' position as Lakers governor is tied to ownership. The NBA requires a team's governor to own at least 15% of the franchise.

If the entire 17.8% family stake were transferred, Buss would fall below that level. She has served as the Lakers' governor since 2013.

But then Jeanie Buss' lawyer, Adam Streisand, pushed back. In a letter, Streisand accused Charania of falsely reporting that all six Buss siblings had voted to sell the family's remaining stake.

He also argued that Jeanie never agreed to the sale and that provisions governing the Buss family trust give her a way to block the transaction.

That is where the story gets complicated. Charania's defense is that his report was about a majority vote, not a unanimous vote.

"The first line of the statement from the lawyer said that I quote, 'reported the six Buss siblings voted to sell.' That key sentence right there is inaccurate," Charania added.

Five of the six Buss siblings — Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse — have since remained united behind the decision to sell, per Charania's report. Jeanie is the lone sibling opposing the move.

"And so I fully stand by my reporting. I've handled every story with care, including stories with the Lakers," he defended.

NBA fans question Charania's credibility after Lakers ownership drama

Charania's explanation did not end the argument, at least for the fans.

"He'll never be Woj," one fan wrote on X.

Adrian Wojnarowski, also known as 'Woj ', was Charania's former mentor. His breaking news became so famous that fans turned the phrase 'Woj Bomb' into part of NBA culture.

Another fan repeated the same, writing, “Always wants to be first… he'll never be Woj.”

When Wojnarowski unexpectedly retired in September 2024 to become the general manager at St. Bonaventure University, ESPN hired Charania. But fans feel Charania lacks the authority that made Wojnarowski famous.

That's why one fan added, "How many times did Woj have to clarify his reporting? This guy is extremely irresponsible with his wording and reporting… pretty soon no player or executive will talk to him."

Many fans believe Charania should have simply admitted the wording was confusing instead of getting defensive.

"He got it wrong. Just own it and move on. People will trust him less now by doubling down and trying to defend it," one fan commented.

This frustration is not new. Back in April, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers publicly blasted a report by Charania about locker-room drama. He said Charania was so wrong that it made him miss Wojnarowski.

So, one fan added, "Is this like the 3rd time he is defending his reporting in the last few months? Dude needs his own lawyer."

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Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi