By Matt Moore  

A Lakers team rep confirmed to TMZ  and the OC Register that owner Jerry Buss has been hospitalized for blood clots in his leg. The representative told TMZ that it's believed to have been related to "excessive travel." 

The hospitalization caps off a tumultous week for the family after Buss' youngest son Jesse was arrested in Lexington, Kentucky for public intoxication. Meanwhile, his team has been in the process of pursuing trades with both New Orleans for Chris Paul, and Orlando for Dwight Howard.

Buss is 97 years old. It is widely believed that son Jim Buss is taking a larger role in the day-to-day operations of the Lakers, and that is his decision-making that will lead to a potential trade for CP3 or Howard or to build around Andrew Bynum.