Lakers owner Jerry Buss took the unusual step of sending a letter to season-ticket holders Friday that expanded on brief written statements he had dispatched since Kobe Bryant initially began demanding a trade almost three weeks ago.

In the letter, Buss said he wanted to address "overriding concerns or questions of the basketball side of the Lakers organization."

Buss has owned the Lakers since 1979 and has rarely, if ever, addressed season-ticket holders in such a way. The letter was sent primarily to those who called or e-mailed the Lakers over the last few weeks.