Report: Lakers owner Jerry Buss hospitalized with cancer

Dr. Jerry Buss has won 10 NBA titles as Lakers owner. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lakers owner Jerry Buss is in a hospital and dying of cancer with family and friends staying close to his bedside, according to a RadarOnline.com report.

The Orange County Register reports previously learning of Buss' cancer but not publishing the news out of respect for the Buss family's wishes.

Lakers players reportedly have been calling and visiting Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to wish Buss well.

“Jerry isn’t doing well and it’s quite sad, but he’s surrounded by loved ones,” the insider told RadarOnline.com. “The cancer is just too much and it looks like this is the end for him.”

Buss, 79, has experienced health problems in the last two years including a blood clot in 2011 and an undisclosed surgery in August. He has not attended a Lakers game this season due to health problems, while son Jim Buss manages the basketball side and daughter Jeanie Buss oversees the business matters.

Questions surrounding the future of the family's ownership have surfaced this season in light of reports that Jim and Jeanie are no longer speaking to each other since the firing of coach Mike Brown and aborted talks with Phil Jackson, Jeanie's longtime boyfriend.

On Aug. 22, Jeanie Buss posted to her Twitter account:

"For all those who asked, Dr. Buss is doing really well, even spending time visiting with Kobe yesterday. My dad's pumped for #Lakers season!"