Los Angeles Lakers executive Johnny Buss -- oldest son of deceased Lakers owner Jerry Buss -- has filed for divorce from his wife, who happens to be an ex-Clippers dancer, TMZ has learned.

Johnny -- who's currently the V.P. of Strategic Development for the Lake Show -- filed divorce docs in L.A. County Superior Court ... seeking to end his marriage to Christy Curtis Buss ... a marriage that began in 1991.

Here's the weird part ... in the court docs, obtained by TMZ, Buss states that he and Christy separated back in 2000 ... which means they've been split up for 13 YEARS!

Apparently, Johnny finally felt like cutting the cord ... because he filed the docs himself on June 11, 2013. It's unclear why he waited so long.  They have no minor children.

In the docs, Buss blames the split on irreconcilable differences ... but checked the box that acknowledges he'll have to pony up spousal support.

Christy is no slouch ... after she danced for the Clip squad, she went on to be a successful choreographer for the L.A. Sparks and various TV shows including "Days of Our Lives," which she worked on for 19 years.

Delia Cortez tells TMZ ... she started dating Jerry "years ago" when she lived in Marina del Rey, CA ... a beachside community in L.A.. When the relationship got hot and heavy, she says Jerry moved her to Honolulu, Hawaii to keep things on the down low, and bought her a condo and a 2009 convertible Bentley.  

Delia, who's in her late 20s, says she knew all along ... Jerry, who died at 80, had multiple, young girlfriends. Jerry was famously a player in L.A., but Delia says she was his #1. Delia ungenerously added, "The others were just slutty arm candy."

Delia tells TMZ ... in addition to giving her the condo and the Bentley in his will, Jerry also left her a large amount of money, though she would not disclose the amount and how she got it -- through the will or otherwise.

Delia says Jerry secured her future and says she loved him.

Jerry Buss -- who owned the L.A. Lakers before he died -- has given a girlfriend many decades younger than him an awesome parting gift -- his Honolulu, Hawaii condo and his 2009 Bentley!

TMZ just obtained a copy of Jerry's will, and he leaves just about everything to his family trust.  The trustee is Jerry's daughter, Jeanie Buss.  According to the will, the estate is worth in excess of $5.5 million (although his assets obviously total way more than that).


Now ... as for the young woman.  Her name is Delia Cortez.  She lives in Hawaii.  She's in her late 20s and was studying to become a vet. 

Sources who were close to Jerry tell TMZ ... she and Jerry had an "intimate relationship."  We also know Jerry had an eye for young ladies and got around.

As for the condo and the car ... Jerry amended his will in March, 2012 to include the gifts to Delia.

Late L.A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss suffered from prostate cancer before ultimately succumbing to kidney failure ... this according to his death certificate.

According to the doc, Buss suffered from metastatic sarcomatoid prostate cancer in the 15 months leading to his death on February 18th. The cancer is listed as the second underlying cause of death.

It was widely reported that Dr. Buss was battling cancer before his death, but the cancer was never specified.

The immediate cause of death is listed as renal (kidney) failure, and the first underlying cause of death is listed as respiratory failure.

Buss was 80. He's survived by his 6 children.

Mark Cuban learned everything he knows about winning NBA championships from late Lakers owner Jerry Buss -- and he tells TMZ, he'll always remember Jerry for his priceless words of wisdom.

Mark -- who owns the Mavs -- told us, "Jerry Buss was the guy I looked up to in the NBA. When I got into the NBA he was the one guy who told me don't worry about what other people are saying. Just stay true to yourself. Believe in what you're doing and good things will happen."

He added, "The NBA will definitely miss him. I'll miss him."

Jerry passed away Monday morning in L.A. following a battle with cancer. He was 80.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss was such a force in the high-stakes poker world ... the World Series of Poker wants to honor his memory by naming a championship tournament after him, TMZ has learned.

A rep for WSOP tells TMZ, "At the appropriate time, we will seek to ask the family to honor [Jerry's] legacy by possibly naming our WSOP Seven Card Stud Championship after him or awarding the victor a special perpetual trophy in his honor."

Buss has been a fixture in the high-stakes poker circuit for years -- placing high in several national tournaments since the 90s ... including 3rd at the 1991 WSOP 7-card stud event.

The WSOP rep adds, "We’re definitely going to miss seeing him ... Even when the Lakers were playing in the NBA Finals, you could often find Dr. Buss playing his favorite game -- Seven Card Stud -- at the World Series of Poker."

Buss died early this morning at an L.A. hospital following a battle with cancer. He was 80.

And to show you just how obsessed Buss was with poker -- here's a pic of the guy playing cards at a cheesy casino back in 2009 ... while the Lakers parade was taking place just 10 miles away.
 

Jerry Buss -- owner of the Los Angeles Lakers -- died early this morning at the age of 80.

Buss had been hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in L.A. for the past few months due to a previously undisclosed intestinal problem ... though it was revealed yesterday he'd been battling cancer the entire time.

After starting his career as a chemist, Buss soon found his true calling in the real estate biz ... snapping up properties all over L.A. before moving on to the sporting world.

In 1979, Buss made history when he purchased the Lakers, the L.A. Kings and The Forum for $67.5 million -- at that time, the largest transaction in sports.

Under his ownership, Buss watched dozens of all-time greats -- including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant -- win the Lakers 10 NBA Championships. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

Buss was also an avid poker player ... and appeared on several TV shows, including "High Stakes Poker" and "Poker After Dark."

He is survived by his six children.

Famed L.A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss was rushed to an L.A. hospital last night, where he was treated for severe dehydration -- Buss family sources tell TMZ.

According to sources, 78-year-old Buss fell ill at his home around 9pm and someone inside the house called 911. The L.A. City Fire Department responded and paramedics rushed Jerry to a local L.A. hospital.

Jerry is still being treated, but a rep for the Lakers says, "He is recovering and is expected to be released soon."

Buss was most recently hospitalized in December for blood clots in his legs due to excessive travel.

Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss is hospitalized in L.A. for blood clots in his leg ... this according to a rep for the team. 

We're told doctors believe the 77-year-old's condition was caused by "excessive travel."

The rep adds, "He's progressing well and expects to be released in the next day or two."