The sale of the Lakers to Los Angeles sports mogul Mark Walter should signal a change in the way the franchise operates, writes Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. The record-setting deal, which includes an approximate $10 billion valuation for the franchise, will end more than four decades of control for the Buss family.
Despite their position as one of the NBA’s glamour teams, Vorkunov points out that the Lakers haven’t always been run that way. He states that many of the owners who’ve entered the league in the past few years are more aggressive about investing in high-priced front office and coaching hires and that L.A.’s basketball operations department isn’t as large or free spending as some of the small-market teams.
Vorkunov expects Walter to adopt a different approach based on his stewardship of the Dodgers, who have used an enormous payroll to become an MLB powerhouse. They’re projected to spend $476MM this season in payroll and luxury tax, and they invest heavily to bring in top-notch talent throughout the organization.
“A key difference between baseball and basketball is that you can’t simply outspend everyone on payroll the way the Dodgers do,” an NBA executive told Vorkunov. “But what most people overlook is how much the Dodgers invest beyond just players. They spend at an elite level on infrastructure: front office talent, analytics and player development. Each area is essentially run by a GM-level executive, enabling them to retain top-tier personnel across the board.”
There’s more on the sale of the Lakers:
- The purchase agreement ensures that Jeanie Buss will retain her role as governor and will keep running the team for “at least a number of years,” sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPN (Twitter link). Her sources add that Walter gave his full endorsement to the arrangement, noting that he and Buss have built a strong relationship, especially since he became a minority owner in 2021. Shelburne adds that it’s a different situation that Mark Cuban faced in Dallas, where he didn’t get to keep the operational control he expected after his sale of the team was finalized (Twitter link).
- LeBron James is “comfortable” with the impending sale, Vorkunov and other Athletic reporters add in a separate story. Luka Doncic, who is eligible for a $229MM extension, shared his excitement about the deal on social media. “The Lakers are an amazing organization,” he tweeted. “I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!”
- Mark Medina of RG notes that Buss talked 10 years ago about having the family control the team “forever.” He looks at what has happened over the past decade to make them change their minds.
The idea luka was ever gonna leave the lakers next summer esp fo the nuggets was always very delusional, not as delusional as lakers and warriors fan trade proposals but close
Luka almsot certainly will be a laker till 2028 and go from there
please don’t loop Davey in with all warrior fans. Davey is on a island by himself with those crazy trade ideas.
Luka will leave the most competent ownership group in sports who can maximize his off court value to play in San Antonio Texas!!!
LeBron said “comfortable”. What that means in unfiltered terms is combined with the fact that LeBron only has a couple of years left, a new owner means the clout that he had previously will be significantly diminished. As an example,there will probably be no chance that we have three Jameses in purple and gold next year.
All the major USA sports leagues are being destroyed by billionaire team owners. That group of people are also destroying the entire country on every level.
Billionaires are alllllll bad, folks.
Say what you want about his NBA trade ideas, guys, but this right here tells me Davey J gets the bigger picture….the biggest single threat to humanity……as it always has been – whereas, many years before this you simply replaced the ‘B’ with an ‘M’.
Anyone who hates on others trade ideas are low IQ losers with no intelligence or swag of their own. So much easier to hate than to “yes, and”.
It is overly simplistic to say that all Billionaires are bad. Some manipulate, others are givers.
This is going to effect the Warriors ownership. You can’t own two teams…This might effect The Whatever-City Athletics. Fisher is struggling to come up with the money to fund his Vegas stadium. He is looking to sell part of the team. But, who is going to want to go into business with him. Lacob, at one point, wanted to buy the A’s and build a new stadium in Oaktown. This could give him the money.
Well as long as Lebron is comfortable means we can all sleep easy. What a relief.
You worry that much about LeBron?
@HoopsRumors a new user called “Crying Davey J face” has been registered. Mods, please ban them. Thanks.
Note to Davey J. If you don’t want people to criticize you, stop calling them lovers. So, what if a team hasn’t won a title in 30 years. Some people started rooting for teams as little kids. Hell, Al could probably say Knickerbocker before he could say “dada”. Yet, you keep calling him a loser. I don’t understand why. Respect his Fandom.
Dude are you a teenager …. this clown has no sense of reality. He can’t control himself. Obviously a real condition for him. My love for basketball is why I love the Knicks. Started when I could bounce a ball. But I understand rooting for a team and respecting humanity. Marty has clinical issues. I have been here long enough. I admire his courage to post. Cause he will get dogged by most people. I’m only about the game. Something I know well and respect. Marty could never be part of that ……
And lol Knickerbockers are one of most storied franchises in the history of sports. We have it all in NY when it comes to sports. The most passionate fans are Ranger fans and Knick fans. In NY everyone plays ball growing up. So its a long connection for most fans here. Sports is not about winning. Its about competing. Cause when you compete you always have a chance to win. Yes the chips are better. But the passion and the fandom is in the journey. The building of a team. The chemistry of the team. The team growing into a contender. Then contending for as long ss you can. Then doing it all over again. Anyone who thinks winning is what its all about. Doesn’t understand this game. Winning is the accumulation of good events piling up. The journey is always better. Thats what this game is really about. Only the Lakers and Celtics have had great runs over time. Bulls and Warriors have had great deacade run. And that is all based on drafting right. If Marty really understood this game. He wouldn’t be the miserable human he is.