In a significant shift for Los Angeles sports, Mark Walter, the billionaire owner of the Dodgers, has taken over the majority share of the Lakers from the Buss family. This marks the end of an era that began in 1979 when Dr.
Jerry Buss acquired the team. Lakers fans are buzzing with optimism, especially given Walter's success with the Dodgers, who have clinched back-to-back World Series titles and three championships in the last six years.
Jeanie Buss, daughter of the late Dr. Buss and the current governor of the Lakers, shared insights during a CNBC interview.
She emphasized her father's legacy and his desire for the Lakers to remain at the pinnacle of the NBA. "He would want the Lakers to have the resources and unity to stay at the top," Buss remarked, reflecting on her father's vision for the franchise.
Under Dr. Buss's ownership, the Lakers enjoyed a golden era, capturing 10 NBA championships and rarely missing the playoffs. However, since his passing in 2013, the team has experienced a more turbulent period, securing just one title and missing the playoffs seven times, including a six-year drought from 2014 to 2019.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are poised for a potential resurgence with approximately $50 million in salary cap space this summer. This financial flexibility opens the door to building a formidable roster around star player Luka Doncic. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the Lakers are planning strategic hires for their front office, potentially mirroring the successful model of the Dodgers.
This move has sparked speculation about the future of general manager Rob Pelinka, with some suggesting his position might be under scrutiny as the team looks to revamp its leadership structure. The coming months promise to be pivotal as the Lakers aim to reclaim their status as NBA elites.