The Lakers’ offseason already had plenty going on, but the biggest change may have come away from the floor. Los Angeles has remade parts of the roster, and now the franchise itself has a new ownership group after a record-setting sale that pushed the summer into another gear.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that “The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, a record-breaking price, multiple sources told ESPN. The businessmen were involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, but in a stunning turn, they pivoted to make an aggressive offer to buy the Lakers from Mark Walter, who purchased a controlling interest in the team from the Buss family last year for a then-record franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion,”
Not long after that news broke, Luka Doncic made it clear where he stands. In a post, he said, “Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA.
I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together,”
Even with that public commitment, the Lakers still have a situation to watch. Doncic is not tied to the team by a long-term deal, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said that leaves room for questions if the organization keeps shifting around him.
“[Nikola Jokic] can profess his loyalty to the [Denver] Nuggets, there's still going to be teams that are positioning themselves and monitoring that. ... It's the same thing with Luka. He's done nothing but express optimism and excitement ... but it's not that long-term of an extension,” MacMahon said.
MacMahon’s point is that Doncic and Jokic are in similar spots: both stars have said the right things about their current teams, but neither situation fully shuts the door on outside interest. That’s why the Lakers’ latest changes matter beyond the headlines.
Doncic has clearly embraced Los Angeles so far. Still, if the franchise keeps altering its ownership setup or heads in a basketball direction he doesn’t like, the conversation around his future could get louder. For now, he remains the face of the Lakers, but the uncertainty around his long-term situation is real enough to keep on the radar.
In Other News...
Hornets Could Have A Center Opportunity Worth Watching Closely
Jalen Durens next contract has become one of the more interesting front-office situations to watch, especially after a strong regular season turned into a shakier playoff showing. The Pistons are now weighing whether to commit long term to a center whose production is obvious, but whose postseason effectiveness still raises questions, and that uncertainty has already pushed his name into wider league conversation.
For teams like the Lakers, that kind of standoff is worth tracking closely. Los Angeles is always alert to center options, and if Duren ever reaches the market, the list of possible suitors could include not just Detroits rivals in Charlotte and Golden State, but also a Lakers club that knows frontcourt upgrades are rarely easy to find. For now, the situation is still in negotiation, but it has the feel of a move that could ripple well beyond Detroit. [Read more 🡒]
Lakers Face A Tough Call On A Former First Round Wing
The Lakers are heading toward a familiar late-summer squeeze, with one more player on the roster than the regular-season limit and at least one cut looming before training camp ends. That alone makes the back end of the roster worth watching, especially with a few young guards and wings trying to hold onto their spots while the front office sorts through the numbers.
Dalton Knecht is one of the names that complicates the decision, because the former first-round wing opened his rookie season in promising fashion before the momentum faded. If the Lakers decide not to exercise his option, the path could shift quickly, and a trade or buyout would become part of the conversation as the team tries to keep its roster flexible. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Fans Have One Big Reason To Watch Kumingas Next Move
Jonathan Kuminga has quickly become one of the more interesting names on the Lakers radar as they keep working through a potential sign-and-trade that would send Jarred Vanderbilt, draft capital and possibly Jaden Hardy the other way. The 23-year-old forward is reportedly down to a short list that includes Los Angeles and Minnesota, with the Lakers emerging as his preferred landing spot while the club continues to sort out the trade framework with Atlanta, which holds his rights.
For the Lakers, the appeal is obvious. They have already put a deal on the table worth around $45 million, and adding a young, athletic wing with room to grow would fit both the present and future better than a simple short-term move. The remaining hurdle is getting all the moving parts aligned, and until that happens, Kumingas next step stays one of the more closely watched pieces of the teams offseason. [Read more 🡒]