The Los Angeles Lakers, long regarded as one of the NBA’s most prestigious franchises, are once again changing ownership in a move that has stunned the basketball world.
Just 14 months after billionaire Mark Walter acquired a controlling interest in the team from the Buss family for a valuation of roughly $10 billion, reports indicate that Josh Kushner and Bob Iger have agreed to purchase the Lakers for a record $12.5 billion.
The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, still requires approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors and remains subject to due diligence.
The rapid turnaround has raised eyebrows across the league. The Buss family had controlled the Lakers since Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979, building it into a global brand synonymous with championships and star power.
Walter’s ownership tenure proved remarkably brief for a franchise of this stature, and the swift flip has invited speculation about the underlying reasons.
Former Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma did not hold back in his reaction. The 31-year-old, who won a title with the team in 2020, posted a pointed message on social media.
“Nobody flips a crown jewel in 14 months because (it’s going well),” Kuzma posted on X.
Kuzma’s comment captured a sentiment shared by many observers who question why an owner would part with such a valuable asset so quickly if the situation were truly positive.
Kuzma’s connection to the Lakers runs deep. Selected 27th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft and immediately traded to Los Angeles, he emerged as a key young piece during the early years of the LeBron James era.
He played an important supporting role alongside James and Anthony Davis during the 2019-20 championship run in the Orlando bubble. Over 276 games with the Lakers, Kuzma averaged 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists before being traded to the Washington Wizards in the 2021 deal that brought Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles.
While Kuzma’s jab stood out for its skepticism, other voices around the franchise struck a more optimistic tone. Kushner and Iger released a joint statement expressing their honor at becoming stewards of the Lakers and their commitment to competing at the highest level while serving the team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.
Luka Doncic, the current face of the franchise, emphasized his excitement about the future and the unlimited potential of the organization. Magic Johnson, a Lakers legend, praised the new owners, particularly highlighting his long personal relationship with Iger and confidence that championships would return to Los Angeles.
The sale marks another chapter in the Lakers’ evolving ownership history. Whether the new leadership can stabilize the franchise and restore its recent competitive edge remains to be seen, but the conversation has already begun—with Kuzma’s pointed observation serving as an early and memorable entry.
