In June 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers made NBA history by agreeing to sell a controlling stake to billionaire investor Mark Walter, valuing the franchise at roughly $10 billion.
Despite the seismic ownership change, team governor Jeanie Buss is contracted to remain in charge for several years, an arrangement that firmly connects Rob Pelinka‘s and certain players’ job security to her tenure.
According to reporting, Jeanie Buss “will remain in charge of the Lakers for the foreseeable future” as part of the sale agreement.
Her continued presence as governor means Pelinka is expected to remain as general manager “for as long as Jeanie‘s in place.”
In effect, Buss‘s leadership ensures front-office continuity during this period of transition.
Jubilation and underlying tension
As the Lakers recently celebrated Luka Doncic‘s three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension, Walter arranged a VIP concert experience in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The excess of fanfare emphasized the franchise’s excitement in staking their future around Doncic.
Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, both offseason acquisitions, were present during the celebrations, symbolic new pillars in the lineup alongside Doncic. It was Doncic who reportedly played a key role in recruiting them to L.A.
But while fans celebrated in Las Vegas, one star was noticeably absent: LeBron James, the Lakers‘ oldest roster member and fourtime NBA champion. His noshow drew sharp commentary and immediate speculation.
Fox Sports analyst Jason Martin offered a pointed take:
“I make of it that LeBron James wanted to be noticeable by his invisibility.”
He added that under full control of Mark Walter, as he has with the Dodgers, LeBron likely would have been traded already.
Instead, Martin credits Jeanie Buss with preserving both LeBron‘s place and that of Pelinka.
“Another point… if Jeanie Buss was, say, completely gone… Mark Walter would have fired Rob Pelinka. He would have hired Sam Presti… LeBron would be running laps in Cleveland… they would have traded him for Jarrett Allen…”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin echoed this view, noting “so long as Jeanie’s in place… Rob Pelinka will be in place” as well, suggesting a tight alignment between Buss’s role and the stability of the team’s management.
Since Doncic opted into his $52.6 million salary for 2024-25, the Lakers have issued zero external acknowledgment, no press release or social media push, despite extending him.
In contrast, the franchise poured energy into the Doncic celebration, emphasizing a sharp divergence in how Doncic and LeBron are being handled by the front office.
LeBron‘s agent Rich Paul added fuel to the speculation: “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career…”
LeBron himself was equally noncommittal during Summer League, stating: “I ain’t got nothing to talk about” when asked about his future on ESPN broadcasts, adding to the unease surrounding his status in L.A.
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