At the beginning of February, Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers in one of the most important moves in NBA history. Now, the Slovenian point guard is once again at the center of another major deal: the sale of the Los Angeles franchise.
The Buss family will cease to be the owner by selling 66% of the shares to Mark Walter, an American businessman whose fortune is estimated at more than $6 billion. The deal, according to some sources, would be closed at around $10 billion, the most expensive figure paid in history to take over a team.
Doncic has left his first words on social media after an operation that has caused an earthquake in world sport. The point guard welcomed the new owner and thanked the previous owners: “The Lakers are an incredible organization. I look forward to meeting Mark and am excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to Los Angeles and I’m glad Jeanie is still involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!”.
The new owner does not haggle when it comes to investing
Walter also owns or has stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, Chelsea and has been characterised in his career by not skimping when it comes to investing and strengthening his teams, so he is likely to do the same with the Lakers.
The Lakers have two major moves to make: managing LeBron James’ retirement and deciding on Doncic’s lucrative extension. There is talk of three seasons in exchange for $160 million or four for $229 million.
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