Under Mark Walter's ownership, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to increase spending, expand their front office, and potentially reconsider Austin Reaves' role on the roster.
The year 2025 has already been a wild ride for the Los Angeles Lakers. First, they pulled off the trade of the decade by acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.
2-pointers this season
Los Angeles Lakers
NBA
Then, billionaire Mark Walter became the team's new majority owner, reportedly purchasing the historic franchise for around $10 billion.
"I think he's going to put a lot more money, and that's the great thing for the Lakers," said Jovan Buha of The Athletic, sharing his initial reaction to the ownership change. "I think this is huge for the Lakers. This is going to sound crazy, but this could be bigger than the Luka trade.
"I think the Lakers can take that leap and be regarded as one of the best organizations not only in the NBA but also in sports, period. And if they make that leap, which I expect them to, we're talking about a juggernaut here of an organization," the team beat writer added.
"Like they're already, I would contend, the most valuable franchise in the NBA. I don't think the Warriors or the Knicks are selling for $10 billion. Could be wrong. Obviously, the franchise prices continue to go up."
New ownership often brings organizational changes, and Lakers Nation should expect a shift, starting with increased spending.
For the 2024–25 season, the NBA's second apron is set at approximately $188.9 million in total team payroll. That's $17.5 million above the luxury tax line ($170.8 million) and $11 million above the first apron ($178.1 million).
"The second apron is punitive," Buha noted. "I would assume that they'd be willing to spend into the second apron if it made sense. ... My quick read on it right now is they would be more likely to spend into the second apron, where I did not think the Buss family would do that. It was pretty much a hard cap for them at that second apron line."
Still, Buha cautioned against reckless spending.
"I would say the second apron is going to be something that they try to avoid, just because most organizations try to avoid the second apron," he said. "But if they have to go over it, if they have a championship-level roster, I think it makes sense."
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Another likely change under new ownership is an expansion of the front office.
"I do [think that's coming]. I'm not sure if that's going to be immediate or if that's something maybe later in the summer, but Lakers have one of the smallest front offices in the league, and I think they need to bolster that," he said. "In my opinion, that's the area they could serve to grow the most."
As for roster moves, Buha suggested that Austin Reaves could be slightly more likely to be traded under Mark Walter's leadership than under Jeanie Buss.
"Austin was a beloved or is a beloved figure by ownership, including Jeannie Buss," Buha explained. "Could Austin be more likely to be moved now? Potentially, yes.
"But it also could be 1% more likely or 5% more likely or even 10% more likely, which is a notable increase, but not necessarily. I don't think it's like a huge shift. But I could be wrong on that," Buha continued.
"I think it [probability] probably went up by a little bit. But I still would expect him to be on the roster going into next season."
The Buss family had owned the Lakers since 1979.
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