The Los Angeles Lakers secured their future when they traded for Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks before this year’s trade deadline. General manager Rob Pelinka said the move was to help the team’s future.
Before his arrival, Los Angeles fans wondered what direction the team would go once LeBron James retired. Now, the Lakers and prospective new owner Mark Walter have a chance to grow alongside Doncic and continue the team’s rich history of championships.
Walter entered into an agreement to purchase the Lakers from Jeanie Buss for $10 billion on Wednesday in one of the biggest transactions in sports history. Walter, who owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, is an opportunistic owner who does not hesitate to spend to give his team the best chance at a title.
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It is now up to Walter and Doncic to make sure they deliver on high expectations. Here are five ways the Lakers' new owner could help his star succeed in a new era of basketball in Los Angeles.
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#1 Luxury tax to fill out the roster around Doncic
Throughout the second half of the season and into the playoffs, the biggest concern for the Lakers was their lack of depth and size down low. The Timberwolves dominated in the paint during their first-round series, winning in five games.
With Walter at the helm, Los Angeles is expected to become a much more expensive team when it comes to payroll.
Walter has a history of paying free agents whatever they ask and more to attract them to his team. He gave Shohei Ohtani a 10-year, $700 million contract in 2024 to convince him to come to the Dodgers. He won't be able to give out contracts like that in the NBA, but the Lakers don't need to worry about their payroll being too expensive.
Overly expensive NBA teams have had success, as recently as the 2024 Boston Celtics. Walter could mimic their path and try to sign as many big names as he can this summer. Doncic is still the leader of the team, but bringing in as many supporting stars as possible puts the Lakers in the best place to win another title.
#2 Keep Doncic in purple and gold by any means necessary
Doncic is up for a contract extension this summer, and the Lakers could offer him a four-year, $228 million deal. As the owner of the Dodgers, Walter has learned that retaining superstars is paramount to success. The fact that he was able to keep players like Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Ohtani for so many years is a testament to his commitment to his stars.
If Doncic stays with the Lakers, he could enjoy the same treatment, potentially cultivating a relationship that sees him involved in free-agent acquisitions and trades throughout the year. That puts the young guard in a position to build the team around him.
#3 Walter's commitment to player development fits what the Lakers want moving forward
Before the season kicked off, both Redick and Pelinka harped on the fact that developing players drafted by the Lakers was an important piece to their future. They spoke about incoming rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James as two players the team was focused on molding into effective role players alongside stars like Doncic and James.
Walter's philosophy is similar, albeit in a different environment. The Dodgers have one of the best development systems in the league, growing prospects into solid role players and then into stars. The best examples are Will Smith and Kershaw who grew from young, inexperienced players into All-Stars.
Walter could view the Lakers' G-League team as his development system as he settles into his role as owner. With the rules of the first and second apron trying to crack down on spending and abuse of the cap, the draft and player development have become more important than ever. If Walter can run an effective system, Los Angeles could be set up for years to come.
#4 Walter's involvement in the Dodgers and Lakers is good for both
Even though there are other MLB and NBA teams in Los Angeles, the Dodgers and Lakers have set themselves apart. Both organizations are known for attracting the biggest names in their respective sports and putting together star-studded teams. Each team has interacted with the other before, but with Walter owning both now, they could become more intertwined than ever.
For example, Doncic and Ohtani have been near the top of their league in jersey sales since their careers started. Both enjoyed massive boosts to their popularity when they went to Los Angeles. If Walter is willing to combine his two biggest investments, each of them could reach a new audience and become the co-faces of the city together.
While there is not a distinct separation between the MLB and NBA when it comes to how they operate, the latter is far more popular in today's world. If Walter can figure out a way to have each organization promote the other, it could result in more people supporting both teams, increasing revenue.
#5 Walter is a quiet owner, putting the spotlight on his players instead
There are owners across the NBA who are very involved with their teams and the decisions they make throughout a season. While Jeanie Buss did not appear in front of the media when they happened, she was a major factor in some of the deals the Lakers have pulled off over the last few years.
Walter's approach is different. He tends to help make deals and attract stars, but he is not a person who takes credit. He rarely attends Dodgers games and speaks to the media even less. That quiet demeanor has helped his players focus on their game, leading to success that speaks for itself.
In the NBA world, no team experiences more drama or media attention than the Lakers. Doncic will have to deal with constant pressure from the outside world to succeed and bring Los Angeles a title. Luckily for him, he will not receive that attention from Walter, who is known to take a step back and let his top players do what they do best, giving their team everything they can in order to win.
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