In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA,
The sale has reignited deep-seated tensions among the six Buss siblings, who remain embroiled in a complex legal dispute over the remaining 17.8% of the franchise held by the family trust. While Jeanie Buss, the current controlling owner, has sought to maintain her position, five of her siblings—Johnny, Jim, Janie, Joey, and Jesse—have voted to utilize "go-along" rights to sell their shares to the Iger-Kushner group. The matter is currently headed toward a scheduled court date on December 8, unless a settlement can be reached beforehand.
A Rapid Transition and Lingering Legal Battles
The path to this sale began when Iger and Kushner, who were initially bidding for a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas, pivoted their focus toward the Lakers. After learning that Walter might be looking to restructure his assets amid federal investigations, the pair approached him with a premium offer. Walter, who had acquired his initial stake in 2021, secured a significant return on his investment, though the deal has drawn scrutiny due to the speed of the transaction and the lack of traditional due diligence.
For Jeanie Buss, the sale represents a significant blow to the succession plan she had carefully cultivated. Having previously hand-picked Walter as the person to eventually take over the franchise, she was reportedly stunned by his decision to flip the team so quickly. Despite public assurances from the new ownership group that they intend to honor existing agreements regarding her role, the ongoing legal challenges from her siblings have cast doubt on the future of the organization's leadership structure.
The uncertainty has also impacted the roster, most notably superstar Luka Doncic. Having been traded to the Lakers in 2025, Doncic now faces the prospect of playing for his fifth set of owners in just three years. While the player has publicly expressed a sense of resignation regarding the constant organizational shifts, the instability remains a significant backdrop to the team's current campaign. As the NBA evaluates the new ownership group for final approval, the Lakers find themselves in a period of profound transition, with the outcome of the Buss family's internal power struggle set to define the next chapter of the franchise's history.
