Big changes already coming down for Lakers in Mark Walter era

RC Nazemi

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Big changes already coming down for Lakers in Mark Walter era image

In a blockbuster move last summer, the Los Angeles Lakers' majority ownership was sold from Jeanie Buss to Mark Walter.

It instantly became the largest sale of a sports franchise in history, totalling over $10B. 

For a franchise that has been owned by the same family since the 1980s, the move was quite shocking. The new owner of the team, however, was no surprise at all.  

Mark Walter might not be one of the most recognizable names in sports, but he's certainly heavily involved. Walter owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Sparks and a minority stake in Chelsea FC. Walter also owns an entire professional women's hockey league (PWHL) and the soon-to-be-introduced Cadillac F1 team. 

He is no stranger to sports, or the success of his teams, for that matter. Known for his lack of worry surrounding financial ramifications (specifically with Dodgers contracts), it's certainly paid off in the form of three World Series victories. 

It's been a topic of debate since the sale: when exactly would we start to see the effects of Walter purchasing the team? That day looks like today. 

MORE: Lakers' record-breaking $10B majority ownership sale stuns NBA sphere

Lakers terminating Jesse and Joey Buss

In a shocking move, it was announced by ESPN's Shams Charania that the Lakers would be reorganizing basketball operations and parting ways with the Buss brothers. 

This move is a big surprise for a few reasons. The first being that this is the first official move by new ownership in the Mark Walter era. The second reason is that this is certainly not the move anyone saw coming.

For reference, the Buss brothers, while not as forward-facing as their sister and majority owner Jeanie, were integral parts of this organization.

Heavily involved in scouting, they were responsible for finding late-round/undrafted talent like Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Clarkson.

While they will still remain minority owners, it will be interesting to see what their absence in the scouting department looks like. 

Walter had to make an initial move at some point to make the organization his own. I just don't think anyone expected it to be this. 

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Contributing Writer