Lakers Owner Buss Family Sells Majority Stake to Mark Walter for $10 Billion

The Los Angeles Lakers, recently sold for a record $10 billion to Mark Walter, are facing significant roster challenges ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Despite the franchise's high value, the team struggles with acquiring a starting center due to the league's awareness of their desperation, limiting their trade leverage. The Lakers' past mismanagement of assets, including failed trades and premature deals, has compounded these difficulties. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder, potentially NBA champions, face a roster crunch with three 2025 draft picks but limited space, creating an opportunity for the Lakers to trade for talent like Ajay Mitchell or Jaylin Williams. The Lakers plan to address their center position through a two-step process involving trades and the taxpayer midlevel exception for a backup. This dynamic highlights both the Lakers' urgent need to improve their roster and the strategic options available given the Thunder's draft-day dilemma.