As Lakers Face Crucial Decisions, Who’s Really Running the Team?

As they head into what could be a franchise-defining season that could be LeBron James last and Luka Doncic’s full first in purple and gold, the big question everybody is asking is who’s really running the Lakers right now?

Why that’s so important is the Lakers currently face critical decisions on their future direction as they seek to win their #18 title this year while also trying to construct a sustainable championship team around Luka Doncic. Under Jeanie Buss, the Lakers have never been considered as one of the better run or professionally managed NBA franchises. Their team decision-making has been fair at best and the success mainly attributed to location.

All that changes with Mark Walter, who’s ownership transformed the Los Angeles Dodgers into the world’s most successful major league baseball team, attracting the best players and winning 2 of the last 5 World Series.
Suddenly the mom-and-pop Lakers who always cut costs to save expenses now have their own aggressive billionaire owner who will spend whatever’s needed to find the best people and MLB players to win championships.

Right now, the Lakers plan to wait until midseason before trading for a defensive starting small forward and quality backup center. Their plan is to be able to offer 3 first round picks to replace LeBron James next draft day.
These are the kinds of decisions that are crucial to the future of the Lakers and should be being made by Mark Walter and his team rather than Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka and their close knit inner circle of long-time advisors.

What the Lakers need is the visionary ownership of Mark Walter who’s willing to go all-in to win championships by building an elite organization with a unified goal and vision for how to build a sustainable dynasty.

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1. MARK WALTER WAS LAKERS INSIDER, NOT OUTSIDER

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The difference between the sale of the Lakers to Mark Walter and the sales of the Celtics to Bill Chisholm’s group and Mavericks to the Adelson and Dumont families was Mark Walter was already a Lakers’ minority owner.

Back in the summer of 2021, Mark Walter and Todd Boehly, the highly successful owners of the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, purchased Phil Anschutz’s 27% minority ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.
Credit Jeanie Buss for her vision and projecting sports entrepreneur Mark Walter as the perfect successor to the Buss family as the L.A. Lakers’ next great owner. Four years later, Walter bought majority interest in Lakers.

The Celtics and Mavericks were sold to outsiders, who moved quickly to take control of their new franchises, whereas Mark Walter already owned 18% of the Lakers in 2021 before he bought the 51% share from the Busses.
Mark Walter now owns 78% of the Lakers, which is worth close to $8 billion today with the franchise value now pegged at a world record setting $10 billion. The Busses still own 15% and other parties own the remaining 7%.

That Mark Walter was already a Lakers investor not only gave him a big advantage in receiving inside information over the last four years but also a proven level of confidence in Jeanie Buss and her management team.
Unlike the Dallas and Boston new owners, Mark Walter does not need ramp up time to figure out what to do. He already has a plan for the Lakers based on what he did with the Dodgers and what he’s seen the last four year.

Regardless of how long Jeanie Buss and her brothers and other long-time Lakers’ employees remain in the organization, Mark Walter did not spend $5 billion for 51% of the Lakers for somebody else to make the decisions.

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2. WHO’S MAKING THE DECISIONS RIGHT NOW MATTERS

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The problem with Lakers’ ownership and management in the Jeanie Buss era has been the lack of a visionary force with the personal charisma and executive vision to drive the team to a sustainable championship future.

Since Jerry Buss, the Lakers have relied more on their legacy, popularity, luck, and coveted L.A. location than embracing any specific basketball philosophy or strategy other than winning now with the biggest names.
But in just one year, the Lakers somehow someway landed the franchise’s next superstar coach, player, and owner. JJ Redick, Luka Doncic, and Mark Walter could be the Lakers new Pat Riley, Kobe Bryant, and Jerry Buss.

There is no way that Mark Walter is not going to be the main shot caller for the Lakers as they try to win a final ring for LeBron while building a future juggernaut by surrounding Luka Doncic with a championship rotation.
Despite tougher roster building rules in the NBA, Mark Walter is not going to need extensive ramp up time to take over the Lakers. He already knows everybody in the organization and where his wealth and vision can help.

The main mega decisions Mark Walter and the Lakers must make is how to get the elite starting defensive wing and backup center they need without giving up a first round pick so they can offer three picks next draft day.
Here’s where we may see Mark Walter and his team overrule Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka and decide trading Austin Reaves is the smart way for the Lakers to upgrade their roster to championship status while keeping pick.

Who’s making the decisions for the Lakers right now is critically important. Despite stories otherwise, Mark Walter is now in full control of the Los Angeles Lakers and will be the one driving every major franchise decision.