All articles tagged with #los angeles lakers
Luka Dončić has emerged as the undisputed leader of the Los Angeles Lakers, with teammates praising his improved communication and physical conditioning. While the roster has been rebuilt around his style, former coach Byron Scott remains skeptical of the team’s competitive standing against Western Conference powerhouses.
Luka Dončić is stepping into a primary leadership role for the Lakers, praised by teammates for improved communication and physical conditioning, though former coach Byron Scott remains skeptical of the team's competitive standing in the West.
The Los Angeles Lakers rested their entire starting lineup, including Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler, for a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won 124-98, with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scoring 17 points. The Lakers' bench, led by Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili, struggled against the Warriors' depth.
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 127-103 in a preseason exhibition, with Luka Doncic scoring 21 points in the first half. The team showcased a new defensive strategy focused on full-court pressure, led by Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. Bronny James received second-half playing time, contributing assists and a three-pointer. Key players Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler were absent due to injuries.
The Los Angeles Lakers are showing strong defensive promise in early training camp, with coach JJ Redick praising the physicality of new wing additions Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams. Austin Reaves believes the team's defensive upgrades could make them championship contenders, while Redick admits he is overcoming early 'imposter syndrome' as a head coach.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ leadership faces severe pressure to deliver immediate success as new owners Bob Iger and Josh Kushner scrutinize the team’s performance. General manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick held a press conference filled with literary metaphors, acknowledging the difficulty of rebuilding without LeBron James. While Redick expressed confidence in the new roster’s chemistry, the tone suggested a lack of clear direction, raising concerns about job security for both executives.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves reportedly trimmed his four-year deal to about $180 million to give the team more cap flexibility, while spending Labor Day weekend on a boat with his girlfriend Jenna Barber in Mexico. The undrafted standout averaged 23 points last season and is being positioned as a leadership figure for a Lakers squad moving forward without LeBron James.
Lakers staff reportedly pushed back against the Dodgers’ analytics-forward approach, with some noting arrogance and communication gaps in the cross-sport integration, even as leadership under Iger and Kushner brings cautious optimism and recognition that NBA analytics operate differently from baseball.
Media reports that Bob Iger would own a controlling share of the Los Angeles Lakers have been greatly exaggerated. Kushner is expected to be the lone controlling shareholder with at least 15% ownership, while Iger would be a minority investor potentially involved in day-to-day operations but not the governor of the team. The deal centers on Walter’s 64% stake for about $12.5 billion and is still under NBA review, with other principals like Todd Boehly remaining limited partners. Iger’s exact net worth is unclear, but the emphasis in coverage is on his role rather than full control.
Jonathan Kuminga signs a two-year, $12.4 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a 2027-28 player option, choosing a short-term arrangement over a bigger Lakers offer and preserving the chance to re-enter free agency next summer. Minnesota aims to slot him into a starting role beside LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, but to fit the salary under the second apron they may part with Josh Green via a stretch or trade. If Kuminga embraces a connector role, finishes at the rim, and defends at a high level, the move could pay off; if not, his free-agent path could again stretch into the offseason.
Jeanie Buss has filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court to block the sale of the Buss family’s remaining 17.8% Lakers stake by siblings Joey and Janie Buss, seeks removal of them as co-trustees, and accuses them of defying fiduciary duties and a 2017 order; a hearing is set for November 15 as Iger and Kushner move forward with their Lakers purchase.
TWG Global, the holding company behind Mark Walter’s insurance-and-investment empire, says there has been no fire sale and no fraud as U.S. prosecutors and the SEC review its affiliated investments; it asserts cooperation with DoJ/SEC inquiries and ongoing efforts to dispose of affiliated assets, noting that the Lakers stake is being explored for sale at a premium while other holdings like the Dodgers and Chelsea FC are not in a sale process.
Shaquille O’Neal says he admires the Buss family’s decision to sell their Lakers shares to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for $12.5 billion, calling it a monumental business move; Jeanie Buss may challenge the sale, potentially triggering a legal battle, while a path for her to stay governor could involve buying back a stake, and reporter Shams Charania stands by his coverage amid the dispute.
Mark Walter reportedly sought to exit the Lakers' local TV deal early by negotiating with Charter Communications for a lump-sum payout, a move tied to liquidity as he sells his majority Lakers stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner. The Raine Group has been involved with selling Spectrum SportsNet, and it’s unclear how Walter’s sale will affect those processes, with a Chelsea stake on the table and Buss family disputes not expected to derail the deal.
Jeanie Buss is seeking to halt the Buss family’s plan to sell the Lakers’ remaining stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, arguing that a 2017 court order requires cotrustees to maintain at least 15% ownership so she can remain the controlling owner; the 17.8% sale announced by the family values the deal at $12.5 billion and would leave Iger and Kushner with about 83% of the team, but NBA approval is still pending for the sale.