The Los Angeles Lakers face a dramatic situation at the moment. Ownership of the NBA franchise is set to change hands for the second time in two years, with Mark Walter selling his majority stake in the organization to Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner at a $12.5 billion valuation. The transition creates an unusual environment for the franchise that could potentially cause discontent for Luka Doncic.
As a result, teams around the NBA are monitoring Doncic’s situation just in case things go wrong, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “Just like [Nikola Jokic] can profess his loyalty to the Nuggets, there’s still going to be teams that are positioning themselves and monitoring that and all that kind of thing,” MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective. “It’s the same thing with Luka. He’s done nothing but express optimism and excitement about the Lakers since he signed that extension.”
“But it’s not that long-term of an extension,” MacMahon added. “And you better believe there’s teams around the league that are looking at that situation saying, ‘Hey, if this thing goes sideways, we’d sure like to get Luka in midway through his prime.’“
Doncic reacts to latest ownership shift
Doncic‘s reaction remains critical for the franchise as its main face and star figure for years to come. The incoming group will mark the fifth different owner or ownership group Doncic has played under in recent years.
Luka Doncic of Los Angeles Lakers.
The six-time All-Star brought up the frequent turnover when reacting to the sale. “Being a Laker means everything to me, and I’m excited to get back on the court and bring a championship to LA,” Doncic stated.
“I’ve gotten used to big changes over these last few years, but I know that no matter what, there is no limit to the potential of this iconic franchise. I look forward to meeting Josh and Bob so we can get to work building something special in LA together.”
Doncic’s on-court production and loyalty
Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per NBA game in 2025-26, has shown remarkable performance alongside a loyal track record. The 27-year-old never wanted to leave the Mavericks and was stunned when traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025.
