Lakers Had 'A Weird Vibe Last Year,' Says NBA Insider in New Rumors After Historic Sale

After the surprise sale of the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record-breaking $12.5 billion, more details emerged about former owner Mark Walter's brief tenure at the helm of the franchise.

Walter purchased the Lakers from the Buss family in 2025 for a then-record $10 billion, making him the team's first new controlling owner in 46 years. Just 14 months later, the franchise will have to get used to another new set of owners.

The Athletic's Alex Andrejev, Melody Gutierrez and Rebecca Tauber reported that under Walter's leadership, the Lakers "conducted multiple rounds of layoffs and announced a significant increase in season-ticket prices, with some raised by more than 40 percent." While these moves were "designed to increase profits," they created an air of uncertainty within the organization.

"It was a weird vibe last year," one "well-placed" league source said of the team.

It was reported that the initial expectation was for Walter's purchase of the Lakers to lead them "from their family ownership past into a new era of modernization," but "few of those changes took hold." Amid the tumult behind the scenes, Los Angeles ended the year by getting swept out of the playoffs in the second round, and the team lost star forward LeBron James to free agency when he opted to continue his legendary career with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Another business decision that raised eyebrows was the Lakers moving their G League affiliate from inside their El Segundo facility to the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs. The move reportedly "frustrated Lakers basketball executives because it distanced the team from its developmental players and coaches."

The change in ownership could lead to more friction within the organization, so the Lakers could have a hard time contending for a title if the drama seeps into the 2026-27 season.