Lakers reportedly could hire 11x All-Star, 21-year veteran for front office role after $12.5B sale originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a shocking start to their Wednesday as their already eventful offseason took another unexpected turn. After significant changes to the roster over the last couple of months, the organization underwent a major change at the ownership level as well.
The Lakers will now begin the season under new ownership after the franchise was sold for a record-setting $12.5 billion.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, a record-breaking price, multiple sources told ESPN. The businessmen were involved in the expansion process in Las Vegas, but in a stunning turn, they pivoted to make an aggressive offer to buy the Lakers from Mark Walter, who purchased a controlling interest in the team from the Buss family last year for a then-record franchise valuation of approximately $10 billion,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne wrote.
The new ownership group could bring several changes to the organization. One of the biggest could involve Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who could potentially lose his job.
“A new ownership group will typically want to leave their mark on a franchise. For the front office, that often means installing decision-makers they believe in. That is where Pelinka could feel the pressure. The current team president is a Jeanie Buss guy. His continued promotion up the ranks within the organization has largely been tied to her presence. If Kushner and Iger intend to make an immediate impact, and put their own people in key decision-making roles, that could involve sacking Pelinka for someone they have more faith in,” Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.
Additionally, NBA legend Chris Paul could soon be brought into the Lakers' front office.
“Chris Paul could soon have a front office role on the Lakers after their ownership change, per @mcten. CP3 holds a very close relationship with LA’s new majority co-owner Bob Iger,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Adding Paul to the front office would be an interesting move, as he has never held an executive role before, but he possesses many of the qualities that could make him successful in one. The 11-time All-Star is widely regarded as one of the smartest players to ever play the game, and his basketball IQ could be extremely valuable in a front-office position.
It could mark a new chapter in Paul's basketball career, one he would likely take immense pride in. The Lakers could benefit from the knowledge and experience Paul gained throughout his 21-year career, potentially allowing his impact on the game to continue long after his playing days.
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