Luka Doncic’s Welcome Message for New Lakers Owner Mark Walter

Luka Welcomes Mark Walter

It wasn’t long ago when the Lakers made a shocking trade, sending big but aging man Anthony Davis to the Mavericks for their resident superstar Luka Doncic. Naturally, the Lakers trotted Doncic to the nearest podium like a prized pony as he displayed his new Lakers’ jersey.

But suddenly, the new kid on the block is the first to publicly welcome the new man in charge, Mark Walter, and the Lakers’ sale and change in ownership could signal a renaissance for the franchise. Mark Walter went from a minority owner to the big kahuna with the touch of his pen and a $10 billion check written to the Buss Family.

BREAKING: The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, the CEO and chairman of diversified holding company TWG Global, sources tell ESPN. Jeanie Buss will continue to serve in her role as Governor after the sale. pic.twitter.com/1Da6LDD7TJ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2025

Jeanie Buss is the daughter of former owner Jerry Buss, who passed away in 2012, and will remain governor of the franchise, but you know the whole family will get a taste of Mark’s dough. After all, who doesn’t need a new Rolls in the driveway—last year’s model is just so gauche.

Anyway, Luka Doncic posted on X Thursday morning and wrote, “The Lakers are an amazing organization. I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them to win championships!”

The Lakers are an amazing organization. I’m looking forward to meeting Mark and excited about the future. I am also grateful to Jeanie and the Buss family for welcoming me to LA, and I’m happy that Jeanie will continue to be involved. I look forward to working with both of them…

— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) June 19, 2025

New-Look Lakers

LeBron James has been in LA since the 2018-2019 season, with one world title to his credit as a member of the Lakers (2019-2020 season). Despite winning the Pacific via terms of a tie-breaker with the Clippers last season, they were one-and-done in the postseason, bowing to the T-Wolves in five games in the opening round.

James is now 40 and has enough gas left in the tank to ply his trade for a few more years. Whether he remains part of the LA Lakers family is up to the new owner. Mark Walter’s net worth is approximately $6.1 billion, and right now the NBA Finals odds are +1600 for them to win it all next season at BetUS Sportsbook.

Owning the Lakers AND Dodgers is the hardest flex

— Wells P (@Wells_P) June 18, 2025

I’m not sure about you, but LeBron has that “been there, done that” look about him, and he’s already talked about moving into acting after his basketball career is over. He could very well be shipped out as the new owner flexes a bit, as he did when he became the owner of the Dodgers.

LeBron James says he would like to explore acting after his basketball career.

“If the scripts start to roll in and there’s an opportunity for me to do some acting and I have the time — obviously, post-career — I don’t mind looking at it

(Source: https://t.co/8mNtjo2EYe) pic.twitter.com/ixm67FgJ8X

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 18, 2025

The man has no hesitation about spending money, but spending it on the right players is a priority. When you shell out $10 billion, maybe as high as $12 billion, for a new toy, buying the fancy accessories is not a problem. Doncic appears here to stay, but everything else is on the table.

Some experts have already revealed their NBA betting predictions for next season. Only time will tell who’s right, but chances are there will be more moves being made in LA, and money won’t be an issue.