Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić finally broke his silence following the franchise’s sale to LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter for a staggering $10 billion valuation.
It was the largest sale of a professional sports team ever.
The Slovenian star puts to bed whatever questions about his long-term future with the Lakers following the transfer of ownership.
“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!” Dončić posted on X.
The Buss family will keep a minority share of the team, just over 15%, for a period of time, according to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania, to keep Jeanie as the team governor for the foreseeable future.
Walter, who transformed the Dodgers into the best baseball team since he took over in 2011, is looking to have the same effect on the Lakers.
The Dodgers have won two World Series, four National League pennants and 11 West Division titles since 2011. On the other hand, the Lakers had only won one NBA championship, one conference finals and division title during that span.
The first order of business in Walter’s majority ownership of the Lakers is securing Dončić’s long-term future.
Dončić is eligible to extend for four years, worth $229 million.
However, ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks predicts the Lakers star will sign a shorter deal with an eye towards a richer contract after this extension.
“More likely: a three-year, $165 million extension that includes a player option in the third year. The short-term extension allows Doncic to reenter free agency sooner and potentially recoup the $345 million he lost when he was traded from the Mavericks,” Marks wrote in his offseason guide for the Lakers.
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