The Los Angeles Lakers’ new ownership group led by Mark Walter is preparing to expand resources across basketball operations, a shift that could reshape the franchise’s long-term roster building strategy. Team vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka confirmed the organization expects increased investment following the historic $10 billion sale.
Khobi Price reported Pelinka’s comments about the incoming financial flexibility, quoting the executive as saying, “there is no expense they’ll spare in being the best sort of front office in the world…I think now we’ll have an opportunity just with extra resources that Mark brings to build it out and become even better. So that’s going to be an exciting thing for us in the offseason that Jeanie and I will lead.”
The Lakers finalized the ownership transition in October 2025 after NBA approval, ending nearly five decades of Buss family control while keeping Jeanie Buss in a leadership role as governor. Walter, who previously owned a minority stake, brings a spending philosophy similar to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a model centered on depth, infrastructure and sustained contention.
From a basketball perspective, the franchise has already begun adjusting its roster construction. At the February 5 trade deadline, Los Angeles acquired elite shooter Luke Kennard from Atlanta, sending Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to create more spacing around Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Kennard entered the move leading the NBA in three-point percentage at 49.7% and posting a rare 50/40/90 shooting split, which aligns with the team’s need to maximize offensive efficiency around its high-usage playmakers. The Lakers average 116.0 points per game while shooting 49.9% from the field, numbers built on perimeter creation and interior efficiency from Deandre Ayton.
Pelinka previously described the team’s deadline approach as aggressive, noting that avoiding unfavorable deals was part of maintaining roster balance. The addition of shooting reflects a strategy focused on optimizing spacing rather than sacrificing depth for short-term headlines.
Los Angeles currently sits fifth in the Western Conference at 32-20, trailing top contenders but positioned within the playoff race. Doncic leads the club with 32.8 points and 8.6 assists per game, while Austin Reaves adds 25.7 points and LeBron James contributes 21.8 points and 6.9 assists, forming one of the league’s most versatile offensive cores.
