Los Angeles Lakers Shake Up NBA with Major Free Agency Moves and Landmark Ownership Change

Los Angeles, CA – June 30, 2025 – The Los Angeles Lakers are dominating NBA headlines as the 2025 free agency period opens, unveiling a series of bold roster moves and a historic shift in franchise ownership.

The Lakers have signed free agent wing Jake LaRavia, marking their first acquisition of the offseason as they seek to strengthen their rotation around new franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić and veteran superstar LeBron James. James, 40, has opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, confirming his return but making it clear he expects the front office to build a championship-caliber roster. While James remains committed for now, speculation persists about his long-term future, with reports suggesting he is closely monitoring the team’s moves and open to a potential trade, including a rumored return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Lakers are also facing the departure of forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who declined his player option and entered free agency. Finney-Smith is drawing interest from multiple contenders, including the Houston Rockets, leaving the Lakers with a significant gap in their defensive lineup. The team’s most pressing need is at center, with targets such as Brook Lopez, Jarrett Allen, and Daniel Gafford being linked to Los Angeles. This comes after the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Dončić earlier this year, a blockbuster deal that reshaped the franchise’s identity.

In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Lakers selected Adou Thiero with the 36th pick and signed undrafted free agent Eric Dixon to a two-way contract. The team is also retaining guard Jordan Goodwin after exercising his $2.3 million team option following a standout G League campaign.

Off the court, the Lakers are undergoing a seismic shift in ownership. The Buss family, stewards of the franchise since 1979, have agreed to sell a majority stake to Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a deal valuing the Lakers at approximately $10 billion. Jeanie Buss will remain as team governor, overseeing day-to-day operations to ensure continuity during the transition. The sale, expected to close later this year, marks the end of an era and positions the Lakers among the wealthiest and most ambitious franchises in professional sports.

With limited cap flexibility but multiple trade assets and the non-taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal, the Lakers are expected to be aggressive in pursuing further upgrades. The front office faces mounting pressure to deliver a roster capable of contending for a title alongside Dončić and James as the new era of Lakers basketball begins.