The Los Angeles Lakers are officially under the control of majority owner Mark Walter, whose purchase of the team from the Buss family was approved by the NBA and finalized at the beginning of the 2025-2026 season.
Although Jeanie Buss is remaining in her position as Lakers governor for multiple years ahead, there has been speculation, if not an expectation, that Walter’s arrival as the new owner would usher in changes nevertheless.
That seemingly began with relieving Joey and Jesse Buss of their duties, as well as a majority of the Lakers’ scouting department.
Meanwhile, Walter appears to be leaning on Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and special advisor Farhan Zaidi as the Lakers franchise navigates a transition period, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:
Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman, two key executives with the Los Angeles Dodgers, have begun playing advisory roles with theLos Angeles Lakersas part of the ownership transition from the Buss family to Mark Walter, multiple sources told ESPN.
Zaidi, currently a special adviser to the Dodgers and renowned for his analytics background, is functioning as Walter’s representative in helping with the transition, sources close to the situation said.
Friedman, who currently acts as the president of baseball operations with the Dodgers, has played a lesser role. He mostly consults with Lakers president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, sources said. Friedman has helped the Dodgers win three of the last six World Series.
When it was announced the Lakers were being sold to Walter, it was met by a belief he would bring the storied NBA franchise to operate in similar fashion to the Dodgers. That’s included not only putting a strong financial backing into the Dodgers, but also establishing a formidable organizational structure.
Friedman has been integral to the Dodgers’ success as back-to-back World Series champions, and is someone Shohei Ohtani famously tied his commitment to by including a key-man clause in his contract.
Zaidi returned to the Dodgers organization this past February in a special advisor role to Walter’s various business dealings.
Can Mark Walter help save Lakers?
Competency and sustained success has not been strong suits for the Lakers over the last decade, which Walter presumably can help correct with Luka Doncic leading matters on the court.
As organizational turnover has begun, the future of Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka is not immediately known. Though, he did just sign a multi-year contract extension in April.
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