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Blockbuster Lakers, Nuggets Trade Proposed After Team's Sale

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 7:49 PM ET

For the first time since 1979, the Los Angeles Lakers will no longer be owned by the Buss family. And according to reports, the team's new ownership wants to make some big moves.

The storied NBA franchise sold on Wednesday for $10 billion to TWG Global CEO Mark Walter — who also has ownership stakes in the LA Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and the PWHL (among other ventures).

Walter has reportedly been a stakeholder in the Lakers since 2021 and received a cosign from team legend and business partner Magic Johnson following the sale.

Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; General view of the arena during the fourth quarter of game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images© Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

"A few things I can tell you about Mark - he is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win!" Magic posted to X.

"I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike - they are competitive people, l have big hearts, love to give back, and both prefer to be behind the scenes. This makes all the sense in the world. I am so so SO happy and excited for @Lakers fans all over the world!!"

With the dust still settling on the Lakers' agreement, the folks over at FanDuel cooked up a potential trade proposal for LA to land the best player in the game to pair alongside future franchise player Luka Doncic and soon to be 41-year-old LeBron James.

The Lakers new owner Mark Walter loves to make big moves...

Imagine the Lakers traded for Nikola Jokic to pair with Luka? pic.twitter.com/m9rIWE4L9N
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) June 18, 2025

In this scenario the Denver Nuggets would send Nikola Jokic to Hollywood in exchange for a package of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2031 first-round pick and a 2028 pick swap.

How realistic that would be is anyone's guess in this current NBA landscape. But pairing two of Europe's premier superstars in the Purple and Gold would certainly have Laker Land excited.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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