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Paul Pierce on the chain reaction the LA Lakers record-breaking sale could create, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised…’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Vatsal Gupta | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Leave it to the Los Angeles Lakers to get eliminated in the playoffs but still somehow manage to steal the thunder of the NBA season with a stunning announcement.

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to be sold by long-time owners the Buss family, and Mark Walter is set to be the new owner of the most storied franchise in NBA history.

Magic Johnson’s reaction to the Lakers’ sale is already in, but Paul Pierce has made an even bigger claim after the deal.

He has predicted a chain reaction to follow the record-breaking sale, which, if it comes true, could change the dynamics around the league forever.

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Paul Pierce on chain reaction from LA Lakers’ sale

In many ways, the sale of the Lakers itself is a part of a recent wave of ownership changes across the NBA, from the Dallas Mavericks to the Boston Celtics, and the Phoenix Suns before that.

However, what makes this sale particularly surprising is that the Buss family was long-term custodians of the franchise, the sort that are believed will be there forever.

At the same time, the Lakers fetching close to $10 billion for the team will be a record-breaking figure that will make the eyes roll elsewhere.

That is why Paul Pierce, talking on the YouTube channel SPEAK, predicted a chain-reaction event following the sale that could change the NBA.

He said: “I think we’re going to see a new era of ownership in basketball. We see the Dallas Mavericks get a new owner, the Boston Celtics get a new owner, and now the Lakers.

“The value of the franchises is definitely up around the board. I wouldn’t be surprised if we started seeing a lot more franchises [being sold]. A lot of these franchises were bought 30 years ago.”

The changing of the guard in the NBA

Pierce added that the Buss family was one of the last remnants of the long-term owners who ran the team like a family.

However, now that such a big amount has been secured for their sale, expect new owner Mark Walter to run it like a business, which could be bad news for the fans.

It’s not like the Lakers were a charity non-profit organization anyway, but Walter will want a return on his investment and in quick time, too.

At the same time, expect other owners, especially those who bought the teams long ago, to explore potential selling options now that a new mark has been set to negotiate from.

That will lead to a cycle of more and more long-term owners taking the bag, selling the team, and getting replaced by laser-focused business professionals.

A changing of the guard is coming to the NBA, and the fans might not like it.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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