From high tension on oil markets, to a $10 billion play by the LA Lakers, this is the Week in Numbers


Key FactsRecord-Breaking Sale of Los Angeles Lakers Finalized
Jun 18 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: bbc.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: bbc.com
- The Buss family is selling its controlling interest in the globally renowned Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.
- Mark Walter, a 20% owner since 2021, is purchasing the majority stake in a deal valued around $10 billion.
- Under Buss family ownership, the Lakers secured 11 NBA championships and reached the finals 17 times.
- Jeanie Buss will remain team governor, with Walter expected to uphold the Lakers' legacy and successes.
I just talked to my sister Jeanie Buss to tell her congratulations, and that I'm so happy for her and family.— Magic Johnson on the sale of the Lakers and his conversations with Jeanie Buss.
The Buss family purchased the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5M and sold the franchise for $10B 46 years later, per @ShamsCharania 🤯💰
Luka Doncic: I Look Forward To Working With Mark Walter, Jeanie Buss To Win Championships
basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280848/Luka-Doncic-I-Look-Forward-To-Working-With-Mark-Walter-Jeanie-Buss-To-Win-Championships
It’s lonely at the top
A WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME 7 IN THE NBA FINALS! 🚨🤯
ONE GAME TO DECIDE AN NBA CHAMPION! 🏆
The #NBAFinals presented by YouTube TV continue with Pacers/Thunder Game 7 on ... Show more
Lakers' LeBron James criticizes NBA's ring culture: 'I don't know why it's the end all, be all of everything'
cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-lebron-james-criticizes-nbas-ring-culture-i-dont-know-why-its-the-end-all-be-all-of-everything/

LeBron James Had Eight-Word Message for Caitlin Clark After Return Game vs. Liberty
si.com/wnba/lebron-james-eight-word-message-caitlin-clark-after-return-game

“As long as he (Wemby) keeps smacking my fu*king shots into the stands it’s gonna make me retire.” 😭😭
— LeBron how much longer will he play.
(via @Anthony_Rivardo )


Billionaire Mark Walter, set to own controlling stake in Lakers, built fortune in investing
bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2025/06/20/billionaire-mark-walter-set-to-own-controlling-stake-in-lakers-built-fortune-in-investing/
NEWS: After five decades of control by the Buss family, the Los Angeles Lakers will be sold to Mark Walter, lead owner of the Dodgers, for at least $10 billion ... Show more
Austin Reaves Addresses Future With Lakers As Trade Rumors Swirl: The fourth-year guard is perhaps the Lakers' most intriguing trade asset entering the offseason ...
si.com/nba/austin-reaves-addresses-lakers-future-trade-rumors

Stephen A. Smith admits that he doesn’t like LeBron James
“I don’t like him, and he don’t like me. He’s one of the greatest players who’s ever lived ... Show more
Walter's deep pockets could fuel Lakers return to glory: The Lakers have yet to confirm the deal.
reuters.com/sports/walters-deep-pockets-could-fuel-lakers-return-glory-2025-06-19/
PACERS or THUNDER? 🏆
WHO YA GOT in the NBA Finals WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME 7? Drop your predictions ⤵
It's going down Sunday at 8pm/et on ABC 🍿
The largest sale of a professional sports franchise in the world 😳
(via Shams Charania)
Tom Brady on LeBron James:
“You’re witnessing the greatest ever and I hope you all appreciate that.”
(h/t @MaskedInLA , @FanaticsFest )https://x.com/Anthony_Rivardo/status/1936488464196985023/video/1


Buss family to sell Lakers at $10 billion valuation, ESPN says: The Buss family is entering an agreement to sell a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers ...
reuters.com/sports/buss-family-sell-lakers-report-says-2025-06-18/
Don Nelson on the Luka Doncic trade:
"I'm wearing Luka's new shoes from Nike and I'm wearing them in protest for the trade from Dallas ... Show more


NBA TV just got a new star: T.J. McConnell’s dad 🤣🌟


Dan Woike to replace Jovan Buha as Lakers beat writer at The Athletic: Dan Woike is joining The Athletic as its new Lakers beat writer, replacing Jovan Buha less ...
awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/dan-woike-joins-the-athletic-lakers-beat.html
“[LeBron] said he could play another 5-10 years”
Dalton Knecht says he and LeBron could run it until Bron is 50 🤯👀
(via @TMZ_Sports )


From a week of mounting tension for oil markets, to why the LA Lakers are a very big deal, here are the big stories in business and finance of the week


The sale to Walter will be the highest team sale price in the history of sports 📈
"I can't be more proud to say I have a son in the NBA and a daughter in the WNBA."
This moment from McConnell's dad ❤️🥹


Lakers Sale Could Strengthen Team With Expected Modernization, Increased Resources
basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280845/Lakers-Sale-Could-Strengthen-Team-With-Expected-Modernization-Increased-Resources
"Sorry I'm tired, to be honest." 🤣
JDub fresh off a 40-PT #NBAFinals performance joins the NBA TV crew 🗣️


An iconic moment after Game 7 in 2016 that will live in NBA history forever! 🏆 The Pacers face the Thunder for GAME 7 on SUNDAY at 8:00pm/et on ABC 🍿


Breaking: Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has declined his $3.4M player option for next season and will become a free agent on June 30 ... Show more
Report: Westbrook declines $3.4M option, will become UFA: Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook declined his $3.4-million player option and will become an ...
thescore.com/nba/news/3299693

Key FactsWestbrook to Become Free Agent on June 30
Jun 13 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: thescore.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: thescore.com
- Russell Westbrook chose not to exercise his $3.4 million player option, making him an unrestricted free agent on June 30.
- Following this decision, Denver has twelve players signed and is $10.6 million below the NBA's second salary cap apron.
- The former MVP recently had surgery to fix two fractured bones in his right hand.
- Westbrook averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds during the regular season as Denver finished 50-32 and exited in Round 2 of the playoffs.
LeBron thinks the NBA should consider changing games to 40 minutes and adopting FIBA’s goaltending rule.
(via @mindthegamepod )https://x.com/mindthegamepod/status/1935701246423548022/video/1


"By far the sweetest!" 🤩 Kobe Bryant and the Lakers closed out 2010 with a championship that meant more! 🏆
The Pacers face the Thunder for GAME 7 ... Show more


Mark Walter is entering agreement to purchase majority... - ESPN: Read the breaking news story from the ESPN contributor Shams Charania
espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/8b3bf228d0cff

LeBron on retirement:
“My kids are like ‘Dad, continue your dream. This is your dream. You've been here for us this whole time ... Show more
OpinionNo one brought in the Marines for sports event chaos, so why protests?: "After living in L.A. for nearly 30 years, I can honestly say I've seen more chaos at ...
latimes.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/story/2025-06-13/no-one-brought-in-the-marines-to-quell-sporting-event-chaos-so-why-protests

South Bay Lakers help beautify Edison Elementary School in Torrance: Edison Elementary School in Torrance had its teacher's lounge updated and entrance ...
dailybreeze.com/2025/06/13/south-bay-lakers-help-beautify-edison-elementary-school-in-torrance/


This Day in NBA History presented by Getty Images
9 years ago today, the late-game heroics of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to ... Show more
MVP Winners If You Could Only Win Once since 2010
What if NBA players could only win MVP once—like a Nobel Prize for basketball? Since 2010 ... Show more
"I'm happy to be able to make history." 🔥 LeBron James walks off after sealing the Game 7 win in 2016, completing the 3-1 comeback!
Pacers/Thunder ... Show more


Dwight sets the record straight on his fight with Lance Stephenson 😂😅
The Lakers and Jazz have discussed a trade centered on Rui Hachimura and John Collins, per @AnthonyIrwinLA “Many within the Lakers organization believe Collins would ... Show more
Letters: What a week, from ICE at Dodger Stadium to Lakers sale: Readers of the L.A. Times give their thoughts on ICE at Dodger Stadium, and the team's response ...
latimes.com/sports/story/2025-06-21/la-times-sports-letters-dodgers-ice-raids-lakers-sale

Hapoel Tel Aviv says they have zero interest in Russell Westbrook
“To be serious – it’s not true. There was no interest, and no one approached him ... Show more
Vlade Divac injured in motorcycle accident: NBA legend undergoes emergency surgery after hip fracture
cbssports.com/nba/news/vlade-divac-injured-in-motorcycle-accident-nba-legend-undergoes-emergency-surgery-after-hip-fracture/

Tyrese Haliburton says LeBron has reached Unc status:
“He'll have his iPad on his chest watching 'The Sopranos', no headphones, full volume… I tap him like ... Show more
https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1934264159807668575/video/1
https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1934264159807668575/video/1


More history for SGA 🔥
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Kobe Bryant, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history with 15 or more 30+ ... Show more
“I think the Lakers are only gonna get more dangerous as an organization with the more resources that are theoretically here about to be poured into ... Show more


Zeke's taking Indiana in Game 7 on Sunday 👀
He also predicted the Cavs coming back from down 3-1 in the 2016 #NBAFinals 😯


Dave Roberts confident Mark Walter will make Lakers winners: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is confident Mark Walter will do for the Lakers what he's done with the ...
latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2025-06-18/dave-roberts-mark-walter-lakers-ownership

The last time the Finals went to 7 games... "BLOCKED BY JAMES.""KYRIE IRVING FROM DOWNTOWN.""CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU ... Show more


Game 7 of the #NBAFinals is TOMORROW 🍿
Hear from both teams during their media availability TODAY starting at 1:30pm ET on NBA TV!
You may be able to hear Mike Breen screaming "BLOCKED BY JAMES" when looking at this photo.
"[His stats] could be all zeros as long as he gets the W."
Steve Smith NBA says Hali doesn't need to do it all in Game 6 for the Indiana Pacers 🗣️


Join us in wishing a Happy 47th Birthday to 14x #NBAAllStar , 2006-07 NBA MVP, 2010-11 NBA champion, 2011 #NBAFinals MVP and 75th Anniversary Team member ... Show more
The Lakers and Jazz have held trade discussions centered around John Collins, per @andyblarsen (h/t @APH00PS )
NBA Finals MVP Ladder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns to No. 1 with series tied 2-2
nba.com/news/nba-finals-mvp-ladder-2025-game-4

Key FactsThunder Rally to Even NBA Finals Series at 2-2
Jun 14 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: usatoday.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: usatoday.com
- The Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 10-point late deficit and defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 35 points, scoring 15 of the final 16 points and sinking crucial free throws in the last minutes.
- Indiana failed to score a field goal after holding a 103-99 lead with just over three minutes remaining.
- Game 5 is scheduled for June 16 in Oklahoma City, with 74.2% of teams winning the series after securing Game 5.
We knew it [was a must-win] when we woke up this morning.— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told ABC after the game, reflecting on the importance of the victory for the Thunder.
Colin Cowherd doesn’t understand LeBron James bashing ring culture
“You think he went to Miami to lay on the beach?"
(🎥 @TheHerd )


Leading the Pacers in scoring in a Finals game right now btw 😅
Stephen A. Calls Out LeBron James Over Confrontation, Says 'We Don't Like Each Other'
bleacherreport.com/articles/25209812-stephen-calls-out-lebron-james-over-confrontation-says-we-dont-each-other

“I talked to a high-level person in the NBA today and they said it's leaning towards perhaps expansion coming soon this summer.” 👀
— @MarcJSpears https://x.com/ohnohedidnt24/status/1935782241897992450/video/1


Jalen Williams joins Russell Westbrook as the only players in Oklahoma City Thunder franchise history to record 40+ PTS in a Finals game! 👏
He becomes the ... Show more


It’s Official: Stephen A. Smith Admits He Hates LeBron James — and It’s Obvious: Stephen A. Smith openly admits he doesn’t like LeBron James, sparking fresh ...
deadspin.com/its-official-stephen-a-smith-admits-he-hates-lebron-james--and-its-obvious/
Russell Westbrook vs. Orlando in 2017 —
57 PTS
13 REB
11 AST
3 STL
21/40 FGM (52% FG)
HISTORICAL performance. 🥶
(via @NBAHistory )


Buss family sale of Lakers signals a new dawn for the franchise — and NBA ownership
nytimes.com/athletic/6436802/2025/06/19/lakers-jeanie-buss-mark-walter-nba-ownership/
Leak Alert! The Air Jordan 4 ‘Imperial Purple’ Brings Big Lakers Energy: The Air Jordan 4 ‘Imperial Purple’ brings big Lakers energy, blending Kobe-inspired ...
sneakerfreaker.com/prefetch

FIRST FATHER-SON DUO IN NBA HISTORY 🙌
This Father's Day, take a look back at the moment Bronny James checked in and shared the floor with his dad ... Show more


The STARS of Fanatics Fest share their Game 7 predictions!
🌟 Bryce Young
🌟 Russell Wilson & Ciara
🌟 Dwight Howard
🌟 Stephon Marbury
🌟 Damar Hamlin
🌟 C.J ... Show more


Tyrese Haliburton's out on the floor early ahead of Game 3 🔥#NBAFinals coverage in Indy tips off at 7pm ET on NBA TV!


Los Angeles Lakers owner nearing sale to Guggenheim Partners boss: Buss family exploring sale to Mark Walter that would value basketball team at close to $10bn
ft.com/content/682cdbd6-e428-4ae1-9f82-0ae4c84ce309