Jesse Buss Says Lakers Need Fresh Direction Under New Majority Owner Mark Walter
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Los Angeles Dodgers principal owner Mark Walter has finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, valuing the franchise at $10 billion. Although Jeanie Buss will remain governor for at least five more years, Walter’s arrival has already triggered significant front-office changes.
The most notable moves came when the organization dismissed longtime scouting executives Jesse Buss and Joey Buss. Both brothers had been integral to the team’s draft and player-development strategy and were initially expected to stay on after the sale.
Speaking with reporters, Jesse Buss voiced strong support for Walter while signaling a desire for a shift in philosophy. “I think the Lakers are in great hands,” he said, pointing to Walter’s success with the Dodgers. Buss praised head coach JJ Redick and the current roster but cautioned that maintaining the same vision that guided the franchise over the past decade “isn’t always going to lead to the success that Laker fans have become accustomed to.”
Along with the Buss brothers, four additional members of the Lakers’ scouting staff were also let go, leaving the department thin as the college basketball season begins. Despite the internal shake-up, family members have emphasized a shared goal of returning the team to title contention under the new ownership structure.
Source: Lakers Nation
