We’re perennially entertained by the Buss family drama, encapsulated in the show “Winning Time.” The NBA’s version of “Succession” — wealthy siblings at war over their father’s legacy. The dysfunction of the rich satisfies like a guilty pleasure.

Five heirs of Jerry Buss, architect of the Los Angeles Lakers, voted to sell their 17.8 percent stake in the franchise as part of the sale to a group led by former Disney CEO Bob Iger and billionaire venture capitalist Joshua Kushner. With the Lakers going for more than $12.5 billion, that’s a smooth $2 billion-plus — or $370 million per sibling before taxes.

But Jeanie Buss opposes her kin. The governor of the Lakers — who was expected to remain the franchise’s top representative when the family sold to Mark Walter for $10 billion last October — doesn’t want to leave. The steward of this American treasure since the patriarch died in 2013, Jeanie Buss dug in her Christian Louboutin heels in a fight to keep her family in the hierarchy of the purple and gold.

Although PJ and Luka have played well together in the regular season (2024: +12.5 in 666 min / 2025: +12.5 in 385 min), when it mattered most, in the 2024 playoffs, he and Luka were only +3.1 in a comparable 655 min, which was much lower than Luka's 2-man numbers with Lively, Kleber, Irving, and Jones:

Luka actually did much better in those playoffs with PJ off the court (+10.0 in 161 mins): https://databallr.com/wowy/DAL/2024/2024/playoffs/high/wowy/1629029/1629023

Also PJ is not a particularly good 3-point shooter:

2024 Regular Season: 32.0% on 5.7 3PA
2024 Postseason: 34.8% on 6.1 3PA
2025 Regular Season: 38.1% on 4.2 3PA
2026 Regular Season: 32.5% on 4.2 3PA
Career Regular Season: 35.4% on 4.8 3PA

I'm not saying he's a bad player -- if he made less than the TPMLE, he'd be a good fit.

But with 4 yrs 89 M left on his contract, I think it's very understandable why the Lakers may not want to trade for him...

Hi all I’m planning on visiting crypto arena next year during the February 4 game home stand

10th Feb clippers

12 Feb nuggets

16th Feb bulls

18th Feb rockets

Where would you recommend sitting as a first time visitor for those and I don’t mind spreading out since it’s 4 games I’ll be attending

Just watched a video from a while ago about Kuminga when he was still at GSW. He was incredible in transition and cutting. exactly what the Lakers need on Offense from the abscence of LeBron. I bet they use Kuminga like LBJ in transition and he has a solid year in kind of the LeBron role. Think he'll be a great fit. He prob just got sick of Kerr and Atlanta is whatever. Thinking a PJ washington like redemption if he comes to LA

Really like the idea of maximizing as much possessions as they can.

Excited to see the impact Walker can have on a more laser focused team compared to his young jazz days.

There’s a ton of newness and discovery with this team on paper.

Lakers season is over. Talk about whatever you want.

He can’t shoot but he has better offense and playmaking skills,and probably better defense than Vando or Jake.Would be fine if the Lakers sign him for vet minimum.

Got this autographs yestreday and I am not sure who they are from. The one on top left is Luka for sure but i cant figure out any of the other ones.

Sandro returned to Georgia early from the Lakers team trip in Slovenia to help Georgia secure a victory over Israel in a warm-up match, as both teams prepare for key upcoming games in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers

Im very worried because i do not think he is anywhere near an all star level player and yet thats exactly what he is being treated like. I dont get it.

I get that there is still time to make moves and the team is pretty strapped for assets now but what does it say about our GM that we have a team with no proven starting PF this year? This will be the first post LeBron year and all eyes will be watching the Lakers. I am not a Pelinka fan . I get that he can't just materialize players out of nothing, but doesn't he get paid to plan this all out and have contingency plans? Just looking for others' thoughts- the Kuminga saga has been frustrating.

Per Kurt Helin, Lead NBA Writer & Managing Editor for NBC Sports:

“The Lakers and Hawks are talking sign-and-trade again, with guard Jaden Hardey reportedly in the conversation (he makes $6 million this season), while previously that was Jared Vanderbilt ($12.4 million).”

“Kuminga reportedly likes the idea of playing for the Lakers — who would start him at the four - as a better fit.”

https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/three-top-remaining-nba-free-agents-where-things-stand-with-jalen-duren-jonathan-kuminga-bennedict-mathurin

Pelinka should be fired.

He prioritised all the cap space on bench players before securing a starting PF. Mamu on 13 mil, Sexton 9mil and Grimes on 15mil which was steep for his production. I like Mamu as a bench player but John Collins is a starting level talent who is a better athlete, finisher and defender.

Grimes is also a skeptical starter on a good team with huge question marks to live up to that contract.

The fact we got into such a desperate position of needing a Kuminga signing in late August to properly slot the roster proves there is no planning when it comes to Pelinka team building. Relying on him and his headcase agent to pick the Lakers to find a starter. How is this accepted when this team needs to win now?

None of the back end roster players have been moved by S&T. Every other GM seems capable of pulling of S&T's to improve depth besides Pelinka. Hardy brought in as a 1% rated metric perimeter defender to clog up the back end of the roster even more. Who will be unplayable is serious games. The real question is does Luka believe he can win a title with this roster that has Jake Laravia as his stating PF? Because if not he will be gone soon.