LeBron James Was Kept in the Dark While Luka Dončić Was Told First About Lakers Sale to Mark Walter, Per ESPN Report

The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to drama, but the latest report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reveals a shocking development that could signal a deeper fracture in the franchise’s relationship with its biggest star. According to Windhorst, when the Buss family finalized a deal to sell a majority stake in the team to billionaire investor Mark Walter on June 18, Luka Dončić was informed of the move in advance. LeBron James, the face of the franchise since 2018 and one of the most influential figures in the NBA, was not.

Instead, James allegedly learned about the sale through the media — just like fans and journalists. Dončić, who is not affiliated with the Lakers in any official capacity, reportedly posted a congratulatory message on social media shortly after the deal was made public. In contrast, James made no public comment and, to date, has not addressed the sale at all.

Windhorst’s report adds fuel to speculation that LeBron’s relationship with the Lakers front office, particularly with the Buss family, may be deteriorating behind the scenes. While it’s not unusual for NBA ownership changes to be shrouded in confidentiality, the decision to brief Dončić — a superstar with the Dallas Mavericks — while keeping James in the dark, is a move few could have expected.

“This wasn’t just a matter of timing,” said one anonymous league executive. “It was a clear message, intentional or not, about who is still inside the circle of trust — and who isn’t.”

The implications of this report are wide-ranging. LeBron James, even at 40 years old, remains the NBA’s biggest global icon. His decision to join the Lakers in 2018 resurrected a struggling franchise and led to a championship in 2020. He brought star power, attention, merchandise sales, and, for a time, a sense of purpose to a team that had been adrift since the Kobe Bryant era.

To not inform James of such a seismic shift in ownership could be interpreted as a sign that his influence within the organization is waning — or has already waned. It also brings into question the dynamics of LeBron’s future in Los Angeles, especially as he approaches what could be the final years of his legendary career.

The news of the sale was already a bombshell. Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and co-owner of the Chelsea Football Club, is no stranger to high-profile sports investments. His reported $4.3 billion purchase of the Lakers’ majority stake marks a new era for the franchise, one that could bring changes both subtle and sweeping.

Walter’s background is in finance, and his style of leadership has typically involved building high-powered management teams to oversee his ventures while he remains a relatively low-profile figure. Whether he plans to be more hands-on with the Lakers or keep existing structures intact remains to be seen. But even before he officially takes control, the fallout from the decision to keep LeBron out of the loop may have already begun to shape public perception of this transition.

James has always been meticulous about his image and legacy. That he chose not to comment publicly about the sale may not only reflect frustration but could also suggest a deeper decision is brewing. LeBron has a $51.4 million player option for the 2025–26 season, but if his trust in the Lakers front office is eroding, he may choose to opt out and pursue opportunities elsewhere — possibly even to team up with his son Bronny James in a more favorable situation.

Insiders note that the snub couldn’t have come at a worse time. This offseason, the Lakers face pivotal decisions regarding roster construction, coaching stability under J.J. Redick, and free agency. LeBron has historically taken an active role in influencing personnel moves and strategic direction. Being left out of the loop on an ownership change — arguably the most impactful development in a franchise’s trajectory — sends a signal that the organization may be moving on from the LeBron-centric model.

NBA fans and analysts have been quick to react. Social media has been ablaze with commentary from players, pundits, and fans alike.

“I can’t wrap my head around it,” tweeted ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins. “You tell Luka before you tell the guy who’s been carrying your brand for six years?? Total disrespect.”

Fox Sports analyst Nick Wright, a long-time LeBron advocate, was even more pointed: “LeBron not being informed of a sale that reshapes the very fabric of the Lakers organization is more than just an oversight — it’s a statement.”

For Dončić’s part, the situation has left many wondering what his deeper connections to the Lakers or Mark Walter might be. It’s no secret that Walter has developed strong ties with multiple NBA players through his varied business and philanthropic interests. Still, it is puzzling that a Mavericks star was deemed worthy of a heads-up before the player who has arguably defined the Lakers’ identity for the past half-decade.

Whether intentional or not, the optics are terrible. LeBron James has never been just another player — he’s a business mogul, cultural force, and global ambassador for the game of basketball. Disregarding that stature is not only disrespectful to the player but potentially detrimental to the Lakers’ brand.

And it comes amid a growing list of signals that the Lakers are shifting their identity. The hiring of first-year head coach J.J. Redick, a former player with no prior coaching experience, raised eyebrows. While Redick has been publicly endorsed by James, the behind-the-scenes power dynamics may now be more complex than anyone previously realized.

In past seasons, LeBron’s fingerprints were all over major franchise decisions — from trades to coaching changes to off-court initiatives. This moment may mark the beginning of the end of that era. With the ownership group transitioning and a possible desire to usher in a new identity, LeBron James may find himself at a crossroads he didn’t anticipate.

There’s also the question of respect. After all he’s done for the franchise, being left out of this loop — even if only symbolically — may be the final straw in a relationship that has always had an undercurrent of mutual benefit rather than genuine loyalty.

It’s unclear what this means for Bronny James’ future with the Lakers either. Selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny’s presence on the roster has always been tied to LeBron’s wishes. With his father now appearing increasingly isolated, the younger James’ tenure in L.A. may be equally tenuous.

It also raises a bigger philosophical question for the NBA: how much should star players be involved in ownership decisions? While legally there’s no obligation to inform any player of such transactions, the modern NBA revolves around superstar relationships. Teams that fail to navigate that dynamic skillfully often find themselves on the outside of contention.

LeBron James may not say anything publicly about the snub — at least not right away. But if his history is any indicator, his decisions will speak volumes. Whether that means walking away after next season, engineering a sign-and-trade, or simply refusing to re-engage with the new ownership, the message is clear: he was blindsided.

For the Lakers, the cost of that misstep may extend far beyond the short-term headlines. Alienating one of the greatest players in league history — a man who delivered them a championship and global relevance in the post-Kobe era — could be a mistake they never recover from.

The LeBron James era in Los Angeles may not be over just yet. But make no mistake: the clock is ticking louder than ever.