The Los Angeles Lakers completed one of the biggest sales in NBA history, with Mark Walter, CEO of TWG Global, acquiring the team for a record fee of $10 billion.
The Purple and Gold have been under the watchful ownership of the Buss family for 46 years, and considering that Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team for $67.5 million in 1979, the Buss family has walked away with a sizeable profit.
The Lakers are one of the most iconic teams, not just in the NBA, but in the sporting world, as well. The impact of such a sale is bound to have major implications on how sports teams structure sales or even go about valuing their teams.
With this in mind, we shift our attention to the NBA, where several teams have seen a major rise in valuation since their addition to the league. With the Lakers headlining the list of the most expensive purchases in recent years, we take a look at what value each NBA team was last sold for.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (2025) – $10 Billion
2. Boston Celtics (2025) – $6.1 Billion
3. Phoenix Suns (2023) – $4.0 Billion
4. Dallas Mavericks (2023) – $3.8 Billion
5. Milwaukee Bucks (2023) – $3.5 Billion
6. Brooklyn Nets (2019) – $3.3 Billion
7. Charlotte Hornets (2023) – $3.0 Billion
8. Houston Rockets (2017) – $2.2 Billion
9. Los Angeles Clippers (2014) – $2.0 Billion
10. Utah Jazz (2020) – $1.7 Billion
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (2021) – $1.5 Billion
12. Atlanta Hawks (2015) – $850 Million
13. Washington Wizards (2010) – $551 Million
14. Sacramento Kings (2013) – $534 Million
15. Golden State Warriors (2010) – $450 Million
16. Toronto Raptors (2012) – $400 Million
17. Memphis Grizzlies (2012) – $377 Million
18. Cleveland Cavaliers (2008) – $375 Million
19. Oklahoma City Thunder (2006) – $350 Million
20. New Orleans Pelicans (2012) – $338 Million
21. Detroit Pistons (2011) – $325 Million
22. New York Knicks (1997) – $300 Million
23. Philadelphia 76ers (2011) – $280 Million
24. Denver Nuggets (2000) – $202 Million
25. Orlando Magic (1991) – $85 Million
26. San Antonio Spurs (1993) – $75 Million
27. Portland Trail Blazers (1988) – $70 Million
28. Miami Heat (1995) – $33 Million
29. Chicago Bulls (1985) – $16 Million
30. Indiana Pacers (1983) – $11 Million
The disparity in the purchase values of the teams is quite drastic. From the teams purchased in the 2020s, the difference between the Lakers’ purchase value and the Wolves is almost 10x.
The template for selling an NBA team was technically set by the Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in the NBA. In March, former Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck sold his team at the price of $6.1 billion. This was a huge profit, considering he purchased the team for $360 million initially.
The Celtics’ profit margin certainly pales in comparison to the Lakers, something that was pointed out by Lakers legend Magic Johnson. But the implications of such a move are truly exciting.
A purchase of a team is often followed by a milestone move by the owners to establish their position, particularly to gain the approval of the fans. Given the Lakers’ current position, with their ongoing roster construction efforts, this could be a positive sign for major acquisitions.
The team’s future is open to a number of possibilities. With the superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in favor of this change, the organization could see a massive change in operational culture as well.
