Ownership: BOG wrapped; sale still pending
NBA Board of Governors meetings in New York (Sept. 15–16) closed without a floor vote on Mark Walter’s proposed $12.5 billion sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger—matching Tom Friend’s Sports Business Journal sourcing ahead of the meetings that the deal was unlikely to be on this week’s docket.
After the meetings, commissioner Adam Silver addressed Walter’s ownership path and the federal scrutiny around Walter’s insurance businesses. Quoting Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (via Lakers Nation) and Sports Illustrated’s transcript of the presser, Silver said the league spoke to governmental agencies, Walter’s heavily regulated insurance industry, and other leagues in which Walter has investments, and “found no red flags.” He stressed that current matters remain allegations, that Walter was not being investigated by the NBA, and that he had no prior notice Walter intended to sell until the buyers said they already had a handshake.
Any ownership change still needs 23 of 30 governors. Kushner still must clear limited Heat equity before a full approval path (earlier ESPN sourcing; not newly confirmed overnight). Jeanie Buss remains Lakers governor pending the family-stake fight; her LA Superior Court petition is set for Dec. 8.
Flag carefully: federal probes into Walter-linked insurers are ongoing reporting, not NBA findings. Walter’s company has said it is cooperating and has rejected “distressed sale” framing.
Lakers Nation (Hansford) · SI · BasketballNews · Sporting News · NBA.com (BOG wrap)
Roster: Luka’s Europe window closes ~Sept. 20
Martin Pavčnik of Sportklub reports Luka Dončić is in the final phase of Ljubljana prep after completing hamstring rehab and conditioning with longtime trainer Anže Maček. Dončić is expected to remain in Europe until Sept. 20, then move to Los Angeles ahead of media day (Sept. 28) and camp open (Sept. 29). Sportklub’s weight note (~105 kg / ~231 lb) is unofficial—treat as reporting, not a team release. Eurohoops and Silver Screen and Roll carried the same timeline.
No confirmed trade overnight. Insider chatter still has L.A. open to exploring wing/forward upgrades (Knecht / Vanderbilt names from earlier Fischer-linked reports); roster still needs to settle to the 15-man regular-season limit before camp. Treat as shopping exploration, not an imminent deal.
On “Buha’s Block,” Jovan Buha listed four projected starters—Dončić, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes—and a crowded fifth-spot pool (LaRavia, Ziaire Williams, Mamukelashvili, Vanderbilt, Thiero, Thybulle). Camp/preseason decide; not a team announcement.
Sportklub (Pavčnik) · Eurohoops · Silver Screen and Roll · Fadeaway World (Buha)
League note (LA angle)
Silver’s same presser also covered the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard salary-cap penalties (Ballmer/Zucker/Frank suspensions, $30M fine, forfeited picks). Separately, Toronto’s re-acquisition of Leonard became official this week after that investigation closed; Raptors Open Gym footage and extension chatter are East stories, not Lakers business—included only as BOG-week context.
Watch next
- Kushner/Iger sale approval path (committee vs floor vote; Heat equity clear).
- Sept. 20 Luka expected back to California (Sportklub timeline).
- Media day Sept. 28 · camp Sept. 29 · opener Oct. 21 vs Golden State (Eurohoops schedule note).
- Roster consolidation to 15 before camp.
- Dec. 8 LA Superior Court hearing on the Buss family-stake petition.