For many, the shocking sale of the Los Angeles Lakers is still sinking in as reality. While Lakers fans can certainly be afforded time to have a deep breath and take it all in, Bob Iger and Josh Kushner will be under pressure to hit the ground running from day one.
From the outside looking in, rival fans would be forgiven for thinking the Lakers look messy right now. Mark Walter's decision to sell was puzzling, and Jeanie Buss is fighting her own family with relation to minority stake in the franchise. It is like one bad episode of an overly dramatized television show.
This is all going on while the Lakers just underwent one of the most important offseasons in recent franchise history. The team was overhauled to fully usher in the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles.
That is what basketball fans will care most about. It is also why Iger and Kushner must push through all the drama and deliver. Their takeover comes amid the Lakers desperately looking to maximize their window with Doncic at the helm. Wasting one of the best players in the world due to untimely business matters would be something Lakers fans do not forgive quickly, or easily.
Bob Iger and Josh Kushner face the tall task of maximizing the Luka Doncic era immediately
There are already reports that should be worrying to those who want to see the Lakers win. The swift change from Walter to Iger and Kushner is already said to be slowing down the franchise when it comes to filling out their front office as intended, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike.
It may be some time before the sale is finalized, too. That could keep the Lakers in this awkward limbo, doing the best with what they have.
Iger previously stated in an interview with Khobi Price there have been no plans drawn up just yet, either. The incoming Lakers owner said it was too early in the process for that.
Iger said: "It’s just premature to speculate at all about what we plan to do, because frankly, we haven’t made any plans yet."
Unfortunately for him, there will be pressure for that to change quickly. The Lakers, amid a window to win with one of the game's best players, need every boost they can get. That includes whatever front office advantages their new owners can give them.
Lakers cannot get burned by new owners a second time
There was a lot of excitement when Walter and his ownership group were moving in. There is a lot more skepticism this time around.
A key Lakers figure like Magic Johnson did try to offer fans reassurance amid a confusing time. The franchise legend hyped up Iger, in particular.
"Laker fans, you couldn’t have two better owners. I’ve known Bob personally for over 40 years - he has always loved the Lakers and basketball and he will bring championships back to LA," Magic said.
As sincere as Johnson might be in saying that, it does carry a whole lot less weight after the former Laker also gave Walter his nod of approval. Hope has been replaced with caution.
The main verifiable way for Iger and Kushner to endear themselves to Lakers fans amid all this chaos is to help the team win. The franchise used to feel ahead of the league in many respects. With the organization enduring major changes once more, restoring that feeling during Doncic's era is pivotal. It needs to start from the second Iger and Kushner are officially approved as the new owners.
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