While JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka focus on building a roster around Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers are also spending this offseason honoring the franchise’s history in ways that remind fans exactly what standard this organization is held to.
Statues, Rings, and a Shoe Release
The Lakers recently announced plans for a statue honoring former head coach Phil Jackson, to be placed outside Crypto.com Arena alongside existing tributes to Lakers legends. The announcement has already sparked calls from fans and media for the organization to extend the same honor to former owner Dr. Jerry Buss, whose leadership helped deliver 10 NBA championships to the franchise.
Between Jackson’s accolades and Buss’s ownership legacy, the Lakers’ plaza outside Crypto.com Arena is quickly becoming a walkable timeline of the team’s championship history. The nostalgia continues on the court and in stores. Kobe Bryant’s third signature Nike basketball shoe returns on September 26 in the iconic “Orca” colorway, timed perfectly to build buzz heading into Media Day two days later. The Lakers have also unveiled new “specter” jerseys for the upcoming season, giving the team a fresh on-court look even as it leans into its past off the court.
A Franchise in Transition Off the Court
The tributes come at a complicated moment for the organization. Outgoing owner Mark Walter continues to face legal scrutiny, including a lawsuit in Florida federal court alleging that Walter and several affiliated companies misrepresented how policyholder-backed investments were tied to Walter-related entities.
Reports also indicate the team’s prospective new ownership group is considering raising single-game ticket prices, a move that would land squarely on fans just as the Lakers try to sell a new era built around Doncic. Financially, the Lakers remain one of the league’s most valuable franchises, with investor materials reportedly projecting $681 million in total revenue this year, including $180 million from local television rights alone.
Why It Matters Heading Into Camp
For a fan base that has watched the Lakers transition from the LeBron James era to a roster built around Doncic in a matter of months, the mix of statue unveilings, retro shoe drops, and new jerseys serves a clear purpose: reinforcing the franchise’s identity while the on-court product is still being assembled.
Whether that goodwill translates into patience from fans facing higher ticket prices remains to be seen, but as Media Day approaches, the Lakers are clearly leaning on their past to help sell the promise of what comes next.