What happened: Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agreed in August to buy the Lakers from Mark Walter. Walter took control in October 2025 after acquiring the Buss family's majority stake.
Why it matters: Jerry Buss purchased the franchise in 1979, beginning 46 years of family leadership. A statue would give the incoming ownership group a permanent link to that era.
By the numbers: The two sale valuations rose from $10 billion in 2025 to $12.5 billion in 2026, a 25% increase.
What to watch: The incoming group would have to turn the suggestion into a formal monument plan.