Colin Cowherd urges Jeanie Buss to save LA Lakers prestige with a twist: “Unfortunately for LeBron, it’s a total waste”

Colin Cowherd today suggested that maybe Jeanie Buss should consider selling the LA Lakers. The team has not been successful lately and Cowherd suggested that this could be a time to sell for a high price. This is fresh off the news of the sale of the Phoenix Suns. The Suns sold for $4 billion and they don't have anywhere near the brand visibility of the Lakers.

“Unfortunately for LeBron, it’s a total waste."

Cowherd discusses LeBron James’ play in his 20th NBA season, of which he is playing very well. James is averaging 27.0 points per game, along with 8.5 rebounds per game and 6.5 assists per game. Cowherd feels that this is a waste for James. LeBron James is an attraction and can still sell a lot of tickets for one of the league’s premier franchises. Cowherd went on to say:

"The Lakers have gone from showtime to timeshares... I think it's time to consider selling the franchise."

The LA Lakers are not what they used to be, and Cowherd stated that since Dr. Buss passed away in 2013, the franchise has never been the same. He is correct, the team has had six coaches in ten years, and they only have one championship and two playoff appearances to show for it. This is not the Lakers' standard.

Is Jeanie Buss open to selling the franchise? The Lakers are a family business and it's her father’s legacy. As lucrative as the deal could be, the sentimental value of the team could mean more than money to Buss. Jeanie Buss has been involved with the organization for her entire adult life. She’s stated in the past that players like Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant are like family.

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How valuable are the LA Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are a legacy NBA franchise and one of the most popular in American sports. So, what does that translate into when it comes to money? According to a Sportico study, the LA Lakers are worth $6.44 billion, which is third among NBA franchises. The only teams ahead of them are the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors.

Now that the Phoenix Suns have sold for $4 billion, this affects the value of the Lakers. The franchise could sell for as much $7 or $8 billion if the right buyer came along. It’s a legacy brand that has value nationally. The LA Lakers are the second-largest television market in the United States. Could a billionaire with the right offer to entice Jeanie Buss and family to sell the team?