Lakers turn to Dodgers’ top dogs for inspiration
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly turned to their cousins for help.
In a surprising twist of cross-sport strategy, the Los Angeles Lakers are now tapping into Major League Baseball’s brainboxes. Two high-ranking Dodgers executives, Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman, have stepped into advisory roles within the Lakers’ organisation, marking a clear shift under new owner Mark Walter.
Walter, who officially became the Lakers’ majority owner after a ground-shattering $10 billion deal, also controls the Dodgers through his holding company, TWG Sports (they purchased the Dodgers for $2 billion in 2012).
According to ESPN, he will represent Walter during the ownership transition, helping steer the Lakers through a period of change. Beyond the Lakers, that advisory reach may extend even further: Zaidi has reportedly been consulting with the Los Angeles Sparks as part the broader sports enterprise that Walter controls.
Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi in the Lakers front office
— DodgersMuse (@LADodgersMuse) November 21, 2025
pic.twitter.com/hXXVfME7MA
Meanwhile, Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, is consulting directly with Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka.
The move comes amid sweeping changes: just days before the Dodgers execs were announced, the Lakers released longtime front-office duo Joey and Jesse Buss, as well as a number of scouts.
This pairing signals a significant shift: under previous ownership, the Lakers’ analytics department was widely considered underdeveloped, with the LA Times calling it “weak” in their report on the personnel change.
Raise the trophy, Blake. 🏆 Thanks for having us, @Lakers! pic.twitter.com/nW18mZHwh7
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 6, 2025
At present, the Lakers sit third in the Western Conference, behind the Thunder and the Nuggets, after 15 games played. They have only lost 4 all season and play the Utah Jazz next, on Sunday 23.
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