It’s hard to imagine the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, calling anywhere but L.A. home. Yet, during the mid-1990s, there was a moment when the Lakers’ purple and gold legacy could have shifted south to Anaheim.
This wasn’t just a rumor. It was a serious possibility, backed by real negotiations, financial pressure, and arena politics that almost changed NBA history forever.
Why The Lakers Considered Leaving Los Angeles
By the early 1990s, the Lakers were in transition.
Magic Johnson had retired (1991), and the team was entering the post-Showtime era.The Great Western Forum in Inglewood — their home since 1967 — was starting to show its age.
Team owner Dr. Jerry Buss faced a dilemma: the Forum lacked luxury suites, modern amenities, and the revenue potential of newer arenas. Meanwhile, the Disney-owned Anaheim Sports, Inc., who operated the Mighty Ducks NHL team, approached Buss with an enticing offer — move the Lakers to the newly built Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim (now Honda Center).
The Anaheim Negotiations: What Really Happened
In 1995, discussions between Buss and Anaheim officials became public.
The Lakers even requested relocation paperwork from the NBA — a move that alarmed Los Angeles city officials.
Anaheim’s offer included:
A long-term lease at Arrowhead Pond.Revenue-sharing incentives for luxury suites and naming rights.Arena upgrades to suit NBA standards.How The Move Was Ultimately Stopped
The real turning point came when Los Angeles city officials and the Forum’s ownership proposed modernization investments to keep the team.
Buss realized that leaving L.A. could hurt the team’s global brand value.He also believed a new downtown arena would be key to the Lakers’ long-term success.
By the late 1990s, those plans turned into what we now know as the Staples Center, which opened in 1999.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Lakers’ near-relocation to Anaheim wasn’t just a rumor; it was a genuine business consideration rooted in arena economics and market politics.
Dr. Jerry Buss’ final decision to stay in L.A. preserved the franchise’s identity and paved the way for Staples Center, the Kobe-Shaq era, and six more championships that followed.
FAQs
1. Why did the Lakers almost move to Anaheim?
Because of outdated facilities at the Forum and a lucrative offer from Anaheim to move into the new Arrowhead Pond arena.
2. Who stopped the Lakers from relocating?
Team owner Dr. Jerry Buss ultimately decided to stay after seeing the long-term brand and business value in remaining in Los Angeles.
3. When did this happen?
The relocation discussions were most active between 1994 and 1996.
4. Did the Lakers get a new arena afterward?
Yes — the Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) opened in 1999, becoming the team’s permanent home.
5. Has any NBA team ever moved to Anaheim?
No. Several teams have considered it (including the Sacramento Kings), but none have made the move.
The post Did The Lakers Really Almost Relocate To Anaheim In The 1990s? originally published on Total Pro Sports.