No teams have been in the headlines quite as much as the Lakers and the Mavericks since Luka Doncic‘s blockbuster trade earlier this month. It’s been more of public scrutiny that the Mavs have been dealing with ever since they sent their star boy away forever, and tonight’s game will speak volumes about their decision once and for all. The world’s eyes will be on the Crypto.com Arena tonight, with many popular figures set to make an appearance in Los Angeles. GM Rob Pelinka is known to show his face more often than not, but what about Jeanie Buss?

President-owner Jeanie Buss has become a bit of a cultural icon at the team. Her dad, Jerry Buss, was the owner during the club’s Showtime era, which automatically etched their name in Lakers folklore. Since his death in 2013, the ownership has been split equally to Jeanie and her 5 other siblings, after which Jeanie took over as the president and as the Lakers representative on the NBA Board of Governors.

As any passionate owner, she’s known to make appearances as and when she can. And she’s not cocky about it either- despite being a billionaire, she takes the time out to sit courtside and engage with fans, taking pictures and signing autographs with the Lakers faithful. She attended Luka’s first game vs Utah Jazz, which marked a sort of milestone in his career. Given the occasion, the 63-year-old could be seen cheering on the Lakers again as Doncic takes on his former team in his new home ground.

“Luka is a very special player. We’re thrilled to have him as part of the Laker team… It’s like you’re always trying to improve the team, get a little bit better and, ultimately, win a championship,” said the Lakers owner on the addition of El Matador to the squad.

Rob Pelinka’s appearance is called for as he can finally get to prove the credibility of his acquisition in front of the traveling Mavs crowd. Luka’s move broke the internet- not just due to the high profile of the trade but the secrecy. Nico Harrison’s trust in the Lakers GM to keep the trade away from the world speaks volumes of his character and dedication to the franchise. He’s sure to see the Luka Doncic-LeBron James linkup light up the Crypto.com Arena hardwood yet again.

Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss’ partnership- an inspiration to teams league-wide

The professional relationship of Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss is a bit of an inspiration to the rest of the teams. A GM and a principal owner don’t necessarily see eye to eye when it comes to management and roster decisions in most teams- not the case for the Lakers.

Both have a unified vision for the club, and there’s only one thing on their side- excellence. Buss’ passion and dedication to maintaining the Lakers’ legacy and Pelinka’s keen ability to negotiate player deals, manage salary cap challenges, and build championship-caliber rosters make it a match made in heaven. You don’t bring in the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and now Luka Doncic without being an expert at the business. And this is only possible due to Jeanie’s commitment to the process.

“Rob Pelinka is not just our general manager—he’s a partner who shares my passion for this organization. His ability to navigate the complexities of the NBA and secure our future is unparalleled,” says Buss. Pelinka isn’t shy of speaking his mind either, saying “Working with Jeanie is an honor. Her commitment to the Lakers’ legacy inspires every decision we make. It’s that alignment of values and vision that drives us to build a team that not only wins championships but also sets the standard for excellence in every aspect.”

The Mavericks will be Luka Doncic’s first game against his old club, and it’s gonna be a blockbuster of an NBA fixture. Jeanie Buss’ appearance is uncertain but possible, and Rob Pelinks is likely to show up at the Crypto.com Arena to watch his newest acquisition lay the Mavericks out on the hardwood.