Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy weighed in on two of the franchise’s biggest storylines this summer—Luka Doncic’s physical transformation and the team’s $10 billion sale—while attending the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebrity Dinner. Known for speaking candidly about the purple and gold, Worthy praised both the organization’s direction and the superstar’s offseason progress.
The Lakers made headlines by securing Doncic on a lucrative extension after acquiring him in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks. While the guard impressed in his first stretch with Los Angeles, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, questions lingered about his conditioning. Dallas reportedly had concerns about his ability to stay healthy long-term, but Worthy joined those applauding Doncic’s commitment to reshaping his body this summer. With EuroBasket 2025 underway, Doncic dedicated his offseason to recovery and preparation, arriving in peak game shape before the upcoming NBA season.
Worthy’s remarks came during one of the year’s most high-profile charity gatherings. The Harold and Carole Pump Foundation dinner, hosted annually in August by brothers David and Dana Pump, raises funds and awareness for cancer treatment and research. Over the years, the Foundation has helped generate more than $10.5 million for institutions like the Carole Pump Women’s Center, the Harold and Carole Pump Department of Radiation Oncology, and the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Cancer Center at Northridge Hospital.
Worthy reflected on the dinner’s growth, recalling its humble beginnings in the late 1990s and describing it as one of the nation’s most impactful charity events today, per Clutchpoints.
The night’s celebratory atmosphere also came against the backdrop of historic change for the Lakers. Earlier this summer, controlling owner Jeanie Buss approved the team’s $10 billion sale, a figure that stunned the sports world and underscored the global reach of the NBA’s most iconic franchise. For a team already positioned to compete with Doncic at the forefront, the financial milestone further highlighted the Lakers’ significance on and off the court.
As Worthy emphasized, both the franchise and its newest superstar appear ready for a fresh chapter. With Doncic embracing peak form and the Lakers transitioning into new ownership, Los Angeles enters the 2025-26 season with renewed expectations and plenty of eyes watching.
