Most Expensive NBA Teams Ever Sold (Ranked by Price)
As media deals soar and global fanbases grow, the price tags for franchises are hitting historic highs. These sales tell stories of wealth, legacy, and a changing sports business. Here’s a ranking of the eight most expensive NBA team sales, plus a few extra that turned heads.
Cleveland Cavaliers – $375 Million (2008)
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Dan Gilbert bought the Cavs for $375 million just as LeBron James started becoming LeBron. The purchase paid off, literally. Gilbert got two LeBron eras, a 2016 title, and countless playoff appearances. Cleveland’s been through ups and downs since, but that championship banner made it all worth it.
Toronto Raptors – $400 Million (2012)
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When Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment bought the Raptors in 2012, nobody guessed they would win it all within a decade. But then came Kawhi Leonard, a Finals MVP, and a 2019 title parade through Toronto. The $400-million sale may have seemed modest then, but it kicked off the most successful run in the team’s history.
Golden State Warriors – $450 Million (2010)
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Speaking of a return on investment, Joe Lacob and Peter Guber paid $450 million for the Warriors in 2010. Thirteen years and four titles later, the franchise is now worth around $7 billion. Steph Curry changed everything. Golden State’s transformation has become the NBA’s most successful financial glow-up.
Atlanta Hawks – $850 Million (2015)
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The Hawks weren’t exactly hot sellers in 2015, but Tony Ressler’s group saw potential and coughed up $850 million just to secure the deal. Still, Atlanta was coming off a strong season, and the franchise had a solid market and growing fan base. The real goal was to build around youth and analytics. After Trae Young was drafted, it was a whole new chapter in ATL hoops.
Minnesota Timberwolves – $1.5 Billion (2021)
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Alex Rodriguez went from slugger to sports owner when he and Marc Lore entered a $1.5 billion agreement to buy the Timberwolves. The deal was spread across phases, which gave Glen Taylor time to hand over the reins. The Wolves hadn’t had much playoff luck, but Anthony Edwards’ emergence gave fans something to believe in.
Utah Jazz – $1.7 Billion (2020)
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Ryan Smith became the owner of his own team. In 2020, the Qualtrics CEO paid $1.7 billion for the Utah Jazz. A 42-year-old tech billionaire running a mid-market team? That alone stood out. Utah had a winning squad and passionate fans. The owner aimed to modernize operations and make the Jazz brand resonate far beyond Salt Lake City.
Los Angeles Clippers – $2 Billion (2014)
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No one expected the Clippers to become this valuable. Then Steve Ballmer wrote a $2 billion check in 2014 and blew the roof off NBA valuations. The sale, which was forced by Donald Sterling’s issue, came during a very public controversy. Ballmer brought energy, deep pockets, and eventually broke ground on a new arena. Ten years later, nobody’s calling them the “other” L.A. team anymore.
Houston Rockets – $2.2 Billion (2017)
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Tilman Fertitta had to wait more than 20 years to buy the Rockets. His first attempt failed in the ’90s, but he got his shot in 2017. After investing $2.2 billion, he owned a team headlined by James Harden and playoff expectations. The purchase raised eyebrows, since it surpassed even the Clippers’ record from three years earlier. Fertitta clearly saw long-term upside.
Brooklyn Nets – $2.35 Billion (2019)
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Joe Tsai didn’t buy the Brooklyn Nets all at once. He started with a 49% stake in 2018, then completed the purchase in 2019, which brought the team’s valuation to $2.35 billion. The deal also included full ownership of the Barclays Center. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant arriving shortly after, expectations skyrocketed. A title never materialized, but for a while, Brooklyn was right at the center of the NBA spotlight.
Charlotte Hornets – $3 Billion (2023)
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Michael Jordan sold high. Really high. He bought a majority stake in the Hornets for $275 million back in 2010. Fast-forward to 2023: he walked away with a $3-billion valuation. That’s a 10x return, despite only two playoff appearances during his run. New owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin took over a team with exciting youth, but a long way to go.
Dallas Mavericks – $3.5 Billion (2023)
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Mark Cuban selling the Mavericks hit differently. He kept control of basketball ops but handed over majority ownership to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont for $3.5 billion. What happened next was that Luka Dončić got traded in 2025, much to Mavs fans’ dismay. Cuban’s move left plenty of questions.
Milwaukee Bucks – $3.5 Billion (2023)
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Milwaukee isn’t a big market, but a big sale came anyway. The Bucks were sold in 2023 for $3.5 billion—10 times their 2014 price. Giannis Antetokounmpo had already delivered a championship and was locked in with a new deal. The valuation reflected that success and a franchise now seen as a consistent Eastern Conference powerhouse.
Phoenix Suns – $4 Billion (2023)
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Mat Ishbia bulldozed into the NBA with a $4 billion deal to buy the Suns and Mercury from Robert Sarver. Kevin Durant was acquired weeks later, draft picks were traded like flyers, and the luxury tax went through the roof. While wins didn’t quite follow, Ishbia’s arrival sent a message: Phoenix was swinging big.
Boston Celtics – $6.1 Billion (2025)
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The ink barely dried on the Celtics’ 18th championship banner before a new ownership deal hit the news. Bill Chisholm’s group bought the team at a $6.1 billion valuation and marked the second-largest NBA sale ever—until the Lakers one-upped them months later. Wyc Grousbeck isn’t out just yet, though. He’s still steering the ship until 2028.
Los Angeles Lakers – $10 Billion (2025)
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The Buss family finally let go. After nearly five decades, Jeanie Buss and her siblings sold their stake in the Lakers to Mark Walter, who was already part-owner, for a jaw-dropping $10 billion. Not only was it the biggest NBA sale ever, but it was also the largest known in all pro sports. Luka Dončić now leads the charge in L.A., while LeBron James continues to draw global attention.