For the past couple of years, there has been talk about one of the NBA's LA teams (Lakers, Clippers) possibly moving out of Staples Center. The Clippers are already exploring that idea, as they're looking to build an arena in Inglewood. However, it has been revealed that the Lakers initially thought about moving back to The Forum back in 2017.

According to LA Times' Nathan Fenno, they were able to obtain email conversations involving business tycoon Irving Azoff, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and the latter's top advisor, Linda Rambis. In the said emails, Azoff asked Buss and Rambis about their thoughts of the Lakers moving back to the forum.

The email thread began around June 2017.

Although Buss and Rambis responded positively to Azoff's pitch, it seems that the Lakers are likely going to stay at Staples Center, as the team released a statement last Wednesday about their plans of extending their lease of the said arena.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after a 3-point basket in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James teases retirement decision with cryptic social media postAlex House ·
Lakers fans will mock Mike Bibby's 2002 Western Conference Finals claims
Lakers fans will mock Mike Bibby’s 2002 Western Conference Finals claimsJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) and forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center.
Key LeBron James, Luka Doncic Lakers teammate undergoes surgeryPreston Byers ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball up court against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Stephen A. Smith calls out Lakers’ Luka Doncic for ‘lacking leadership’Julian Ojeda ·
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) finishes off a dunk in the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Ball Arena.
Russell Westbrook’s 10 greatest accomplishments, rankedSpencer See ·
Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the fourth quarter in game three of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the Lakers logo in the background
Alex Caruso reveals differences between Thunder, Lakers NBA Finals runsJosue Pavon ·

“MSG approached the Lakers about the possibility of returning to the Forum following the end of our Lease at Staples Center in 2025, but nothing came from the discussions.”

The Forum is presently owned by Madison Square Garden Co., a New York-based sports and entertainment company, which has a close business relationship with Azoff.

The Forum was home of the Lakers from 1967-1999. The franchise won six titles in that arena before moving to Staples Center to win three straight championships in their first three years of stay.

The Lakers have six years left in their contract with the Staples Center management, so they will have enough time to contemplate on whether to extend their lease or move back to The Forum or somewhere else.