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.

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“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.