Top Performers at NBA 2K26 Summer League

The **Los Angeles Lakers** are a premier professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA), based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers, the franchise relocated to Los Angeles in 1960, becoming the NBA's first West Coast team. The Lakers compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference and play their home games at the Staples Center. Known for their iconic purple, gold, and black colors, the Lakers have a storied history of basketball excellence and cultural impact[1][2][4]. The organization is renowned for its **17 NBA championships**, tied for the most in league history, and its legacy of legendary players such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. The team's "Showtime" era in the 1980s epitomized their fast-paced, entertaining style of play, contributing to a global fanbase and significant brand equity[1][2][5]. After a period of struggle in the late 2010s, the Lakers rebounded by acquiring LeBron James in 2018 and Anthony Davis in 2019, culminating in winning the 2020 NBA Finals, a season notably disrupted and resumed in a pandemic "bubble"[2]. From a business perspective, the Lakers rank among the most valuable sports franchises worldwide, with a valuation around $6.4 billion as of 2023, and were sold in 2026 to billionaire Mark Walter for over $10 billion. Their financial success is bolstered by global brand recognition, lucrative partnerships, and a strong community presence through initiatives like the Lakers Youth Foundation[1][5]. The team continues to be a flagship franchise in sports, blending tradition with innovation, including embracing sports technology and analytics to maintain competitive advantage. Currently, the Lakers feature a star-studded roster including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and rising talents like Luka Dončić and Bronny James, aiming for their 18th championship

## Overview The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team and a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA), headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As the only NBA team based outside the United States, the Raptors represent a unique international presence in the league, both culturally and commercially[2]. The organization’s core business is fielding a competitive NBA team, but its activities also span fan engagement, merchandise, broadcasting, and community outreach, leveraging both sports and technology to build a global brand. ## History Founded in 1995 as an NBA expansion team, the Raptors initially struggled to find success, with limited playoff appearances and a revolving door of players and coaches[2][3]. The early 2000s saw the emergence of Chris Bosh, who became the face of the franchise, but the team’s fortunes only began to change significantly in the 2010s under the leadership of president Masai Ujiri[1]. Ujiri’s arrival in 2013 marked a turning point, ushering in an era of sustained competitiveness, multiple division titles, and consistent playoff appearances[1][3]. The franchise’s bold 2018 decision to trade fan favorite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard proved pivotal. That season, the Raptors set a franchise record with 59 regular-season wins, claimed the Eastern Conference’s top seed, and—despite playoff disappointments in previous years—reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 2019, defeating the Golden State Warriors to win their first NBA championship[1][2][4]. This victory made them the first non-U.S. team to win an NBA title and the first to do so without a lottery pick[4]. ## Key Achievements - **NBA Champions (2019):** The Raptors’ 2019 championship is the pinnacle of their achievements, bringing global recognition to the franchise and the city of

## Overview The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference[1]. Based in Sacramento, California, the Kings are notable as the oldest team in the NBA and the first major professional sports franchise in Sacramento, playing their home games at the technologically advanced Golden 1 Center[1]. ## History The franchise traces its roots to 1923 as the Rochester Seagrams, a semi-professional team in Rochester, New York[1]. It joined the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1945 as the Rochester Royals, winning the league title in its inaugural season[2]. The Royals were among the teams that transitioned to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1948, which soon merged into the NBA[2]. In 1951, the Royals captured the NBA championship, led by future Hall of Famers Bob Davies, Bobby Wanzer, and Arnie Risen[2]. Due to financial challenges in small markets, the team relocated to Cincinnati in 1957 (becoming the Cincinnati Royals), then to Kansas City in 1972 (as the Kansas City–Omaha Kings, later Kansas City Kings), and finally to Sacramento in 1985, adopting its current name[1]. The move to Sacramento marked a new era, embedding the team in the city’s identity and culture. ## Key Achievements The Kings’ 1951 NBA championship remains their pinnacle achievement[2]. During their Rochester era, they were a dominant force, regularly contending for titles in the early NBA years[2]. The Sacramento era has seen playoff appearances and memorable teams, notably the early 2000s squads led by Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and Mike Bibby, which electrified fans with a fast-paced, entertaining style of play. ## Current Status In recent years, the Kings have sought to rebuild, with