Warriors reach $14.5 billion valuation, claim NBA’s No. 1 spot over Lakers, Knicks

The Golden State Warriors have reached a staggering $14.5 billion valuation, solidifying their position as the NBA's top-ranked franchise, according to Sportico's latest projections. This valuation is up 28% from their 2025 valuation of $11.3 billion. The team's success can be attributed to the tenure of Stephen Curry, who has led the franchise to four NBA championships since 2015.

The franchise was purchased by Joe Lacob and his ownership group in July 2010 for an estimated $450 million. Since then, the team has experienced exponential growth, increasing by 3,100% in value over the past 16 years. Lacob's ownership has been pivotal in the Warriors' ascent to the top, having added key players like Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala, and hiring Steve Kerr as head coach.

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers follow the Warriors in the top three, with valuations of $12.8 billion and $12.5 billion respectively. The Lakers saw a slight dip this year, falling to third place with a valuation of $12.5 billion, down from their $10 billion valuation after a $10 billion sale to Mark Walter in 2025.

The top 10 teams by valuation for the 2026-27 NBA season, according to Sportico, are: Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets. The NBA as a whole is in a strong position, with the average team valued at 14.6 times earnings, up 13.5% from 2025. The league generated an estimated $13.7 billion in revenue during the 2025-26 season, with teams averaging $456 million in revenue each.