Posted Dec 9 2009 7:16PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA's most valuable team, and 12 franchises lost money in the 2008-09 season, according to Forbes magazine.
In its annual listing of the value of NBA franchises, Forbes finds Lakers to be worth $607 million, up 4 percent for the league champions. Second are the New York Knicks at $586 million, but that is a 4 percent drop. The Knicks led the rankings for the four previous seasons.
The Chicago Bulls ($511 million), Detroit Pistons ($479 million) and Cleveland Cavaliers ($476 million) round out the top five.
At the bottom of the 30-team rankings are the Milwaukee Bucks at $254 million. The league average worth is $367 million, down 4 percent, according to Forbes.
The teams losing money in the last 12 months are the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Bobcats, New Jersey Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks.
Teams' average operating income was $7.8 million, with the Lakers at the top with $51.1 million, just ahead of the Bulls at $51 million. Portland's value has increased the most, by 10 percent, while the Kings and Grizzlies each have dropped the most, by 13 percent.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Source: Forbes |
 | Heat vs. Bucks LeBron James scores 35 points and pulls down eight boards in the Heat's 114-96 victory over the Bucks. |
 | Nash to Frye The Suns' Steve Nash grabs the errant pass and leads the break in the first quarter against the Warriors. |
 | Lamar's Lob Lamar Odom throws the one-handed lob to Brandan Wright for the jam. |
 | Through and Over Four Defenders LeBron James drives through two defenders and finishes with the slam over two other defenders. |
 | Spinning Baseline Slam Vince Carter drives baseline, spins in the air and throws down the monster slam. |
 | Clippers Break Reggie Evans runs the break and throws the alley-oop to Blake Griffin for the slam. |
 | Sixers vs. Bobcats Louis Williams scores 23 points to lead the Sixers to a 98-89 win over the Bobcats. |
 | Griffin to the Rim Blake Griffin works his post moves until he is able to get the dunk. |
 | Timberwolves vs. Magic Hedo Turkoglu scores 14 points and pulls down six rebounds as Orlando tops Minnesota 102-89. |
 | Clippers vs. Mavericks: First half Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood each have 10 points to lead the Mavericks to a 55-47 halftime advantage over the Clippers. |
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use. | Ad Choices 
NBA.com is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
