The Los Angeles Lakers’ season came to an abrupt end after a first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sparking discussions about the state of the roster and the decisions made throughout the year. In a postseason press conference on Thursday, head coach JJ Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka addressed the team’s struggles, but one comment from Redick stood out.
“We have a ways to go as a roster, and certainly there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape, there’s certainly other ones that could’ve been in better shape. That’s where my mind goes immediately,” Redick said.
While Redick did not mention any player specifically, his comments immediately raised speculation about Luka Doncic, whose fitness has been a topic of discussion since his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks. Reports suggested that concerns about Doni’s conditioning, as well as his looming supermax extension, factored into the decision of Dallas GM Nico Harrison to move him.
Adding another layer to the discussion, Redick’s in-game decision-making came under scrutiny earlier in the series. In Game 4, he opted to keep his starters in for the entire second half without substitutions, a risky strategy that appeared to backfire as fatigue set in. While he adjusted in Game 5, Doncic, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves still logged around 40 minutes each in the loss.
There is no doubt they have needs
Pelinka pointed to the team’s need for a center, a glaring weakness after Anthony Davis was sent to Dallas in the Doni trade. The Lakers struggled to contain Rudy Gobert, whose presence in the paint proved decisive for Minnesota. LeBron James, always measured in his responses, seemed to acknowledge the irony of the situation. When asked about the team’s need for a big man, he smiled and said, “No comment. My guy AD said what he needed and then he was gone the following week, so, I got no comment.”
As the offseason begins, major questions loom over the franchise. James, now 40, will once again take time to evaluate his future, as speculation swirls around whether he will return for another season. Since winning the 2020 championship, the Lakers have failed to meet expectations, leaving fans and analysts wondering about their next move.
Despite the disappointing result, Pelinka defended both the trade for Doni and the decision to hire Redick, insisting the organization remains confident in its direction. However, with mounting criticism and fan unrest in Dallas, some are reconsidering whether Nico Harrison made the right call in moving on from Doncic.
The Lakers will need to retool their roster, address their defensive gaps, and solidify their offensive approach if they hope to return to championship contention. One thing is certain, there is no question the pressure is on.
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