For the fifth straight year since their last NBA title in 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers are going home earlier than they would've liked. And for the fourth year during that span, they're going home a lot earlier than they wanted, as this was the fourth time they've packed their bags after the postseason's first round or earlier.
The addition of Luka Doncic at the trade deadline was always going to make it tough for the Lakers to coalesce enough to make a deep playoff run. However, going out in five games to the No. 6 seed was humbling nonetheless.
Doncic took some time to get acclimated, but he was playing his game by the time the playoffs rolled around. He averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on a 45/35/89 shooting line in that series, but he was once again a pylon on defense. Would those persistent worries about his defensive effort and conditioning give the Lakers pause this offseason?
Lakers seem to have made major Luka Doncic decision already
No chance. The Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Doncic, so they surely intend to build the next iteration of their team around his strengths and weaknesses. The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick have reportedly already heard as much from league and team sources.
"League and team sources say the partnership has been very positive for all parties, with the Lakers going to great lengths to make Dončić aware that they want him to lead the way in their next era, it remains unclear how the five-time All-Star will handle his contract situation."
That clearly means they want LeBron James to take a back seat to Doncic moving forward. The 40-year-old is still in amazing physical shape, but it's clear Father Time is starting to make his comeback on the King.
With James on a player option for next season, general manager Rob Pelinka has made it clear he intends to make the roster adjustments necessary to convince the 22-year veteran to stay on for the next phase of this Lakers project.
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Pelinka has been busy, as he was also spotted leaving a dinner with Doncic and head coach JJ Redick—who is expected to keep his job—following the Game 5 loss. It looked like they were exiting a business meeting too, so we can only assume they were talking seriously about basketball.
Luka, JJ, and Rob were seen leaving dinner together last night in LA…
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) May 3, 2025
Looks like they were discussing some sort of business 👀
(via HollywoodFamous323/TT) pic.twitter.com/YnZ0M05B8g
Doncic is only locked in for one more year with the Lakers, but all signs point to him re-signing sooner rather than later. He could opt out and leave the Lakers next summer, but whatever team he joins would only be able to give him a five percent raise, while the Lakers could do eight percent.
With the Lakers telling him they want him to be the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future and L.A. capable of paying him more than anyone else, Doncic should sign a max four-year, $229 million extension later this summer. He's had a great time in L.A. so far.
"It’s been great, honestly. The way the fans accepted me has been amazing. I’m glad I’m here, I had a great couple of months … trying to learn about the city, about the team, just trying to process everything."
In a recent interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews, he was asked if he wanted to spend the rest of his career with the Lakers. He did not hesitate in responding, "Yes."
With Doncic seemingly on board, Pelinka and company now need to get to the job of adding athleticism and size to this roster. He could start with a big man in Brooklyn.
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