After acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February, the Los Angeles Lakers were projected by many NBA fans and experts to compete for the championship this year.
However, despite having Doncic and NBA legend LeBron James, the Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games.
Los Angeles’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, is expected to be busy this offseason.
Not only are Doncic and Austin Reaves eligible to sign extensions, but James also has a player option to return to the team and upgrades to the roster need to be made after the Timberwolves exposed JJ Redick’s group in the 2025 playoffs.
Keith Smith of Spotrac expects James to be back with the Lakers next season for his 23rd NBA campaign and Doncic to sign an extension with the Lakers this offseason.
Smith also predicted that Los Angeles will add three types of players around
Look for the Lakers to add a quality center, some shooting and probably a veteran point guard. That would put them in the mix to challenge for a spot near the top of the Western Conference,” Smith wrote.
The Lakers must acquire a center this offseason. Redick played without a traditional center in the second half of Game 4 of the Timberwolves series and all of Game 5.
During his end-of-the-season press conference, Pelinka admitted that he will try to acquire a center this offseason.
“We know this offseason, one of our primary goals is going to be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position,” Pelinka said. “This roster needs more size and needs a center. That’s a very clear and obvious by-product of trading potentially the best big in the league to Dallas to get a point guard. Of course, that’s going to open up a huge hole.”
