There was silence on April 30 when the buzzer went off at Crypto.com Arena. The Jumbotron displayed a scoreline of 96-103. And the final record was: the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1, and the LA Lakers 1-4. The math wasn’t so difficult; Anthony Edwards & Co. tore apart LeBron James & Co. Well, JJ Redick had June 5 marked on his calendar; the NBA Finals, that was the dream. However, fate weaves its will with unseen thread, and mocks the paths we think we tread. Such is the condition of LA that even Bron’s agent, Rich Paul, cannot keep calm.
For many people, fans, critics, and experts alike, this downfall of the Purple and Gold did not come as a surprise. But, looking at the bigger picture here, Rob Pelinka’s golden pick, Luka Doncic’s presence, too, wasn’t of much help. He had already faced the Wolves in the 2024 WCF as a Maverick. However, it looked like Ant and his boys just knew where the buttons were to switch off LA.
Speaking with NBA insider Chris Haynes on Haynes Briefs, LeBron James’s agent, Rich Paul, gave his blunt verdict on the Los Angeles Lakers and their roster. Interestingly enough, LA was a public favorite before the series kicked off. Of course, the third seed of the West with players like James Sr. and Luka Doncic leading the show! Wow. On the other hand, the Wolves- a mere 6th seed, how are they going to become a trouble? But as the series unfolded, Minnesota flipped the story.
Paul said, “I think people really focus on the more popular names and don’t really dissect the team aspect of it. There’s also an aspect where you’re just used to seeing someone win for so long, and you make decisions based on that when picking who’s going to win a series. But it was clear right away that it was the worst matchup for them for a number of reasons—size, athleticism, youth, depth.”
The biggest trouble with the Lakers is the lack of a center on the team. Yes, Jaxson Hayes could’ve taken charge after playing the regular season, averaging 7.8 minutes. However, he failed to crack JJ Redick’s rotation in Round 1. Compared to the Wolves’ fast game, long wingspan, and quick maneuver, Rob Pelinka‘s roster seemed slow and weak. Especially the failed strategies to guard Anthony Edwards will cost them a lifetime of recovery from this debacle.
Now, speaking about the Lakers roster, Rich Paul didn’t mince words. He bluntly claimed, “I just really didn’t think the roster for the Lakers was anywhere close to a championship-type roster. That’s not making excuses. It’s just a fact.” Well, surprisingly enough, his words seem to sit well with what Stephen A. Smith had once predicted on ESPN during the regular season. The Lakers don’t have a championship-winning team this year, that’s what the veteran had stated.
“It’s very hard to build a team for today and tomorrow. Like anything else, the cupboard can’t be bare. You’ve got to have assets, cap flexibility, and draft capital,” Rich Paul explained. “You’ve got to have guys that are developing into or playing at a level in which you’re getting production. They might be making X amount of dollars that is not as impactful on your salary cap, but you’re getting $20 million production out of that player.”
The Lakers head into the 2025 offseason burdened by a steep $36.8 million cap overage and a $40.9 million luxury tax bill. With LeBron set to earn $48.7M—possibly $52.6M—and Luka locked in at $43M, rising to $48.9M, their payroll is squeezed tight. Moreover, they’ve handed their unprotected first-round pick to Atlanta, leaving only No. 55 in hand. As a result, trade flexibility and roster upgrades now hang by a thread. While Rob Pelinka continues to face the wrath of the Laker Nation and now of Rich Paul, something more concerning revolving around LeBron James is looming at large.
