Author: Soccerhuz
It is now time for the Los Angeles Lakers to evaluate what exactly they lacked this season when they got waxed by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the first round of the playoffs. Time for them to evaluate what they need in order to become legitimate championship contenders when they reconvene for training at the end of this summer. Along with their multiple roster needs, they need to decide what to do regarding Luka Doncic’s contract status. The new Lakers superstar can opt out of his contract next summer, and some have had some mild concern that he…
The Los Angeles Lakers’ elimination in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs sparked strong reactions, with one of the most outspoken coming from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. The former player did not hold back in criticizing the lack of results from a team led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, despite the individual brilliance of both stars. Shaquille O’Neal Doesn’t Hold Back on the Lakers During a broadcast of NBA on TNT, the former Lakers star delivered a sharp critique of the team’s structure and its key figures—who form the core of a project aimed at winning multiple…
The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need of a center. They were eliminated in five games of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who imposed their will on the inside, taking advantage of a Lakers team playing Dorian Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura at center. For the Lakers to also get the most out of their new toy, Luka Doncic, he needs a rim-rolling lob threat and shot blocker patrolling the paint. A big reason he made the NBA Finals last season with the Dallas Mavericks was because he had Dereck Lively…
JJ Redick’s first season as an NBA head coach is now in the books. While many started to give him credit for a job well done in the late stages of this season, some started to hedge on that sentiment as his Los Angeles Lakers were in the process of being knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the Lakers’ season ended in Game 5 of that series, the team’s two superstars publicly expressed their confidence in Redick, starting with Luka Doncic. Doncic came to the Lakers in that monumental trade at the…
Ever since Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers, it became clear that they see him a long term solution to be the face of the franchise. With LeBron James turning 40 in December last year, it likely dawned upon the front office that Anthony Davis was not the long-term solution for their needs. After the Lakers were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, they immediately set their sights on what they need to do in the off season to improve the roster. While speaking to the media, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka made his feelings abundantly clear on the Lakers building…
LeBron James didn’t want to say what he thinks the Los Angeles Lakers need to do this offseason in order to improve their title chances after losing in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves, opting to plead the fifth when asked on Wednesday. Paul Pierce, on the other hand, knows what the Lakers must do next in order to become a title contender: move on from James. “You have to get out of the constraints of the LeBron Era,” Pierce said on Thursday’s “Speak.” “He’s just had a grasp of the whole organization, bear-hugging them, for so long now.…
Luka Doncic becomes extension-eligible on August 2 and is expected to stay long-term, with the Lakers open to any deal he prefers. LeBron James could return or retire, but if he stays, he’s unlikely to take another pay cut. The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 4-1 series defeat, despite entering the matchup as favorites among both oddsmakers and experts. With that disappointing exit, the LA Lakers’ front office now turns its focus to the future. General manager Rob Pelinka faces a critical offseason, needing…
The Los Angeles Lakers have a handful of tasks with which to concern themselves now that the Minnesota Timberwolves cut short the team’s first-ever playoff run with Luka Doncic, ending the title dreams of the historic franchise after just five games. Among the issues facing are L.A. are what to do about LeBron James’ future as he enters the second year of a two-year contract on which he has a player option and a no-trade clause, as well as how they can cobble together the salary cap space and/or a trade package to acquire a rim-running, rim-protecting big man who…
LeBron James might have been bummed out Wednesday night about his 22nd NBA season coming to an abrupt end with a loss to the Timberwolves but he took some time after the loss to talk about something that was really special for him—playing alongside his son, Bronny James, this year. LeBron and Bronny made history on opening night when they became the first father-son duo to play in a NBA game together. While Bronny struggled early on in his rookie year, he showed signs of improvement down the stretch and also excelled on the franchise’s G-League team. LeBron had this…
Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard/forward Luka Doncic fought through a back injury to score 28 points, nearly notching a triple double on Wednesday as the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by coach Chris Finch’s Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers’ loss came as Rudy Gobert demolished Los Angeles in the paint and Julius Randle teamed up with the French big man to score 11 fourth quarter points of his own, sealing LA’s fate. Afterward, Doncic was roasted by Charles Barkley and others for his alleged lack of defense. The Lakers’ trade acquisition had a six-word take when asked by reporters about…