LeBron James y Los Angeles Lakers They were quickly eliminated from the playoffs of the NBA 2025 by Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, ending in a disappointing way to the 22nd season of his illustrious career.
Since the Lakers They were far from their goal of lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy As NBA champions in 2025, the franchise will return to the planning table to define a strategy for the low season.
The general manager of Los Angeles, Rob Pelinka, will surely seek to surround James Ya Luka Doncic, with more complementary talent to compensate for the early elimination against Minnesota.
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To give their point of view about the difficulties the team faces when building a competitive template, Rich Paul -In personal and agent of James- How complicated a competitive team can be put together around the stellar duo of James and Doncic.
“I really don’t think the Lakers squad was or close to being a template to win the championship, you know?”Paul told the insider of the NBA Chris Haynes during the Friday episode of his podcast Haynes Briefs.
“And it’s not an excuse. It’s a fact,” he said. “It is very difficult to build a team for the present and the future … you need assets. You need salary flexibility. You need Draft capital.”he said.
With the current nucleus composed of Doncic, James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers directive must make strategic movements on the margins to incorporate valuable pieces that make the team a true contender within a highly competitive west conference.
The only young value asset that the team has is Dalton Knechtselected in the 17th position of the NBA 2024 Draft, whom they already tried to transfer in an agreement failed mid -season to acquire the pivot of Charlotte Hornets, Mark Williams.
Beyond Knecht, the Lakers have contracts that are to be overcome of good size that could be included in a transfer by a star player, an option that Pelinka should consider after its shocking acquisition of Doncic before the deadline of transfer of February 6.
With 40 years, James will enter his 23rd season in 2025-26, and it is likely that the Lakers dome will do everything possible this summer to surround the future member of the Hall of Fame with a cast of support of height.
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*Original article published by Dean Simon and translated by Facundo Echaren
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