The Los Angeles Lakers went into the NBA Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with legitimate hopes to make a run behind the collective firepower and IQ of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. But the Lakers learned quickly that they may be farther away from contending than anticipated, getting sent home in five games in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers now have a massive offseason ahead of them, as they have to make several moves to turn the roster into a legitimate contender. They need to add size and defense at all positions in order to make the trio of Doncic, James and Reaves work.
Some have said that the Lakers can’t build a contender around that core due to the defensive shortcomings. But former NBA star Blake Griffin doesn’t believe that. He spoke about the Lakers core and what they need to do to be able to contend, via DJ Siddiqi of of BookMaker:
“I definitely think so,” says Griffin in a one-on-one interview with Bookmaker Ratings when asked if he believes the Lakers can be contenders with the current core. “I think you have to get creative. They’re going to have to build that roster for the playoffs. I don’t think that roster was built well for the playoffs at all. Luka and Austin Reaves on the floor at the same time, you watch the Wolves series, they’re just going at one of them every single time.”
Griffin continued on that the Doncic trade served as a reset of the roster construction, and they now need to reshape the entire thing around their new superstar:
“You give somebody 24 million a year, you’re hoping that they can be on the floor for the majority of minutes in the playoffs,” says Griffin. “Finding a way to build around Luka and LeBron a little bit better. I know the Luka trade sort of messed things up, right? Because they were built better defensively, much better defensively, before this (with Anthony Davis). Now this offseason, you have to get creative and figure out a way to really put the right pieces around them.”
The Lakers undoubtedly can build a contender around Doncic and James. However, it’s going to take more than just one move and L.A. is going to have to hit on a few marginal decisions in the offseason. The Dallas Mavericks were able to build a championship contender around Luka by adding size and defense everywhere else. Now, L.A. is going to try to do their own version of that formula.
JJ Redick wants to bring out best in Luka Doncic
The Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic was one of the most seismic deals in the history of the NBA and completely changed the fortunes of their franchise. But it was always going to be a process for head coach JJ Redick to integrate him in the middle of the season as practice time is limited.
Even still, Redick and the Lakers coaching staff did as good a job as possible and the team had an excellent end to the regular season before falling into the playoffs. But now going into next season, Redick will have an entire offseason to better integrate Doncic into the offensive system and has confidence in what he, LeBron James and Austin Reaves will grow into.
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