Despite moving the biggest, most amazing and frankly transformative trade of a generation at the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, the LA Lakers still are not back in title contention.
The arrival of Luka Doncic reopened a theoretical competitive window, paired the Slovenian bohemian with the eternal LeBron James and the effervescent Austin Reaves to create a dynamic offensive trio that will only get better together with a full season of chemistry. But with the defensive personnel lacking and a roster not built around Doncic – simply because they never knew they were going to have him – they are not there yet, as evidenced by their defeat in five games in the first round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It is hard to be too downbeat on Lakers basketball in 2025, as the honeymoon period from the Doncic heist continues. What the early exit has shown, though, is that this team as of right now is not ready. And with LeBron now being 40 years old, if he is to have one more title run within him, then next year will likely be it. There is therefore a reasonable sense of urgency to be had, even among the positivity, and the Lakers now enter a summer in which they need to be buyers.