Doncic starts shaping the Lakers in private LA meeting

For the second straight year, the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, losing their series 4–1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As they head into the offseason, the Purple and Gold face more questions than answers and will need to make roster moves, most notably acquiring a quality center, which will be a top priority this summer.

Lakers look to build around Doncic

The franchise now has its new star, Luka Doncic, and will look to build a team around him with the goal of returning to the NBA Finals—something they haven’t achieved since 2020—and winning a championship. As part of that commitment, the Slovenian guard had dinner Saturday night with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick at a restaurant in Los Angeles. A video showing the three entering the venue went viral on social media, and outlets like Bleacher Report reported on the meeting.

It’s crucial for the Lakers to be aligned at every level

The Lakers have long been a franchise that keeps its superstars informed of every major decision, and that approach won’t change with Luka Doncic. Everything starts at the top, with Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick. That’s why they met with the Slovenian point guard—to begin mapping out the team’s offseason plans and setting goals for the upcoming campaign.

The challenge is that the Lakers don’t have much to offer beyond Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. On top of that, they’re restricted by limited cap space and lack a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Pelinka and Redick will have a busy summer ahead, but they’ll stay in close communication with Doncic, who is expected to become the cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.

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