Luka Doncic may be just 27 years of age and early in his prime, but there is a strong sense that the Los Angeles Lakers need to significantly upgrade their roster this offseason if they are to ever win at least one NBA championship with him.
They finished 53-29 and claimed the fourth seed in the Western Conference during the regular season, but with Doncic sidelined during the playoffs due to a hamstring strain, they were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Just about everyone agrees the team needs upgrades in terms of athleticism, defense, 3-point shooting and overall depth.
Per Jorge Quiroga of Marca, Doncic admitted that this season was bad since the Lakers didn’t win. Considering his desire to win an NBA title, he likely meant it was bad because the team didn’t win it all.
“Well, I think it’s bad. Whenever you don’t win it’s a bad season, so if you don’t win it’s not a good one.”
The superstar also sounded the alarm as far as how important this offseason is for the franchise to move closer to its ultimate goal.
“I think it’s very important. I think every summer is very important. And I think this one is a little more so too. Having a good team, good people on the team. So I think it’s an important summer.”
Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.6 steals a game this season. He won his second scoring title and was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fifth time in the last six years, and he even improved his defense, something that had been a weakness of his.
Los Angeles is projected to have up to roughly $50 million in salary cap space, and some of it will likely be used to re-sign at least a couple of its current players, including perhaps LeBron James and Austin Reaves. The team needs an upgrade at the center position, as well as a couple of speedy two-way wings and guards.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Luka Doncic sounds the alarm of urgency for Lakers this offseason
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
