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The Los Angeles Lakers ended up falling well short of expectations in this 2024-25 season. The Lakers finished the regular season with an impressive 50-32 record to get the third seed in the Western Conference, but failed to even win a playoff series.
The Lakers were widely viewed as the favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. They went toe-to-toe and even got the better of the Timberwolves for periods in that series, but were completely outplayed when it mattered most.
The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 127-85 in the fourth quarter over the course of the series to knock them out in five games. While the fourth-quarter woes were a big talking point, so was the fact that they did not have a starting-caliber big man.
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka on the court before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Lakers head coach JJ Redick showed he had little to no faith in Jaxson Hayes, as the big man averaged just 7.6 minutes per game in the series. The Timberwolves had success against the small-ball lineups, with Rudy Gobert notably recording 27 points and 24 rebounds in Game 5.
It was clear during and after this series that the Lakers' biggest need this offseason was a big man. Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner has long been a target of theirs, and while he will be entering free agency this year, the Lakers are unlikely to land him. The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick believe Turner will be beyond their reach.
"Turner is widely considered the best big man on the free agency market, but — barring the kind of roster wizardry that would clear serious space — is expected to be well outside of their price range."
Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.0 blocks per game for the Pacers in 2024-25. Back in February, Buha reported that Turner would be seeking a deal starting in the $30-plus million range annually. If that is indeed the case, the Lakers will find it extremely difficult to bring him in.
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The Lakers were widely viewed as the favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. They went toe-to-toe and even got the better of the Timberwolves for periods in that series, but were completely outplayed when it mattered most.
The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 127-85 in the fourth quarter over the course of the series to knock them out in five games. While the fourth-quarter woes were a big talking point, so was the fact that they did not have a starting-caliber big man.
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Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka on the court before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Lakers head coach JJ Redick showed he had little to no faith in Jaxson Hayes, as the big man averaged just 7.6 minutes per game in the series. The Timberwolves had success against the small-ball lineups, with Rudy Gobert notably recording 27 points and 24 rebounds in Game 5.
It was clear during and after this series that the Lakers' biggest need this offseason was a big man. Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner has long been a target of theirs, and while he will be entering free agency this year, the Lakers are unlikely to land him. The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick believe Turner will be beyond their reach.
"Turner is widely considered the best big man on the free agency market, but — barring the kind of roster wizardry that would clear serious space — is expected to be well outside of their price range."
Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.0 blocks per game for the Pacers in 2024-25. Back in February, Buha reported that Turner would be seeking a deal starting in the $30-plus million range annually. If that is indeed the case, the Lakers will find it extremely difficult to bring him in.
Continue reading...
