Overview

• Luka Doncic’s midseason trade sparked a third seed in the Western Conference but a five-game first-round loss to the Timberwolves laid bare roster shortcomings.
• Magic Johnson stressed that Los Angeles expects championships and urged Doncic to emulate LeBron James’s title-leading impact after the playoff exit.
• The first-round defeat exposed defensive lapses and a lack of size, pushing the front office to prioritize an athletic center and bench upgrades.
• Doncic has posted weight-room videos during the offseason to address conditioning concerns flagged by team legends and analysts.
• General Manager Rob Pelinka faces pressure to finalize moves that balance scoring firepower with defensive toughness for next season’s title bid.