The 2024-25 season was stunning in many ways, but overall ended on a somewhat disappointing note, as the team’s acquisitions were unable to turn around and perform quickly enough. Rookie head coach JJ Redick did help his roster get off to a decent start, but they couldn’t even get past the first round and went home early.
Performance
The Lakers finished the regular season with a 50-32 record, securing a decent third seed in the Western Conference and winning their first Pacific Division title since 2020.
The season started off strong, with the team coming out on top in their first game of the year and then going on several short winning streaks throughout the first half of the season.
All the shots that beat the clock ⏰@TISSOT | #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness pic.twitter.com/dQ9jcvzxg8
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 26, 2025
That being said, their raw numbers weren’t too impressive: the Lakers averaged 113.4 points per game while allowing 112.2. An offensive rating of 115.9 (12th in the NBA) and a defensive rating of 114.7 (15th) aren’t that special either.
However, coach Redick altered their offensive philosophy, resulting in a handful of extra wins. The team increased its three-point attempts from 31.4 per game in the previous season to 36.4, moving from the second-worst to the middle of the pack in the league.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Lakers, as they slumped to a 3-10 record during the holiday period immediately after their NBA Cup run ended, with injuries continuing to test the team’s depth.
21 All-NBA selections for the King 👑 pic.twitter.com/dzY1ht43Qr
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 23, 2025
The worst of all, though, was the playoffs, as they fell to the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 in the first round. Even with blockbuster trades that seemed a little sketchy, they were gone in the first round.
Next Season Outlook
Despite the sad ending to their 2024-2025 run, next season should be decent for the team if they can keep their core together from this point on, focusing on Luka Dončić and centring their offence around his game.
Dončić, at just 25 years old, ended up in Los Angeles’s hands through some weird means, but he looks like he’ll be their poster boy for years to come. With his elite playmaking ability, scoring prowess, and clutch genes, the Lakers have a legitimate franchise cornerstone for the next decade.
Reminder: Luka Doncic is only 26
MVP season loading
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) June 23, 2025
Moreover, the Slovenian star’s chemistry with LeBron should only improve with a full training camp and season together.
Summer Decisions
The LA front office needs to figure out where they need to be in the next several years, as Luka Dončić requires real teammates to help him win. Mainly, they need to determine what to do with Dorian Finney-Smith, Dončić’s close friend and former Dallas teammate, while searching for someone to fill the void inside after trading Davis, with several free agents and trade targets potentially available.
Luka really ran through the Thunder in the playoffs last year 😭pic.twitter.com/kFwuRIxDIe
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) June 23, 2025
Financially, the team have some decent flexibility, with Maxi Kleber’s expiring $11 million contract a valuable trade asset. The Lakers also kept their 2031 first-round pick in the Dončić trade, giving them at least something to work with for the offseason.
The Western Conference remains extremely competitive, but a fully healthy Lakers team with a full season of Dončić and James together could probably hold their own against anyone. The key will be load management for the 41-year-old James and building proper depth to withstand the pain of an 82-game season.
LeBron and Luka Dončić: What Happened?
The February 2, 2025, trade that brought Luka Dončić to Los Angeles was one of the largest in NBA history, sparking widespread discontent among NBA fans. The move came with no warning, giving off some shady backroom vibes. Even LeBron James was reportedly at dinner when the news broke, completely unaware of the trade of the decade happening at that moment.
The trade sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to Dallas in exchange for Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, with Utah facilitating as the third team. Dallas GM Nico Harrison, citing a belief that “defence wins championships,” made the stunning decision to trade away a 25-year-old Luka Dončić who had just led the Mavericks to the Finals.
Luka Doncic posting up with LeBron James one pass away and look at that decision. You give Luka the space or you send help and open up a kick to an open LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/TGxiPYil7U
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 26, 2025
For the Lakers, the trade was more than they could’ve possibly asked for: they got a guy averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists who could both complement LeBron in the present and carry the franchise for the next decade while giving away nothing.
The duo then got off to a decent start after the trade, even with Dončić missing some time with a calf injury. All that really happened was LeBron played a lot more off the ball, conserving energy to hopefully make it to the playoffs.
However, down the stretch, they didn’t have the depth they needed, especially with two ball-dominant players both trying to play at full throttle. They really need more time together if they want to be successful, but with LeBron’s age, he could be done any day.
