The Los Angeles Lakers are now finished with the 2025-26 season. They were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Of course, they did not have the services of Luka Doncic available for the entirety of that series.
Doncic missed the entire postseason with a hamstring injury. He mentioned that he was not close to returning, so Los Angeles never had a shot to see him play against OKC. Now, the team has some big decisions to make regarding the roster this summer.
GM Rob Pelinka let everyone know that Doncic will be involved, but not too involved in those decisions.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka looks on before a game. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Lakers’ GM Rob Pelinka reveals Luka Doncic’s Involvement in Roster Decisions
While speaking to the media, Pelinka addressed how much input Doncic will have on the roster this summer.
“The key word is that it’s an ongoing, collaborative process. It’s not ‘Hey, I want X, Y, and Z.’ So, we’re in constant communication with him and his team. I plan on seeing him before he takes off to go home and spend some time with his daughters.”
Pelinka also made it clear that Doncic does not want to interfere with how he or JJ Redick approaches their jobs.
“He also does it in a way where he wants to do his job great, and he wants to let JJ do his job great and let me do my job great. So they really are productive conversations through that lens.
Doncic had input on how some of the team was put together last summer, as well. Doncic is now the face of the franchise, so the team will be built in his image moving forward. Any player they acquire in a trade or through free agency needs to complement what he does.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic looks on during a game against the Thunder. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Will Need to Make a Ton of Decisions This Summer
This summer, Doncic will need to address several issues. He has already mentioned that he wants Austin Reaves to stay in Los Angeles. Keeping him long-term will likely be LA’s priority this summer, as he can opt out of his deal after next season.
The Lakers also need to decide if they want to keep LeBron James. James is an unrestricted free agent and is also 41 years old. The consensus around the league seems to be that he will play elsewhere, but LA could try to keep him. If they do. he will need to take a huge pay cut.
How Pelinka fills the team around Doncic will determine whether they can come closer to the kind of team that the Thunder is. Oklahoma City is the best team in the NBA at the moment, and they are also the defending champions. Closing that gap is what LA is looking to do this summer, and Doncic will have an input on how that gap is closed.
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