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Lakers' Luka Doncic, Rob Pelinka, JJ Redick Hold Private Meeting

Alex Kirschenbaum|
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic poses for photos with general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic poses for photos with general manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers' 2024-25 season ended in spectacularly disappointing fashion on Wednesday, when the club couldn't capitalize on the Minnesota Timberwolves missing 40 triple tries to extend their first round playoff series beyond an eventual 103-96 Game 5 Minnesota victory.

L.A. now heads into an uncertain summer.

More Los Angeles Lakers News: Paul Pierce Says Lakers Need to Move on From LeBron James

21-time All-Star power forward LeBron James, who often looked completely fatigued in fourth quarters of the Timberwolves series, has a $52.6 million player option for 2025-26. He could either pick up that option, decline it and agree to a longer-term deal, decline it and enter unrestricted free agency, or, yes, retire.

The latest intel from Shams Charania of ESPN, however, has James suiting up for at least a record-extending 23rd NBA season next year. Whether that will be in L.A. or elsewhere, after a second straight five-game first round exit, remains to be seen.

3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who emerged as one of first-year head coach JJ Redick's five preferred players as the series progressed, has a $15.4 million player option of his own for next year. Starting center Jaxson Hayes, who by the end of the series was a healthy scratch, is an unrestricted free agent.

It's clear that the Lakers intend to prioritize adding wing defenders and at least one rim-rolling center to pair with their newest superstar, Luka Doncic. What kinds of franchise-altering moves they'll employ to do that remain to be seen.

More Los Angeles Lakers News: LeBron James Won't Convince Luka Doncic to Stay With Lakers

Most critically this summer, the five-time All-NBA First Team guard (who won't add a sixth All-NBA Team to his resume this year after missing 32 regular season games) can agree to a massive four-year, $229 million contract extension — or a three-year, $165 million extension with a player option for the third year — on August 2. Otherwise, Doncic could hit unrestricted free agency as soon as 2026.

Per Lakers All Day Everyday, Doncic, team president Rob Pelinka and Redick were spotted departing L.A. restaurant Craig's recently after what appears to be have been a private meeting.

The nature of their conversation has yet to be divulged.

Doncic, 26, is now the team's most important player, supplanting the 40-year-old James by default. The club's future depends on his buy-in. Redick and Pelinka surely appreciate that.

More Los Angeles Lakers News:

Lakers' Bronny James Drops Major Hint at When LeBron James Will Retire

JJ Redick Sends Strong Message to Lakers After Minnesota Playoff Series Loss

Rob Pelinka Talks Lakers' Offseason Priority Other Than Big Man

Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Waste No Time Taking Shots At Lakers

Western Conference Executive Compares Lakers' Austin Reaves to Undrafted Hall of Famer

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Los Angeles Lakers On SI.

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Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Currently also a scribe for Newsweek, Hoops Rumors, The Sporting News and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.

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