The Lakers were once the gold standard with 17 championships, Showtime magic, Kobe’s killer instinct, and Shaq’s dominance. And now imagine rooting for a Lakers team with LeBron James and Luka Dončić, only to watch them crumble in the first round, again. Despite a strong 50-32 regular season, Pacific Division title, and the historic father-son duo of LeBron and Bronny James. The Lakers fell flat in the playoffs, losing 4-1 to the Timberwolves. Luka’s 30.2 PPG couldn’t mask defensive struggles, especially against Rudy Gobert (27 & 24 in Game 5), while the blockbuster trade for Dončić, which cost them Anthony Davis, left the frontcourt exposed. Moreover, Jarred Vanderbilt’s long-awaited return became a glaring “what if?” for the Lakers’ doomed playoff run.

After missing most of the season recovering from offseason foot surgeries, the defensive sparkplug was barely a shell of himself. Averaging just 1.4 points on 33% shooting in 12 minutes per game, with a brutal 0-for-1 from three and minimal offensive impact. His 19-minute stint in Game 5 (2 points, 7 rebounds) showcased his hustle. However, it wasn’t nearly enough to offset the Lakers’ frontcourt woes. Once a key piece of their 2023 Western Conference Finals run, Jarred Vanderbilt’s inability to regain form left the Lakers’ bench thin, and their playoff hopes even thinner.

Even the Ex-Warriors star, Gilbert Arenas had a strong take on the subject. On @gilsarenashow, he said “The one position that hurt us, and I don’t want to point him out, but I’m going to have to, and he was wide open so much as a layup, but because he’s little, he missed a lot of shots and f—– up a lot of points, was Vander.” Holding Jarred Vanderbilt accountable for a below the mark performance.

He continued to expose the lack of chemistry. “Nah, just in the dunker spot, they’re dipping it off to him, and it’s not like he got a 40-inch vertical where he’s power dunking. As soon as he gets the ball and he goes up, it’s like he’s going to get blocked or he’s going to miss a layup because he has to jump over people. If you look at it, there’s a lot of key moments where they’re coming in, they dump it off to him, but he probably got, let’s just be honest, he probably got a 36-inch vertical, if that.”

Lakers have been consistently giving us First-round exits, desperate superstar trades. It has turned into a franchise scrambling to relive its glory days while LeBron’s clock ticks away. Continuing down this same path would also be unfair to the loyal fanbase. They deserve a team built for sustainable contention, not just nostalgia.

What The Future Might Hold For The Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers enter a defining offseason after a disappointing first-round playoff exit. With LeBron James’ future uncertain, the franchise must prepare for life beyond his legendary career. While his on-court production remains elite, his $52.6 million player option looms large. If he returns, the Lakers remain contenders. If he departs, they must pivot toward a new era built around Luka Dončić and emerging talent.

Luka Dončić’s extension eligibility adds another layer of complexity. The Lakers traded Anthony Davis to acquire him, betting on his offensive brilliance to carry the franchise. However, his defensive limitations and hesitation to commit long-term raise questions. Securing his signature is crucial. But the front office must also surround him with better defensive pieces and reliable role players to maximize his impact. And now even Jarred Vanderbilt’s performance has put the front office under pressure, as fans demand a revamp.

Roster construction will be pivotal. With no first-round pick, the Lakers must rely on free agency and trades to address their needs. Targeting defensive-minded biggies like Clint Capela or Kevon Looney could shore up their interior weaknesses. Coach JJ Redick’s development-focused approach offers promise. But the front office must strike the right balance between youth and experience to remain competitive in a loaded Western Conference.