It seemed like both Los Angeles-based teams were set to make serious noise in the 2025 Playoffs. On one hand, the Lakers secured the third seed, while the Clippers notched 18 wins in their last 21 regular-season games.
However, both have been eliminated in the first round and are facing tough questions about which direction they need to take to reach their championship ceiling. According to Tim MacMahon, Purple & Gold is in slightly better shape, mainly because they have a generational superstar in Luka Doncic around whom to build their team.
McMahon believes the Lakers are in a better position than Clippers
The Clips, in particular, appeared primed to advance further this year and finally break their first-round exit jinx. But in Game 7, their experienced stars fell flat—James Harden was restricted to seven points, whereas Norman Powell was to nine. Such a performance made it glaringly apparent that for this franchise to make a serious title push, they need a quality young superstar who can rise to the occasion.
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On the other hand, the manner in which the Lakers saw their campaign come to an end made them the most disappointing team of the 2025 Playoffs. Not only did they rely on a 40-year-old LeBron James to push them through, but Luka’s defensive lapses, Austin Reaves’ diminished production, and the bench again refusing to show up made it clear that this configuration will lead the Purple & Gold nowhere.
Still, MacMahon emphasized that the Lakers are in a much more promising situation than their city rivals. He stressed how, with “The Don” and other young pieces, they are almost certain to contend for the title in the forthcoming years. The Clippers, however, continue to rely on aging superstars, which would only lead them to a darker road.
“The Lakers, just because they have a generational talent to build around. They’ve got to build, and they have to figure it out,” MacMahon said. “I mean, depth was a major problem for the Lakers, they played five guys for the entire half of a playoff game – something that we’ve never seen before. But the Lakers have not had a whole lot of problems convincing guys.”
Clippers need to bring in another young superstar
With Kawhi Leonard being injury-prone and Harden continuing to disappear in pressure-packed moments, it has become increasingly clear that this duo cannot be trusted to lead a championship run. If the Clippers want to stay relevant, they must make a bold move, perhaps targeting a versatile, All-Star, All-NBA-caliber young talent who can score and facilitate. Someone like LaMelo Ball or Trae Young, who’s ready to take the reins as the face of a large-market, championship-hungry franchise.
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Meanwhile, do not be surprised if the Lakers make the smallest tweaks to their roster in the offseason, adding a quality pick-and-roll threat next to Luka, which can give him more options to be effective. Rob Pelinka will have his hands full, building a competent roster around the Slovenian sensation.