The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. It was a stunning exit for the Lakers, who were projected to compete for the championship after they acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in February.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick and president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka conducted their end-of-the-season press conference on Thursday with local reporters. Redick, who was hired last summer despite never coaching in the NBA, said some of his players need to be in better shape next season.
Advertisement
After Redick’s quote went viral on X, fans started to wonder if the coach was subtly calling out Doncic, who was traded by the Mavericks due to conditioning and defensive issues.
“Publicly sending shots to Luka?” one fan wrote.
“Luka Doncic,” another fan said.
Doncic was targeted by Timberwolves players on defense during the five-game series. He routinely got blown by on defense and didn’t show much effort in getting back on defense after missing shots near the basket.
Even though Doncic averaged 30.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the Lakers-Timberwolves series, many Los Angeles fans want the All-Star to get in better shape this summer.
Advertisement
“Luka time to step up,” one fan said.
“Luka plays like he’s moving a piano on his back,” another fan wrote.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77)Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists this season with the Mavericks and Lakers. He shot 45.0% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 78.2% from the free-throw line.
However, his defense wasn’t pretty to watch.
The Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million contract in August. Doncic will make $46 million next season. He has a player option worth $48.9 million for the 2026-27 season.
Related: Bryce James’ 2026 Draft Eligibility Could Decide LeBron James’ NBA Future