"Purple Reign: Time To Channel Championship Pedigree"

It was an exciting start to the 2025 NBA season for Los Angeles; as the 
Lakers ushered in a new era. New head coach, culture, championship 
admirations. A blockbuster trade nobody thought would happen in 
February and a playoff push. All of that came to a screeching halt as the 
Lakers bowed out in five games against Minnesota. 
A magical season mauled by the young Timberwolves who showed no 
mercy in defeating Los Angeles. Lakers head coach JJ Redick in his exit 
interview took a subliminal shot at Luka Doncic by saying 
"championship shape." Laker nation knew exactly where this was going 
and why it was needed in sending a message. 
Doncic arrived early February via trade which sent Anthony Davis to 
Dallas. Expectations were he'd get it right and understand his role in 
living up to Laker standards. Even with highs and lows, this team 
overachieved with Doncic in the lineup. With LeBron James playing elite 
basketball at age forty, it's time for everyone to channel championship 
pedigree. 

What I mean is being a Laker isn't like other teams; there's rich history 
and aura which players must live up to. Making the playoffs isn't good 
enough and losing in round one. That's inexcusable by Laker standards; 
it's one thing to lose in round two or conference finals, but round one? 
Doncic needs to really hit the gym, change his offseason regime and put 
the necessary discipline in becoming a reliable number one option. Diet 
has been a concern to his weight issues.  

I don't care about scoring 30-8-8 every night; can you be solid defender 
and stop whining for not getting whistles? Give fans some quality 
defense in general? Improving your conditioning will help monitor soft 

tissue injuries moving forward. Doncic has to realize this isn't Dallas; 
what he did there doesn't matter to Los Angeles. 

As for this roster, a lot needs to change this offseason. Depth was a 
major concern after trading away Davis and Christie. Not having a 
reliable center, which fell through in the Mark Williams trade from 
Charlotte due to a physical. It would've been nice to have a center to 
stop Rudy Gobert. There will be moving pieces in trying to retool this 
roster around LeBron James. 

James suffered an MCL sprain in game five versus Minnesota and it   
hampered his play late in the game. Entering his twenty-third season  
and forty-one years of age, the Lakers offseason hinges on what his   
move will be. He has earned the right to sit out games and rest up for  
the important portion of Lakers basketball. A player whose offseason   
regime is well-known, Doncic needs to shape up and take a page out of 
James' book.

In the coming months, general manager Rob Pelinka will comb through 
and see what's available. Even if it means parting ways with several key 
players to win another championship in 2026. If there's another big 
trade behind the scenes, I wouldn't be shocked if it happens. Nobody is 
safe and if you know how Los Angeles does business, superstars 
become apart of the family. 

In closing, winning fifty games, Pacific Division isn't bad but winning a 
championship means more than what I mentioned. Championship 
pedigree and playing to Laker standards means more to fans. Winning a 
title in Los Angeles puts you among the purple and gold greats. There's 
work to be done and it starts this offseason for player to improve their 
conditioning and doing the necessary work in achieving a championship 
mindset and pedigree.