For much of the NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers fans were happy. The team played well enough to capture the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference behind an ageless LeBron James, and the front office was able to pull off a heist of a trade that landed them the future of their franchise, Luka Doncic. But it all came crashing down in the playoffs.
The Lakers were outmatched in the first round of the playoffs, getting outplayed thoroughly by a relentless Minnesota Timberwolves squad. Now, Doncic is under fire for his performance, James’ future is in doubt and no one knows what the Lakers roster will look like after this summer.
Many fingers have been pointed, but with the NBA handing out the Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year awards on Tuesday, the league has made clear whose fault it wasn’t.
JJ Redick gives instructions to LeBron James and other Los Angeles Lakers players.
Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick receive votes for major awards
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka received 1st, 2nd and 3rd place votes for Executive of the Year. Lakes head coach JJ Redick got five 3rd place votes for Coach of the Year.
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While that doesn’t mean they weren’t partly at fault for the Lakers’ playoff collapse, it does mean the league viewed both of their work this season as extremely good. Pelinka likely received votes for the Doncic trade more than anything, although the roster was solid as a whole.
Redick did a pretty great job overall, especially considering this was his first season as a head coach at any level. The Lakers’ future appears bright with Pelinka and Redick at the helm. The question is, who will the players be going forward?